Turkey Chili is a flavor-packed take on our usual chili with ground turkey, tomatoes, veggies, and beans simmered in a tomato based sauce.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights For Turkey Chili
- Flavor: This turkey chili recipe is filled with flavorful herbs and spices but isn’t spicy. You can add a little heat if you’d like.
- Skill level: It’s easy to make with just one pot and a few basic ingredients—perfect for any skill level!
- Prep ahead: Onions and peppers can be chopped several days in advance. This chili also reheats well; it’s great to make on the weekend and enjoy throughout the week.
- Serving: Healthy turkey chili can be served straight from a crock pot for game days and potlucks and tastes just as delicious as beef chili!
- Freezing: great for meal prep, it reheats beautifully and freezes well for up to 4 months, so make a double batch to enjoy later.
Ingredient Tips for Turkey Chili
- Meat: Use lean ground turkey; extra lean doesn’t have enough fat and can be dry. This can be made with leftover roast turkey as well.
- Beans: Kidney beans hold their shape well in a hearty chili, but any beans will do. If using canned beans, be sure they are drained and rinsed first.
- Sauce: Rotel tomatoes are pre-seasoned with green chiles. You can also use fire-roasted tomatoes. Tomato sauce can be replaced with canned crushed tomatoes.
Variations and Serving
- Add extra vegetables like diced zucchini or mushrooms.
- The chili powder in this recipe is mild, so feel free to add chopped jalapenos or a bit of cayenne pepper.
Serving Suggestions
- Top bowls of chili with sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Add shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, and sliced green onions.
Got Some to Save?
Leftover turkey chili can be kept in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in zippered bags in the freezer for up to 4 months.
It can then be reheated on the stovetop on medium heat, in the microwave, or a crockpot or slow cooker. Serve it up on game day with some homemade cornbread.
More Favorite Ground Turkey Recipes
Did your family enjoy this Turkey Chili? Leave us a rating and comment below!
Turkey Chili Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey or ground chicken
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
- 15 ounces canned red kidney beans 1 can, drained and rinsed
- 10.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with chilies 1 can, such as Rotel
- 1 cup chicken broth or beef broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 bell pepper red or green, chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Brown ground turkey, onion, garlic, and chili powder in a large pot until no pink remains.
- Add beans, diced tomatoes, broth, tomato sauce, bell pepper, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the chili to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce the heat to a simmer, and let simmer uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes or until thickened. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper.
Notes
- Use lean ground turkey in this recipe or replace with any ground meat of your choice. 2-3 cups of leftover diced turkey can be used in place of ground turkey.
- To make prep quick, while the turkey is browning, prepare the remaining ingredients.
- The chili will thicken as it simmers, for a thicker chili, simmer longer.
- As with most chili recipes, this makes great leftovers and reheats well.
- Keep turkey chili in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 4 months. Reheat on the stovetop until heated through.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Turkey
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Oh my gosh Holly, this is the best chili ever! So much better with ground turkey and the perfect combination of spices. The leftovers will be amazing. My family loved it! I paired it with cornbread. I would love to try a cornbread recipe from you. Thank you.
That sounds delicious, Monika! I am glad they enjoyed it so much.
Best chili ever!
Made this just now! Delicious. I used vegetable broth and a little chicken bouillon, also some complete seasoning and a bit of cayenne pepper. Truly delicious.
I am going to make this turkey chili!
I would love to hear what you think of it, Annie!
This chili is delicious! It is easy to make and very flavorful. I made it exactly as written except I added a little extra of the liquids and seasonings and chopped a half of a jalapeno and put it in for more heat. Loved it! Will definitely make it again.
This is one of my favorite recipes for Chili! I’ve made it a number of times…so easy and tastes delish! Leftovers taste great too! Highly recommend!!
Thank you, Sandy! I am so happy you enjoyed it.
So glad everyone enjoyed it, Sandy!
made your shrimp bisque to share with in laws who are hard to please
It was a great success
Thanks
Jane
So happy to hear everyone enjoyed it, Jane!
Please note that this is also Weight Watchers friendly
Thanks for letting us know!
My go to chili recipe. I enjoy how its forgiving if I don’t have all the exact ingredients.
Thanks, Alison! Happy to hear that.
I just found this recipe and am making it today for football Sunday! It looks amazing and delicious and predict this will go into our regular rotation!
Thanks, Penny!!
Excellent recipe. I just added the cayenne pepper like my chili a little hot.
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Steve!
This is by far one of the best chili recipes that I’ve tasted. I’m glad I doubled the recipe! I plan to include this chili during our Super Bowl festivities this winter.
I’m so glad to hear you loved this recipe Rose!
I really enjoyed this recipe. There are so many Chili variations but this was perfect for me. I am trying to lose a little weight so the usage of ground Turkey was great. The spices were perfect. Thank you!
We are so happy you enjoyed this recipe, Anne Marie!
Can this be converted to a slow cooker?
It should work fine Sue. You might like double it as a slow cooker works best when it’s at least half full, and add a little less liquid as less evaporation takes place in the slow cooker. For times and temperatures you can reference this easy crock pot chili!
I am cooking this on Saturday.
Enjoy Alane!
I have been trying to eat a little healthier and stumbled across this recipe. It was soooo good! I will be using this recipe for chili from now on.
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Rebecca!
I made this recipe as is, with the exception of adding additional beans because of can size. It is amazing! On the hotter side, which I love:) I will continue to use this recipe for a long time.
So glad you loved it Susan!
very good!
Why is raw ground Turkey included in a recipe for “left-over turkey”?
This can be made with leftover turkey. If you do not have leftover turkey, ground turkey can be used and will need to be browned per the recipe.
Hi, Just wondering do you know how much is actually in a serving? I know it serves 6 but didn’t want to have to measure out cupfuls if someone already knew. I have to measure so I can count my points Thank you!
Each serving is approximately 1-1 1/2 cups. Enjoy Denise!
Thanks Holly, for this much healthier Chili! I decided to serve it on game day (I’ll have to triple the recipe) along with several other goodies for our guests. I’m sure the ladies will also love it, and will ask for the recipe. I will direct them to your wonderful blog.
You’re welcome! I’m sure they will love it too!