Hearty Turkey Chili Flavor (Printer-friendly)

A hearty blend of ground turkey, beans, tomatoes, and spices creating a comforting, protein-rich meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound 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 (optional)

→ 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 tablespoons chili powder
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
16 - 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
17 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

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

# Directions:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and red bell pepper; sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and chopped jalapeño; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper over the mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat evenly.
05 - Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to enhance depth of flavor.
06 - Pour in diced tomatoes with juices, drained beans, and chicken broth. Stir to combine all ingredients.
07 - Bring mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, partially cover, and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot with desired optional toppings.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's packed with protein but somehow lighter than traditional chili, leaving you satisfied without that heavy food coma.
  • The spices build in layers so it tastes like you spent hours on it, even though you're done in under an hour.
  • Ground turkey is forgiving and affordable, and it takes seasoning beautifully without overpowering the other flavors.
02 -
  • If you skip the minute of cooking the spices into the turkey, they'll taste flat and one-dimensional no matter how much you use—that blooming step is non-negotiable.
  • Rinsing your canned beans matters more than you'd think. It gets rid of the starchy liquid that can make the chili gummy, and suddenly it has the right body instead of feeling sludgy.
  • Taste as you go and don't oversalt at the beginning. The flavors concentrate as it simmers, and you can always add more salt but you can't take it out.
03 -
  • Make extra and freeze it. It actually tastes better a few days later or even after a month in the freezer, when all the spices have had time to really settle into each other.
  • If your chili tastes bitter or the turkey tastes slightly off, you probably browned it on heat that was too high. Medium heat and patience are your friends here.
  • Don't be shy about adjusting the jalapeño and cayenne. You can always add heat, but you can't take it away, so start conservative and build from there.
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