Discover the ultimate Southwestern Turkey Chili recipe! Easy, healthy, and bursting with flavor, it's your new go-to for weeknight comfort.
This Turkey Chili recipe is the perfect blend of hearty and healthy! Made with lean ground turkey, fresh veggies, and a kick of Southwestern spices, it’s a flavorful bowl of comfort that won’t weigh you down. Like our Traditional Beef Stroganoff, It’s a family favorite that's ideal for meal prep. It keeps well in the fridge for easy lunches or dinners all week.
As a “meat and potatoes” guy, Keith knows it’s tough to swap beef for lighter options. That’s why he created this Turkey Chili. It's bold, hearty and robust, perfect for anyone craving a satisfying meal without the guilt.
Pair it with: Skillet Cornbread or Tuscan White Bean Salad for a complete meal.
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Ingredients
- TURKEY: we like 93% lean 7% fat ground turkey for this recipe
- CARROTS: fresh carrots, diced
- ONIONS: yellow onions or white unions, diced
- GARLIC: fresh garlic cloves
- PEPPERS: we like sweet bell peppers for color: yellow peppers, orange peppers or red peppers
- MUSHROOMS: button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms
- BLACK BEANS: we used canned black beans, drained
- CORN: frozen yellow corn works in the winter months or fresh sweet corn
- CHILI POWDER: ground dried chili powder
- CUMIN: dried cumin
- CAYENNE PEPPER: dried cayenne pepper add spice
- RED PEPPER: crushed red pepper flakes
- TOMATO PASTE: concentrated tomato paste
- WATER: tap water or distilled water
- OLIVE OIL: use the best quality extra virgin olive oil you can afford
*see recipe card for quantities.
🔪Top tip
You can regulate the amount of heat in this recipe by adding or reducing cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a large stockpot add olive oil, diced onions, diced carrots and chopped garlic and sauté over medium high heat for 10 minutes.
- Add turkey and continue to cook until browned (about 10 minutes)
- Add all spices and mix thoroughly.
- Add diced peppers and black beans and combine.
- Add mushrooms and tomato paste and cook for 5 minutes stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat to medium and add water and yellow peppers and cover and simmer for 45 minutes stirring frequently.
- Top with Cilantro and sour cream (to taste)
Optional toppings: jalapeños, avocados, shredded cheese, tortilla chips
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Featured review
❝ My family LOVES this recipe!! It is a staple in our house!! Delicious and easy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Variations
- LEFTOVER TURKEY: you can use substitute fresh turkey (think leftover Thanksgiving turkey) for for this recipe
- GROUND BEEF OR GROUND CHICKEN: substitute ground beef or ground chicken works great as a protein substitute
- SLOW COOKER: to make this recipe in a slow cooker, brown the turkey first, then combine all ingredients and cook on low for 6–8 hours.
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in the microwave or in a sauce pan over low heat.
FAQ
Turkey chili is a hearty dish made with ground turkey, beans, vegetables, and bold spices. It’s a healthier twist on traditional beef chili.
The best spices for turkey chili include chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and cayenne. Add smoked paprika for a bold, smoky flavor.
Yes! For a slow cooker, brown the turkey first, then combine all ingredients and cook on low for 6–8 hours. In an Instant Pot, use the sauté function for browning, then pressure cook for 15 minutes.
Yes, turkey chili is often healthier because ground turkey is leaner and lower in saturated fat than beef.
Yes, turkey chili tastes even better the next day! Make it ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
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Turkey Chili recipe
Discover the ultimate Southwestern Turkey Chili recipe! Easy, healthy, and bursting with flavor, it's your new go-to for weeknight comfort.
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 mins
- Yield: 2 ½ quarts 1x
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 C diced carrots
- 1 C diced yellow onions
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ C pepper (we used yellow ones)
- 1 C chopped mushrooms
- 1 C black beans (canned), drained
- 1 C frozen yellow corn
- 2 TBSP Chili powder
- 1 TBSP Cumin
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper
- 5 oz tomato paste
- 4 C water
- 4 tbsp Olive Oil
Instructions
- In a large stockpot add olive oil, diced onions, diced carrots and chopped garlic and sauté over medium high heat for 10 minutes.
- Add turkey and continue to cook until browned (about 10 minutes)
- Add all spices and mix thoroughly.
- Add diced peppers and black beans and combine.
- Add mushrooms and tomato paste and cook for 5 minutes stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat to medium and add water and yellow peppers and cover and simmer for 45 minutes stirring frequently.
- Top with Cilantro and sour cream (to taste)
- Optional toppings: jalapeño, shredded cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: American
Tony C says
Outstanding! Love this!!
Dave D says
When do I add the corn, and how is "yellow peppers" different from "diced peppers" in the instructions?
Supermancooks says
Sorry for omitting the corn, place the corn in when you put the peppers in. Yellow peppers are what we used, we diced them and they are the same as the "diced peppers".
Thanks for the comments and hope you enjoy.
Cindy says
My family LOVES this recipe!! It is a staple in our house!! Delicious and easy!
Jackie says
This is so great to hear Cindy! Thanks so much!!