I love making this ground turkey chili when I want something hearty, flavorful, and fast. It’s packed with veggies, beans, and a simple homemade seasoning blend that brings everything together.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- The mix of fire-roasted tomatoes, green chilis, and chili powder adds a smoky depth that tastes like it simmered all day. No shortcuts here, just the right combination of ingredients.
- Using ground turkey keeps it lighter without sacrificing flavor. It holds up perfectly in the pot and soaks in all that seasoning.
- This chili is a great way to clean out the fridge. I’ve thrown in extra veggies, swapped beans, and it always turns out great, a lot like my venison chili recipe.
- I like to double the batch and freeze leftovers for busy weeks. It’s one of those meals that tastes even better the next day.
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Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Ground turkey: Lean and packed with protein, it’s the base of this chili. You can substitute with ground beef or ground chicken depending on your preference.
- Yellow onion: Adds a sweet, savory flavor once sautéed. White onion will work in a pinch.
- Red and green bell peppers: These add sweetness, crunch, and color. Feel free to use just one type if that’s what you have.
- Garlic: Four cloves bring depth and a strong aromatic base to the chili.
- Fire roasted diced tomatoes: These add a smoky tomato flavor. Regular diced tomatoes can be used, but the fire roasted variety adds more richness.
- Chili beans: Usually pinto beans in chili sauce. You can swap with more black beans or kidney beans if needed.
- Black beans: Add texture and a bit of earthiness. Be sure to drain them to avoid extra liquid.
- Tomato paste: Gives the chili body and richness. Adds a more concentrated tomato flavor than canned tomatoes.
- Chopped green chilis: Mild heat and flavor without overwhelming spice. You can omit if sensitive to spice.
- Sweet corn: Adds a slight sweetness and balances the spice. Frozen or fresh both work well.
- Water: Thins out the chili to the right consistency. Adjust based on how thick or soupy you prefer it.
- Chili seasoning: A blend of chili powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and black pepper. You can double the recipe and store it for later use if you like.
How to Make Ground Turkey Chili
Preparation
Chop the onion and bell peppers, mince the garlic, and measure out your seasonings. Drain the black beans and set all ingredients near the stove for easy access.
Step 1 – Brown the Turkey
In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove the turkey from the pan and set aside.
Step 2 – Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, add the chopped onions, red and green bell peppers, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent and fragrant. Add a touch more olive oil if needed to prevent sticking.
Step 3 – Add Remaining Ingredients
Return the cooked turkey to the pot. Stir in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, chili beans, drained black beans, tomato paste, green chilis, corn, water, and homemade chili seasoning. Mix everything together until well combined.
Step 4 – Simmer the Chili
Bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Let it cook uncovered for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 5 – Serve
Ladle into bowls and serve warm. Add your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or green onions, if desired.
Lynette’s Tip
Double the chili seasoning and store the extra in a small jar. That way, the next time you make this chili, your spice mix is ready to go. It also works great for tacos and roasted veggies.
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Ground Turkey Chili
Ingredients
Chili Base
- 1 lb fresh ground turkey
- 1 Cup yellow onion chopped
- 1/2 Cup red bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 Cup green bell pepper chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 28 oz fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 15 oz chili beans
- 15 oz black beans drained
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 4 oz chopped green chilis
- 3/4 Cup frozen or fresh sweet corn
- 2 1/2 Cups water
Homemade chili seasoning {makes 2 Tablespoons}
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon. cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add a little olive oil, then cook the ground turkey until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Once browned, remove the turkey from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the onions are soft and fragrant. If the vegetables start to stick, add a small splash of olive oil.
- Return the cooked turkey to the pot, then add the remaining ingredients. Stir well to combine everything.
- Bring the chili to a gentle simmer and cook for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to come together.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.
Notes
Variations/Substitutions:
- Make it Spicier: Add chopped jalapeños, chipotle peppers, or a pinch of cayenne for more heat.
- Go Meatless: Leave out the meat and add another can of beans or cooked lentils for a meat-free version.
- Add Extra Vegetables: Stir in chopped zucchini, mushrooms, or carrots for more flavor and texture.
Nutrition
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Brown the meat and sauté the vegetables first, then add everything to your slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.
The recipe has mild to moderate heat. If you want more spice, add extra chili powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or hot sauce.
Definitely. Ground beef works just as well in this recipe and brings a slightly richer flavor.
