Real Deal Turkey Chili Recipe (2024)

Ground Turkey Chili Recipe

Are you tired of looking for a Turkey Chili Recipe that has real flavor? Look no further!

This heart healthy turkey chili may not include ground beef, but it has all the amazing piquant flavor a good bowl of chili requires.

Plus! It's very easy to make! Cook a bit, then let it simmer until you're ready to enjoy.

Why You'll Love This Turkey Chili

Turkey is a great choice of meat for making chili. Turkey may not contain the fat of other meats, which translates into flavor and mouth feel, but because of that it is a good lower calorie choice for those of us looking to eat a bit healthier.

Also, turkey is a milder protein, which means it will absorb and reflect back any flavors you decide to build into your pot of turkey chili.

When I cook with turkey, particularly ground turkey, all the flavors of my chosen chili peppers, fire roasted tomatoes, chili powders and other seasonings have free reign to do what they do best - make a GREAT pot of turkey chili.

I'm calling this recipe the "Real Deal" Turkey Chili because it does exactly that. It incorporates a collection of outstanding ingredients that comes together into one beautifully flavored meal.

Let's talk about how to make turkey chili, shall we?

Turkey Chili Ingredients

Here is what you need to make an excellent pot of turkey chili.

• Olive Oil.
• Lean Ground Turkey.
• Beans. I'm using red kidney beans here, but you can vary it up with different beans. Try it out with black beans, great northern beans, white beans, or a combination of beans. So many options!
• Onion and Garlic.
• Chili Peppers. Use bell peppers for a milder chili, or jalapenos or hotter for a bit of heat.
• Fire Roasted Tomatoes. Or use equivalent fresh. You can also used diced tomatoes or tomato sauce.
• Chili Powder. I love the combination of ancho powder and guajillo powder, but you can use your favorite chili powder blend.
• Other Seasonings. Freshly ground cumin, red chili flakes, salt and pepper.
• For Serving. Sliced roasted jalapenos, spicy chili flakes, fresh chopped parsley or cilantro

How to Make Turkey Chili - the Recipe Steps

1. First, heat the oil in a large pot and add the ground turkey meat, onion and peppers. Brown the turkey and cook it all down about 10 minutes, or until the turkey is cooked through and the vegetables are softened.
2. Add the garlic and cook another minute, stirring.
3. If using fresh tomatoes, chop them and add them to the pot. Cook about 10 minutes to let them break down. If using canned fire roasted tomatoes, just add them to the pot and go to the next step.
4. Add the remaining ingredients and give it all a good stir.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Cook the chili on low for at least 1 hour to let the flavors develop, stirring every now and then. Adjust for seasonings if you wish.
6. Serve in bowls with your favorite chili toppings. Some of my favorites are spicy chili flakes, sliced roasted peppers, chopped red onion, avocado, shredded cheese, tortilla chips, and sour cream or Greek yogurt.

Heat Factor

I kept this to about a medium-hot level heat factor by using jalapeno peppers and a Devil's Tongue pepper from my garden, but you can dial back on the heat by using only jalapenos.

Keep it mostly mild by using only sweet bell peppers, or go hotter with something like a ghost pepper or hotter.

You can also swirl in some cayenne pepper or spicy chili flakes before simmering and that will add an extra touch of heat.

Recipe Tips & Notes

• Swirl in a couple tablespoons of corn meal and cook another 10 minutes to thicken your chili if you feel it is too loose.
• The Chili Powders. I love this recipe with two different chili powders - ancho powder and guajillo powder. Together they are a powerhouse of flavor. However, feel free to use your favorite chili powder blend, or try my homemade chili powder. It rocks!

Storage & Leftovers

You can store any leftover turkey chili in a sealed container in the refrigerator forup to 5 days. To enjoy it again, simply reheat it over medium heat in a pot on the stovetop.

You can also freeze turkey chili in freezer proof containers for 3 months or longer. I freeze batches all the time. It reheats perfectly after thawing.

Try Some of My Other Popular Chili Recipes

• White Bean Chicken Chili
• Southwest Style Slow Cooker Chili
• Beef Chili
• Homemade Roasted Tomatillo Pork Chili
• Pork Chili with Roasted Red Hatch Chili Peppers
• Chili Colorado
• Chili Verde
• Cheesy Chili Mac and Cheese
• Chipotle Chili
• Crockpot Chili
• Short Rib and Chorizo Chili
• Chili Recipes Collection