Best Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe (2024)

This Turkey Chili recipe combines lean ground turkey, a simple blend of chili spices and the convenience of canned chili beans to create an easy, crowd-pleasing, family-friendly meal that tastes as if it has been simmering for hours.

Easy Turkey Chili

A warm bowl of chili piled up with your favorite toppings is the ultimate comfort food, especially on a cold day. The perfect one-pot meal to serve for dinner, game day and parties.

Although you may be thinking about the classic beef chili, I can guarantee this easy turkey chili recipe will satisfy all your chili cravings!

Healthy Chili Recipe Ingredients

• Ground Turkey: I use lean ground turkey (white meat only). A combination of turkey breast and dark meat can be used also. Ground chicken or lean ground beef are good substitutions.
• Canned Chili Beans: Red kidney beans, pinto beans (or a combination of both) and black beans are canned in a mild chili gravy. Choose your favorite bean variety and heat level (mild/medium/hot).
• Broth: I use chicken broth. Use low sodium broth if preferred. Vegetable broth or beef broth can be used.
• Chili Spice Blend: Chili powder, ground cumin, oregano, paprika, onion powder, and ground cloves. Don’t skip the ground cloves. It gives the chili amazing flavor. Cayenne pepper can be added to add a bit of heat.
• Canned Tomatoes: I use two different types of canned tomatoes. Crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel). Tomato sauce and fire roasted diced tomatoes are good substitutions.
• Masa Harina: Sold in the ethnic or Hispanic section of the grocery store. Masa harina is also use to make corn tortillas and tamales. It’s used as a thickener and gives the chili its distinct flavor.

How to Make Turkey Chili (Step by Step)

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and green bell pepper and cook until the onions are soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for about a minute.
2. Add the ground turkey to the pot and cook until no longer pink.
3. Stir in the spices and bouillon. Add diced and crushed tomatoes, beans and broth. Simmer.
4. Make a slurry by combining masa harina with broth. Stir in the masa harina mixture. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently.

Favorite Chili Toppings

Add all your favorite things! Here are some topping ideas:

• Sour cream
• Shredded cheese
• Tortilla chips
• Green onions
• Avocado
• Onion
• Cilantro

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

If you prefer to make this recipe in the slow cooker, sauté the onion and bell pepper in a large skillet, then add the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink. Transfer this mixture to the crockpot and add the rest of the ingredients. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours.

Making Ahead, Storage, Freezing and Reheating

Can Turkey Chili Be Made Ahead of Time?

Yes! Chili actually tastes better the day after it is made. I usually make it 1-2 days ahead of time.

How Do I Store Chili?

After cooling completely, store the chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Can I Freeze Chili?

Yes, turkey chili freezes very well. Cool the turkey chili completely and store it in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag (remove as much air as possible from the bag). Freeze for 2 months.

Reheating: You can reheat chili in a stockpot over medium heat. For individual servings, reheat in the microwave until heated through.

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