This Turkey Chili recipe is healthy, hearty and filling and packed with lean ground turkey, veggies, and beans! It’s an easy-to-make family meal that’s ready in 30 minutes! Follow our tips to make the best ground turkey chili on the stovetop, in the Instant Pot, or in the slow cooker.
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Chili is one of the most popular comfort foods and this healthy Turkey Chili recipe is one of our favourites! It’s so warm and comforting, it’s filling and hearty, and it’s one of our favourite recipes for meal prep and busy weeknights with the family.
If you’re a fan of chili but want to stick to a healthier diet, this ground turkey chili is a great alternative to conventional chili. It’s made with lean ground turkey so it’s lower in fat, it’s packed with veggies and beans, making it high in fibre. It’s absolutely delicious served with baked or roasted potatoes (or sweet potatoes), over nachos, on top of some whole grain pasta, or all on its own in a bowl with some sour cream, shredded cheese, or diced avocados on top.
It’s one of our family’s go-to easy meals and I know you’re going to love it as much as we do!
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Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned home cook, here are all our best helpful tips and tricks to making the BEST homemade healthy turkey chili!
For added flavour, always brown your ground turkey before adding it to your chili. It enhances the flavour of the chili tremendously and it also creates a great texture.
One of the best things about chili is its flavour, so don’t skip the dried herbs and spices that give this turkey chili its delicious taste!
Vegetables up the health factor of this dish, no doubt, but they also add a lot of flavour and texture. The carrots add sweetness and the celery adds a spicy flavour that makes this chili delicious.
When we make chili, adding beans in tomato sauce is the BEST way to save time. That’s what makes it possible to throw together this chili in 30 minutes or less! It also adds a ton of flavour.
We know, we know – 30 minutes is a really short cooking time for chili. The beauty of this recipe is, you can make it in as little as 30 minutes OR you can let it simmer for hours on low on the stove or in the crock pot!
A big bowl of this turkey chili is just begging for toppings like diced onions, shredded cheese, chopped avocado and even sour cream. These toppings add so much flavour!
Here’s a list of the kitchen equipment you’ll need to make this delicious ground turkey chili recipe (paid links):
- a Cutting Board
- a large knife
- a Garlic Press
- a wooden spoon
- liquid measuring cup
- Large Pot or large dutch oven pot
- Strainer
Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious ground turkey chili recipe (paid links):
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 3 medium carrots chopped
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon mild chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cans beans in tomato sauce 15 ounce cans
- 15 ounces canned kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken stock
- diced red onions, avocado, shredded cheese, and sour cream for serving (optional)
Looking to try something new? Try one of these delicious variations on the basic healthy turkey chili recipe!
- Spicy Turkey: For those who love a kick, increase the amount of chili powder, cayenne pepper, or even add diced jalapeños to the recipe.
- Vegetarian: Use a plant-based ground meat substitute and vegetable broth as alternatives, without losing that classic chili texture.
- Sweet Potato: Add cubes of sweet potato for a sweeter version that adds both nutrition and flavour.
- Quinoa: Add cooked quinoa at the end of cooking for a unique texture and added protein and fibre.
- Pumpkin: Introduce canned pumpkin or chopped fresh pumpkin and a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg for a fall-inspired version.
- Corn and Black Beans: Add corn and black beans for a Southwestern twist on this basic recipe.
- Beer: Add your favourite beer to the chili instead of the chicken stock. Be sure to let it cook well before serving.
Time needed: 30 minutes
Here’s how to make the BEST ground turkey chili recipe!
- Cook the meat first.
Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Brown the turkey for about 5 minutes then add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, spices, and salt.
- Soften the veggies next.
Continue cooking for a few minutes more, just until the veggies begin to soften.
- Use canned beans in tomato sauce.
Add the beans, canned tomatoes, tomato puree, and stock and stir everything together well.
- Add the liquid and simmer.
Place the lid on the pot and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring regularly. You can also turn the heat to low and cook for up to one hour on low heat, stirring regularly.
- Serve with your favourite toppings.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream, chopped red onions, avocado, cheese, or whatever toppings you like!
- Start the Instant Pot on “Saute” mode and let it heat up. Wait until the screen says “Hot” and then add the olive oil and the turkey.
- Brown the turkey for about 5 minutes, then add the veggies, spices, and salt.
- Continue sauteing for a few minutes more, just until the veggies begin to soften.
- Add the beans, canned tomatoes, tomato puree, and stock and stir everything together well. Add an extra half cup of stock when you’re making chili in the Instant Pot to prevent the burn notice.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal the lid. Place the release valve on “sealing”.
- Cook for 10 minutes on “Pressure Cook”.
- When the Pressure Cook time is finished, carefully turn the release valve to “venting” using a long pair of tongs or another long kitchen tool so you don’t burn your hand, arm or face. It’s a good idea to do this under an exhaust fan in your kitchen, if you have one.
- When the pressure has released, open the lid and serve.
- Cook the turkey and veggies as directed in a skillet.
- Add all ingredients to your slow cooker.
- Cover, and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.
Can I add extra vegetables to my turkey chili?
Yes! Feel free to add up to one cup of extra chopped veggies.
Can I make my chili without beans?
Yes, feel free to add extra veggies, like chopped sweet potatoes, instead of beans. In place of the beans with tomato sauce, add canned diced tomatoes. The end result will be more liquid-y, like a thick soup.
What’s the secret to thick chili?
Avoid adding too much liquid to ensure your chili stays thick. You can also cook it for a longer period of time so the flavours blend well and the extra liquid evaporates.
Can you freeze turkey chili?
Yes! Freeze it in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Defrost in the fridge for 24 hours before reheating and serving.
How do I make my chili spicier?
Add some chili flakes, cayenne pepper or other spice to your chili to make it spicy. You can also serve it with chopped jalapeños for added heat.
What are some good toppings for turkey chili?
We love topping our turkey chili with red onions, avocado, sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese, but you can also add chopped tomatoes, a scoop of guacamole, crushed tortilla chips, or anything else you like!
Can I make turkey chili ahead of time?
Yes! Feel free to make it and serve it within 3 days of cooking. Be sure to store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to reheat and serve. Reheat it in the microwave or in a pot on the stove over medium-low heat.
We hope you love this ground turkey chili recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, how would you enjoy this healthy chili recipe? With baked potatoes? Over nachos? All on its own? We’d love to know!
More Delicious Meal Ideas
- Instant Pot Vegan Chili
- Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili (Slow Cooker)
- Easy Korean Beef Rice Bowls
- Easy Healthy Turkey Veggie Meatballs
- One Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
- Easy Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls
- One Pan Chicken Alfredo Pasta
- Minestrone Soup
- Instant Pot Fried Rice with Chicken
Watch the video below to see exactly how we make this recipe. You can find many more deliciously simple recipe videos on our YouTube channel!
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Turkey Chili
Recipe: Equipment
Recipe: Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 3 medium carrots chopped
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon mild chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cans beans in tomato sauce 15 ounce cans
- 15 ounces canned kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken stock
- diced red onions, avocado, shredded cheese, and sour cream for serving (optional)
Recipe: Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil.
- Brown the turkey for about 5 minutes then add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, spices, and salt.
- Continue cooking for a few minutes more, just until the veggies begin to soften.
- Add the beans, canned tomatoes, tomato puree, and stock and stir everything together well.
- Place the lid on the pot and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring regularly. You can also turn the heat to low and cook for up to one hour on low heat, stirring regularly.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream, chopped red onions, avocado, cheese, or whatever toppings you like!
Recipe: Notes
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover chili in the fridge for 3 daysFreezer Instructions
This recipe freezes well and can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months.Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
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