Hearty Turkey Chili (Printable)

Lean ground turkey simmered with beans, tomatoes, and warming spices for a lighter take on classic comfort food.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped

→ Beans & Tomatoes

06 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes with juices
09 - 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

→ Liquids

10 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 2 tbsp chili powder
12 - 1 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
15 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
16 - 1 1/2 tsp salt
17 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
18 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Optional Toppings

19 - Chopped fresh cilantro
20 - Sliced green onions
21 - Shredded cheese
22 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt
23 - Lime wedges

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and red bell pepper; sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and chopped jalapeño; cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
03 - Add ground turkey to the pot. Cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5–7 minutes.
04 - Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to coat meat and vegetables evenly.
05 - Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to deepen flavor and remove raw taste.
06 - Pour in diced tomatoes with juices, drained black beans, kidney beans, and chicken broth. Stir until fully combined.
07 - Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
08 - Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or cayenne as needed. For thicker consistency, simmer uncovered for final 10 minutes.
09 - Ladle hot into bowls and garnish with desired toppings such as cilantro, green onions, cheese, sour cream, or lime wedges.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The ground turkey absorbs those warming spices beautifully, creating depth without the heaviness of traditional chili
  • It comes together in one pot and actually tastes better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd
02 -
  • Letting the chili rest for even 10 minutes off the heat allows the flavors to marry and intensify
  • The tomato paste step might seem unnecessary, but it creates a richness that turkey alone cannot provide
03 -
  • Simmering longer only improves the flavor—if you have time, let it go for an hour
  • The chili thickens as it cools, so do not worry if it seems thinner than you expect
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