This healthy turkey chili recipe is hearty and flavorful made with lean ground turkey, veggies and beans. A cozy meal that is easy make on the stovetop or slow cooker.
Filling soup recipes are so satisfying for game day or weeknight dinners! We also love crockpot chili, pumpkin chili and white chicken chili!
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Best Turkey Chili Recipe
A big bowl of hearty chili is my classic go-to dinner during the fall and winter. This homemade chili recipe, Wendy’s copycat chili, or this healthy turkey chili are some of the best comfort food.
Why You’ll Love It
- Protein packed. With beans and lean turkey, each healthy chili recipe serving has almost 30g protein with only 5g fat! Perfect for meal prep and freezer meals.
- Easy to make. Make this healthy turkey chili recipe in one pot on the stove or in the slow cooker. It’s thick, hearty and great with your favorite toppings and cornbread.
Easy Healthy Turkey Chili Ingredients
This lighter version with lean ground turkey, chili seasoning, and 3 types of beans, is a comforting meal any night of the week!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Ground turkey: I love how this lean meat helps lighten the chili and make it somehow turn this comfort food into a feel-good food.
- Veggies: You will need onion and red bell pepper. Corn is optional but adds both a sweet taste and nice color to the chili.
- Garlic: The minced garlic helps round out the onion and pepper and give a nice base for the chili.
- Chicken broth: I use chicken broth instead of beef broth to keep things light, but you could also use vegetable if you like.
- Tomatoes: I love the petite diced tomatoes for this chili as they give texture as well add a nice acidity to the base.
- Beans: This chili is all about the beans, using a mixture of kidney beans, black beans, and white chili beans.
- Spices: Chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt provide the perfect background to make all the other flavors shine.
Substitutions and Variations
- Protein. Just because this is a healthy turkey chili recipe doesn’t mean you can’t swap the meat for ground chicken or ground beef if you want.
- Vegetarian. You could make it without for a meat free version but may want to add some additional beans. Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth.
- Spicier. Add some cayenne pepper or use chipotle chili powder. You could also use chopped jalapenos for garnish.
- Veggies and beans. Add some carrots and celery with onion and pepper or use other beans such as chickpeas or cannellini beans.
How to Make Healthy Turkey Chili
You will love how simple this healthy turkey chili is to make in four easy steps and 30 minutes. It is one of those dump and go kind of meals.
- Brown. Heat the oil in a large pot on the stove top over medium-heat. Add in chopped onion, peppers and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent. Stir in the ground turkey and cook until lightly browned.
- Season. Drain any excess grease if needed, then stir in seasonings.
- Simmer. Next add in the chicken broth, tomatoes, beans and corn. Bring turkey chili to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve. Ladle turkey chili into bowls and add your favorite toppings like sour cream, sliced avocado, red onion and crushed tortilla chips. Enjoy!
Crockpot Version
Turn this easy turkey chili recipe into a slow cooker turkey chili. Nothing better than homemade chili simmering in the slow cooker all day.
- Simply follow the instructions, such as cooking the onions and ground turkey up until adding the seasonings.
- Then place the remaining ingredients in the slow cooker with the cooked turkey.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
Favorite Chili Toppings
There are so many yummy homemade turkey chili toppings, the possibilities almost seem endless.
- Sour cream: Add a dollop of sour cream to make it a little more creamy. Use Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: The cheese gets all melty and delicious…yum!
- Avocado or guacamole: Feel free to add some avocado slices or even a dollop of guacamole on top.
- Crunchy: Crushed tortilla strips or tortilla chips add the perfect crunch! Try cornbread croutons for something a little different.
- Cilantro: This Mexican herb that adds an extra oomph of fresh flavor to this chili with turkey.
- Green onions or red onions: I usually add about a Tablespoon of green or red onions.
Storing and Freezing Leftovers
Leftover healthy turkey chili is great for easy meals on busy weeknights.
- Store: Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Cool soup completely then place turkey chili in a freezer bag or airtight container. Store in the freezer for 3 months.
- Reheat: To reheat, thaw chili overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Looking for more recipes with ground turkey? You’ll also love my turkey meatloaf recipe, egg roll in a bowl and turkey meatballs.
More Chili Recipes
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Healthy Turkey Chili
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion , chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper , chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 2-3 Tablespoons chili powder , plus more to taste
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt , plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1-2 cups chicken broth (depending on how thick you like your chili)
- 2 (15-ounce) cans petite diced tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can dark red kidney beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can white chili beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 ½ cups corn (canned or frozen, optional)
Optional toppings: Shredded cheese, Sour cream, Cilantro, Avocados, Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Brown turkey. In a large pot over medium heat, heat 1 Tablespoon oil. Stir in 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped red bell pepper, and 2 teaspoons minced garlic. Cook 5 minutes, or until the onions become translucent. Add 1 pound ground turkey and cook until lightly browned. Drain, if needed. Stir in 2-3 Tablespoons chili powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon oregano.
- Simmer. Add 2 cups broth, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 1 can red kidney beans, 1 can black beans, 1 can white kidney beans and 1 1/2 cups corn, if using. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Simmer at least 30 minutes, but the longer the better. Adjust seasonings, as needed.
- Add toppings and serve. Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite toppings to serve.
Notes
- Use ground beef in place of ground turkey.
- Make the spices your own by adding smoked paprika, turmeric, garam marsala, or whatever sounds good to you.
- Add some heat with cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, please! Chili always tastes better the next day, after the flavors have had time to really meld, so feel free to make this up to 2 days in advance and reheat on the stovetop on low until warmed through.
After loading your bowl with toppings serve with a side of cornbread muffins or homemade biscuits. A simple salad or a few appetizer recipes always go over well, too.
This is a great way to develop flavor in a short amount of time! First, use the saute button to brown meat, onions and bell pepper. Scrape any burnt bits off the bottom and all other ingredients except corn adding tomatoes and beans last. Pressure cook for 12 minutes. Natural release 10 minutes then quick release. Stir in corn.
Categorized as: Beef, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Freezer-Friendly, Freezer-Friendly, Meal Prep, One Pot, One Pot, Soups, Stovetop, Stovetop
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Mmmm! I made this for after church and everyone loved it! I think I’ll make it again this week!
Amazing!! I made this last night for my family and served it with cornbread. Absolutely delicious!
So glad you enjoyed the turkey chili!
I had never thought about using turkey in chili before. This was amazing!
I’ve made this chili twice now, exactly as directed, and it’s SO GOOD! My husband he lives for food like this! Wow!
Just had a warm bowl after taking out of freezer. So good A Favorite!
Highly recommend 🤩
Yes! I made a tweak here or there because of what was in my pantry, but we loved it! Happy 2023!
So glad you enjoyed the turkey chili! Happy New Years!
My go-to chili recipe!
Thanks for sharing, Kathy. Happy Thanksgiving!
This recipe deserves to be bookmarked! It is so hearty and healthy. I would love to make it again. Highly recommended!
So glad to hear! Thanks for your review :)
Delicious! Give me all the chili, this time of year! We really enjoyed your turkey version. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Love chili this time of year too! Thanks for your review
Love this soup, it came out super delicious. Thanks for the recipe!
I love chili..but I don’t eat meat. I made it vegetarian by omitting the meat and using veggie broth. The beans give enough protein..and adding corn,tomatoes etc round it out. Lovely comfort food.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe :)