Healthy Turkey Chili
95 Comments
Updated Oct 02, 2024
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This turkey chili satisfies your cold-weather cravings in one big pot. It’s comforting, wildly flavorful, easy to make, and all sorts-of-healthy thanks to ground turkey, kidney beans, and loads of veggies.
A big pot of turkey chili is good for the soul. Chili is one of those meals that makes you feel cozy, nourished, and satisfied. That’s why I have recipes for beef chili, white chicken chili, and vegetarian chili. I’m all about options!
But if you favor ground turkey meat, this turkey chili can’t be beat! It’s hearty, perfectly spiced, and has a little kick of heat, without being overpowering. Just enough to warm you up on a cold fall or winter day.
Turkey Chili Recipe Ingredients
Like my other chili recipes, the ingredients for this turkey chili are budget-friendly and pantry-friendly! Here’s what you will need:
- Ground Turkey: Any type of ground turkey works here, whether it’s dark or white meat. Alternatively, you can use shredded turkey if you make this after Thanksgiving!
- Vegetables & Beans: Onion, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, garlic, and kidney beans are chili essentials for that deliciously chunky texture. Bonus – kidney beans are loaded with various minerals, vitamins, fibers, and antioxidants!
- Liquid Base: The base requires a mix of diced tomatoes (I’m using fire-roasted tomatoes for extra flavor), tomato paste, and chicken broth.
- Spices: The layers of chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano really amp up the flavor.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below
How To Make The Best Turkey Chili
The key here is to add layers of flavor, and then let the entire pot of chili slowly simmer so all of the flavors can meld together. Here’s how to make it:
Cook the veggies. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Saute the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno pepper for 4 to 5 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent. Then, add the garlic and stir for another 30 seconds.
Add the turkey. Add the ground turkey, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, until it’s cooked through.
Pour in the spices and chili base. Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and salt. Stir for another minute, until fragrant. Then add the canned tomatoes with juices, drained beans, and chicken broth, then stir together.
Boil and simmer. Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Top Your Chili With Fresh Ingredients
Good news — you have lots to choose from when it comes to chili toppings.
- Cheese. Choose from white cheddar, yellow cheddar, or even Cotija cheese. You could also dollop some sour cream for a cool and creamy touch.
- Veggies: Sprinkle some sliced green onions, red onions, yellow onions, or radishes.
- Fruits: Add a little heat with diced pickled or fresh jalapeños, or diced avocados for a creamy bite.
- Herbs: Chopped parsley or cilantro always adds a fresh green pop.
Storage And Meal Prep Tips
This is hands down one of the best recipes for meal prep — it freezes well and reheats beautifully!
- Store in the fridge: Leftovers are always a delight to enjoy throughout the week. Pour into airtight containers and store in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.
- Freeze for later: Freeze the chili for up to 3 months in Souper Cubes or freezer-safe containers. Just make sure to let it cool before storing away.
- To reheat: Thaw it in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stove top or in the microwave.
More One-Pot Meals For Busy Weeknights
These flavorful, one-and-done meals will make your busy weeknights flow a lot smoother. You can never go wrong with stew and soup recipes!
- Taco Soup – It’s almost like chili, but with a zesty taco spin.
- Stuffed Pepper Soup – If you love stuffed peppers, you’ll love this soup version!
- Avgolemono Soup – This Greek lemon chicken and rice soup is a winner.
- Lentil Soup – A light and fresh lentil soup with Mediterranean flavor.
- Irish Lamb Stew – Lamb meat lightens up the classic beef stew recipe.
If you make this turkey chili recipe, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below. And if you’ve got leftover ground turkey, these delicious turkey burger patties or turkey meatloaf should be next.
Healthy Turkey Chili
Description
Video
Equipment
- Dutch Oven My favorite large pot for chili recipes!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, de-seeded and diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ pounds ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon paprika (or smoked paprika)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 (28-ounce can) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 (15-ounce cans) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno pepper and saute for 4 to 5 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent. Add the garlic and stir for another 30 seconds.
- Add the ground turkey, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, until it's cooked through.
- Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and salt. Stir for another minute, until fragrant.
- Add the canned tomatoes with juices, drained beans, and chicken broth, then stir together.
- Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- To serve, ladle servings into individual bowls. Garnish with sour cream, avocado, green onion, cheese, cilantro, or any other toppings.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Recipe originally published January 2023, but updated to include new photos and information for your benefit!
Wow this was amazing! Followed recipe as is with only 2 tweaks. Left the seeds in the jalapeño as I’m a hot head and 2 small cans of green chilies. Will add diced celery next time. Thanks Lisa for all your great recipes!
Thrilled to hear you love this turkey chili recipe, Christopher!
So good and so dumb easy. Super healthy Lisa has done it again!
Thrilled to hear you’re loving this turkey chili, Christopher!
This chili was delicious! I used a crock pot that saute’s the meat and vegetables, Then slow cooked for an hour or so
Thrilled to hear you enjoyed this turkey chili in the slow cooker!
Looks great! I just wish I knew how to do this in a slow cooker instead of on top of the stove. Any help or advice for us, Lisa?
Thanks!
I’d recommend cooking the turkey, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and garlic on the stove first, then transferring that to your Crockpot along with the rest of the ingredients. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours.
Wonderful! It’s the dish I need this first cold autumn day. Taste, smell and spices were awesome! Thanks a lot!
Amazing! Happy to hear you’re loving this turkey chili recipe.
Just perfect and so so easy! I admire what you are doing and your accomplishments!! You are my “go to” for recipes which never disappoint! I tell all my foodies about you!
Thanks for spreading the love and glad you enjoyed this turkey chili recipe, Marie!
I made this last night I’m not comfortable using jalapeño so I added half a can of Hot Rotel. This gave me the perfect kick. Your recipe is definitely going into my rotation of eating healthy dishes.
I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe, Janet!
Hello Lisa
I have a pretty large whole turkey breast, instead of ground turkey, shall I just shed it and add it to the pot?
Thx Larry J.
Hi Larry – Yes, you can add shredded turkey instead if you’d like!
What a great recipe! The flavor is wonderful!! We are big chili people and this one is so easy to make. Thank you Lisa
Hi Susan – Happy to hear this chili recipe was a hit!
Excellent recipe. Very easy .
Hi Luz – Happy to hear you enjoyed this turkey chili!
Excellent. My family loves it! It’s our go to chili recipe.
Hi Julie – Great to hear you found a go-to chili recipe now.
Absolutely delicious! Perfect seasoning. Our friends loved it! Another recipe in the rotation!
Happy to hear you love this turkey chili recipe!
I doubled this recipe for an impromptu family gathering. It came together fast, the seasonings were perfect. The smoky paprika makes the perfect difference. It’s our new family favorite.
Hi Nani – I’m glad this turkey chili was a hit for your family gathering!
Thank you, Lisa for creating another easy recipe! The Healthy Turkey chili was much better than my husband’s! he felt his turkey chili was the best. Now your Healthy Turkey chili wins! now I need to make a double batch for a meal prep.
Hi Cindy – Happy to hear both of you enjoyed this turkey chili recipe :)
I used this recipe with some left-over turkey from Thanksgiving. I have found all of Lisa’s recipes absolutely perfect, so expected nothing less. This one is way too tomatoey for me. When I dump in my ingredients for chili, I do not use tomato paste and only one can of petite cut tomatoes, and two cans of any kind of beans undrained. This recipe is also quite mild even with all the spices. I will now play with it, add beans and more spices to suit my taste. Hooray, I will have a freezer full of jars of chili beans for the winter.
By the way, when you use 2 T of tomato paste (which is standard for most recipes), what do you do with the rest of it?
about the tomato paste. I do two things. I try to buy it in the tubes so I can use what I want and then just keep it in the frig. I don;t use is often so this is perfect. If I do open a can, I cut up what I do not use into discs (about 1 T) and freeze the discs. When I need a T, I just take it out of the freezer and right into my dish.
Hi Lisa: I have been a subscriber for quite some time and have enjoyed cooking many of your great recipes. I actually won a “chili cookoff” reward for your Chicken Chili recipe. So, thank you for that!! Because I’m now cooking for a family member who restricts using specific ingredients in her recipes, I’d like to know what kind of alterations would you make to your Chicken Chili recipe without using any beans (starch). I thought, in leaving that out, I could thicken the sauce a bit using arrowroot or cornstarch. What do you think? Thank you again for your innovative and delicious meals. Judith Dearborn
Hi Judith – wow, that’s amazing to hear on the chili cookoff win! You can definitely leave the beans out and thicken with arrowroot or cornstarch. You could also add small diced potato or parsnips, then boil for about 15 to 20 minutes, if you’d like to keep some starch (just not beans) in the soup. Hope that helps!
What is the serving size?
I’d say each serving is about 1.5 cups.
I made the chili for dinner and it is very tasty! I added the Smokey paprika and jalapeño and it is spicy but still love it! It will be on my rotation. Best turkey chili !
Thanks
Hi Carole – I’m glad you love this turkey chili recipe!
I have made my own variation of turkey chili dozens of times, adding different vegetables, different beans, etc. I tried this recipe exactly as written a couple of weeks ago and for some reason it was truly the best I’ve ever had! Just the perfect combination of flavors. My husband loved it, too. I came back yesterday from vacation/ eating out for 10 days and I was dying to get home and make my own food. The first two items on my list were this chili and your cabbage soup! Thanks for all your great recipes.
Aw, thanks so much, Michelle! I’m thrilled you love this recipe. And I hear you on wanting to get back into the kitchen and cook after vacation. Enjoy the turkey chili!
Fabulous recipe. Will make it for the 2nd time tomorrow. When I am extra hungry in the mornings, I’ll make an omelette filled with some of this chili. So satisfying and keeps me going until lunch.
Thank you Lisa!
-Sandra
Love the idea of making an omelette with this turkey chili, Sandra!
Amazing taste and so nourishing! Perfect for small kids.
Happy to hear you and your little ones are loving this turkey chili!
My husband loves this recipe more than using ground beef. I make this at least once a month and always a double batch for the freezer. Yum! Especially on those cold, rainy days in the PNW.
An extra batch in the freezer is always a great idea!
How do I download pdf guide?
You can subscribe to the mailing list on the homepage :)
I’ve made this recipe three or four times now, it’s become our family’s go-to chili recipe! I grind chicken breasts with my food processor — purely for cost reasons — but that’s the only change I make. I love how Lisa’s recipes are clearly well-tested, delicious as written, super healthy, and easy to follow!
Excellent chili recipe. I doubled it to have leftovers to freeze. I only needed one cup of broth for the double recipe as the turkey produced a good amount of water. it tasted awesome despite the change. I will be sharing this with my friends!!
Thanks for leaving a review and hope your friends enjoy this chili recipe as well Verna!
Made this yesterday. Couldn’t ask for a heartier meal. Great one pot recipe!
Glad you enjoyed it Craig!
What is the serving size for the nutrition, please? 1.5 cups like your other chili recipe? I’m looking forward to making this, your other chili is my favorite. Thanks!
Yes, it will be about the same as my other chili recipe :)
I made this recipe tonight and it was AMAZING. My family did not realize it was turkey until I told them!!! Great flavours and super delicious. Perfect for these long, cold winter days!! Thank you once again Lisa!!!
Glad you’re loving this turkey chili recipe Karen!
This Turkey Chili was delicious! I wondered if the jalapeno would make it too spicy, but no, it was just a lovely mellow warmth. In place of kidney beans I used black beans, because that’s what I had on hand. This was filling and will definitely go into my repeat recipes. Thanks, Lisa.
Made this for dinner tonight. So good. Looking forward to having it again tomorrow night. Thank you for sharing such great recipes.
Glad you enjoyed this turkey chili recipe Tracy!
Delicious! Very quick and easy chili. I did add a bit more chili powder and a touch of cayenne and black pepper, for a bit more “kick” but that’s my personal preference. I’ll be making this a lot more! Thank you Lisa for so many great recipes!
Happy to hear you’re enjoying this turkey chili recipe Mary :)
I just made this tonight! It is delicious! I did add a small can of hatch peppers instead of jalapeños. Perfect. I love your recipes Lisa. And your story, I’ve been using them for years now. Your hummus and salsa are staples in my house. Along with others. I’ve shared your website with so many family and friends! Just purchased your book for my 35 yr old daughter as she is going gluten and dairy free because of her Hashimotos and high cholesterol her new holistic provider recommended! Thank you so much.
Lisa.
Happy to hear you’ve been enjoying so many Downshiftology recipes, and now this turkey chili :) Thanks again for leaving a review and sharing with your friends and family as well.
I made this over the weekend because I love the original beef chilli recipe. It is wonderful. The spice blend reminds me very much of the beef version but it’s a bit lighter feeling with turkey, and just as delicious. This will definitely be added to our rotation.
The only thing I did differently was 1 can of kidney beans and 1 of black beans (instead of 2x kidney beans), because that’s what I had in my cupboards.
Hi Sarah – yes, it’s very similar to the beef recipe. So I’m glad you love both! :)
This turkey chili is so delicious!!!! I added some hot sauce for heat. This is a keeper. Love your recipes Lisa
This turkey chili recipe is delicious. The recipe is very easy to make. I love the flavor.
Easy and delicious – another one to add to our family favourites! One question regarding the nutrients: 395kcal per 100g or portion (how big)? Thank you!
Hi Barbara – each serving is about 2 cups. Enjoy!
This turkey chili is amazing!! I made it for my mom’s birthday and she really enjoyed it as well as the rest of the family. I topped it off with some red onions, cilantro, sour cream, and cheese. It was delicious. Thanks for the recipe Lisa!
You’re more than welcome, Abby! So happy you and your mom both loved the recipe.
Delish! Subtituted kidney beans with what I had in my pantry (black beans and garbanzo beans).
Glad you were able to make use of what you had in the pantry!
This guilt free healthy comfort meal was so delicious! I felt satisfied after I ate a serving and made a double batch to freeze. So good!!!
So glad you enjoyed this turkey chili recipe Annette!
This recipe was easy and delicious! The spice blend is on point and the chili was so comforting on a cool evening. Thank you Lisa for all your amazing work!
Happy to hear you enjoyed this turkey chili recipe Teresa!
The flavor is wonderful!! Such an easy recipe!!
Blizzard and chili, perfect combo. Delicious!
Great recipe, as always. I noticed you do not drain the fat from the ground turkey after cooking. Do you feel this enhances the flavor or do you think it’s not necessary?
Hi Margaret – I don’t think it’s necessary in this recipe. :)
Loved it! Made 2x the recipe and froze in individual servings.
Glad you enjoyed this turkey chili Aimee!
This is a keeper! Healthy and satisfying. I made it without any 🌶️ since we don’t like the heat. Otherwise, I was faithful to your recipe. Please clarify if the 395 calories include which toppings are used. TIA
Hi Lauren – Happy to hear you loved this turkey chili! As for the nutritional information, that doesn’t include the toppings, just what is listed in the ingredients within the recipe card.
So comforting and yummy. Even my 1 year old enjoyed it. Will make this again for sure. Thank you for all of your recipes.
So happy you both loved the chili Sarah!
I have dried red beans. What would be the equivalent of dried verses canned? Also, would love any tips you would have to make beans more digestible?
Nutritious yet Yummiest Recipe I have ever gone through.
Unique blend of vegetables and turkey was just awesome.
Best part I can store it in the refregerator so no more worrying about the food plan list for a week.
Good One:) Lisa you are always the best
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Delicious! And so satisfying.
I made the beef chili recipe using ground venison. The spices were perfect. Even my husband who doesn’t like beans said it was good.
OMG, this is amazing. I love a good bowl of chilli, and making it with turkey is a winner for me. I added a little bit more chilli, as I love my chilli spicy.
Yes, definitely feel free to tweak the spice level to your liking. :) Happy you love it Tricia!
Another amazing recipe 😋 Very tasty
and delicious. Quick to put together, a healthier versions then canned and store bought. There were no leftovers after I made this for my family, they even wanted to lick the pot.
Awesome! I’m so happy you and your family loved the recipe Shelly!