Kinda obsessed with this Healthy Turkey Chili, it’s flavorful chunky broth, that slight heat, the yummy toppings that I overload my chili with…
This is a healthier spin on the more traditional chili. Ready under 30 minutes, we make this delicious guilt-free comfort food often every single year, especially when Fall starts to roll around, and never seem to get tired of it…
Why Healthy Turkey Chili
I recently discovered the beauty of ground turkey. Ground turkey is leaner and much healthier than ground beef. The thing with ground turkey is it doesn’t bring as much flavor as ground beef.
However, when you are cooking ground turkey in an ultra flavorful sauce with lots of spices (e.g. THIS recipe!), it is plenty flavorful! Using ground turkey isn’t all that different compared to using ground beef!
Traditionally, chili is made out of beef, but if you want a healthier, lighter spin that is equally delicious, this Simple Healthy Turkey Chili recipe is just as amazing and so much better for you!
As summer comes to a close and we gear up for Fall, chili is always one of the first meals I make. It’s a warm, comforting meal, kinda like getting a big ole hug from grandma.
All you need is 30 minutes of your time, a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients, and a big old pot. I use my dutch oven that I LOVE, but you can use any big pot that can fill everything.
One-pot meal. Easy weeknight (or weekend) dinner. Saves well for leftovers. Freeze well for make-ahead meals.
In fact, I doubled the recipe the last time I made this, and have a big Tupperware of this in my freezer. It’s ready for those emergency-nights when there is no food in the house but I don’t feel like eating out or grabbing fast food.
Ingredients
This simple chili recipe is made with pantry friendly ingredients:
- Ground turkey – ground chicken works as well.
- Kidney beans
- Corn – frozen, canned or fresh
- Tomatoes – canned petite diced tomatoes and tomato sauce
- Chicken broth – prevents soup from drying out when boiling
- Garlic – use fresh! Avoid garlic powder
- Onions – also use fresh! No onion powder please…it’s just not the same!
- Other spices – such as chili powder, smoked paprika and cumin.
Simple ingredients it’s gonna bring lots of amazing flavors!
The recipe will yield mild/medium in terms of level of spiciness. If you would like a spicier chili, add some cayenne pepper or fresh jalapeño to turn up the heat!
If you ask me, garnishes on chili is a must… Add all or some of the below:
- Sour cream – some added creaminess to make this chili super delicious…
- Shredded cheddar cheese – another layer of creaminess…
- Tortilla chips – bring on that crunchy texture!
- Jalapeño – more spice, anyone? 🙂
- Fresh cilantro – It brings a new flavor dimension and adds lots of freshness to the chili.
Let’s Make It!
It is seriously so easy. A one-pot meal ready under 30 minutes!
Start by adding oil, garlic and onions to the pot and saute until it is fragrant (do not brown). Then add ground turkey.
After that add the canned tomatoes and tomato sauce, chicken broth, along with spices.
Boil for ~10 minutes to bring together the flavors and also thicken the soup slightly.
Then add beans and corn, cooking for another a few minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste – remember that salt opens up the flavors a whole lot!
Then remove from heat and serve!
And don’t forget to garnish!
Remember: it’s not a crime to over-garnish. Under-garnishing, however, is a very small crime and will bring about a lack of deliciousness.
Substitution and Variation
This recipe is super versatile and you can definitely add or substitute with some of these ingredients. This is also a great way to use up what you have in your fridge or pantry.
- Ground chicken, beef or pork
- Jalapeño
- Other types of beans
- Other spices – cayenne (spicy!), oregano etc
- Red bell peppers
- Canned whole tomatoes or diced tomatoes (instead of canned petite diced)
- Sweet potatoes – probably my favorite add…check out my Turkey Sweet Potato Chili recipe to learn how to make it with sweet potatoes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or even freeze in freezer until ready to eat! Only garnish when ready to eat. This is great as meal prep and make-ahead dinners.
Healthy Turkey Chili can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator or 2-3 months in the freezer.
When cooking the chili, add jalapeño and cayenne pepper…or both!
A simple chili recipe for the keeps. Make yourself a bowl (or two) today! 🧡
Other soup and stew favorites
- The Ultimate Beef Stew – My tried and true Beef Stew recipe to be made with a slow cooker, dutch oven or Instant Pot/pressure cooker!
- Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup – A chicken soup recipe for the soul! My version/twist to the Greek classic soup.
- Simple Tomato Soup – Make your tomato soup from scratch and you will never look at store bought ones the same way again!
- Ravioli Tomato Beef Soup
- Chicken Enchilada Soup – by Restless Chipotle!
If you make this recipe PLEASE let me know how it goes in the comment box below, and share pictures of your creations on instagram by tagging #joyousapron! And while you are there, don’t forget to follow me!
Healthy Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 1 lbs ground turkey
- 1/2 large onion
- 5-7 cloves fresh garlic
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 28 oz canned petite diced tomatoes
- 15 oz canned tomato sauce
- 16 oz canned kidney beans
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 cup frozen corn
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Garnish
- shredded cheddar cheese
- sour cream
- jalapeño
Instructions
- Dice onions and mince garlic.
- In a large pot, add olive oil, diced onions and minced garlic. Cook under medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant. Do not brown or burn.
- Add ground turkey to pot, break up the ground turkey if it is clump together. Sprinkle one or two pinches of salt and pepper to turkey. Cook until turkey is almost done (no longer red/pink).
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin to pot. Bring to a boil, then lower to medium low heat, and cook for another 10 minutes.
- Add frozen corn and kidney beans (drained). Bring heat to medium high, cook for another few minutes or until liquid comes to a boil again. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional: Garnish with all of some of the garnish ingredients!
- Serve and enjoy!
Great smoky flavor! Love that it comes together so quickly.
I’m glad you like it! Thank you!!