Ground turkey chili is a great lighter option for busy weeknight meals. This easy one-pot recipe is full of flavor and comes together in just a little over 30 minutes.
A solid chili recipe is one of the best recipes to have in your arsenal because it is endlessly versatile. You can serve it as a hearty main smothered with cheese and sour cream, as a simple side with ribs or a good sandwich, or add it as a topping to something that could use a little spicing up.
And unlike most chili recipes that take hours to cook, this turkey chili can be on your table in a little over 30 minutes with very little hands-on cooking time. It’s a modified version of my super speedy Beef Chili Recipe that I posted a couple of years ago, but with ground turkey swapped in for ground beef.
Turkey chili is perfect when you want the same deep flavors you get from the traditional beef chili, but could go for something a little lighter. It maintains all the rich taste and is just as thick and delicious.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground turkey: I call for 85% lean ground turkey in this recipe, but whatever you have on hand will work.
- Tomato paste: This recipe uses tomato paste to help add depth of flavor to this chili. You will be left with some leftover tomato paste in the can. To get recipe ideas and information on how to store the leftovers, check out my post What to Do With Leftover Tomato Paste.
- Beans: For chili, I like to use a mix of pinto and kidney beans, but feel free to substitute the combination of canned beans you prefer. Just make sure to drain and rinse the beans before you add them to your chili.
Chicken broth: I use chicken broth in this recipe to add a bit of flavor to the chili, but you can substitute for it with either beef broth or water.
How to Make Ground Turkey Chili
1. Prep your ingredients. Before starting the chili, open all cans, drain the beans, line up/portion out your spices, dice your onion, prep your veggies, etc. This recipe moves quickly once you start, so get your ingredients prepared before you start cooking.
2. In a large pot, cook your diced onion in olive oil until softened.
3. Add the ground turkey to the pot. Salt and brown the turkey.
4. Add garlic, tomato paste, and spices to the pot and cook altogether for 1 to 2 minutes. This will give the flavors a chance to deepen before you add the liquid ingredients.
5. Stir in all of the remaining ingredients and bring everything to a simmer. Simmer uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes, until the chili has reached your desired level of thickness.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy!
Variations
There are a lot of different ways you can customize your chili.
- Meat: Instead of ground turkey, you can replace it with ground chicken. Ground beef can also be substituted if you prefer a heavier chili. You can also make this recipe vegetarian by using your favorite plant-based crumbles.
- Peppers/veggies: If you like your chili with more veggies, before you add the spices, add chopped up peppers or different types of veggies like corn or zucchini to the ground turkey just after browning.
The Best Turkey Chili Toppings
Try adding some toppings to your chili! Some of my favorites are:
- Cheese
- Fritos/tortilla chips
- Green onions/chives
- Jalapenos
- Sour Cream
- Cilantro
- Chopped Avocado
FAQ
What goes well with turkey chili?
Ground turkey chili makes a great main dish served with a salad and cornbread. It can also be a filling side with a light sandwich. I particularly enjoy this chili used as a topping on hot dogs, cheese fries, baked potatoes or sweet potatoes.
How do I store turkey chili and how long does it last in the fridge?
Chili is one of those recipes that gets better the longer it sits. You can store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Can I freeze it?
Chili actually freezes really well. To freeze chili, place it in a freezer bag either altogether or in individual servings. I like to freeze my chili flat for easier storage. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months for best results. Once you are ready to eat, defrost in the refrigerator and reheat in either the microwave or on the stove with a little water added.
How do you thicken turkey chili?
If you want a thicker chili, simmer uncovered until your chili has reached your ideal level of thickness.
Is turkey chili healthier than beef chili?
Turkey chili has fewer grams of fat than beef chili. Compared to my beef chili which has 16 grams of fat per serving, this turkey chili has just 12 grams of fat.
More Cozy Comfort Food Recipes
- Super Easy Country Style Pork Ribs
- Baked Ziti, The Ultimate Cheesy Pasta Bake
- Reader Favorite Ham and Potato Soup
Quick Ground Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow or white onion diced
- 1 pound 85% lean ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- ¼ cup (66g) tomato paste
- 4 cloves garlic minced or pressed
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 14 ounces crushed or diced tomatoes
- 1 15-ounce can pinto beans drained and rinsed*
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed*
- 1 cup chicken broth *
Toppings
- Sour cream optional
- Shredded cheese optional
- Cilantro optional
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add your diced onion and cook until onions just begin to turn translucent around the edges, about 5 minutes.
- To the onions, add the turkey and salt. Cook, stirring often, until turkey is browned.
- Stir in tomato paste, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and pepper, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until aromatic.
- Add the tomatoes (with their juices), drained beans, and broth. Bring to a low simmer and simmer the chili uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 30 minutes, until the meat is cooked through and chili has thickened.
- Taste and add additional salt and pepper if necessary.
- Spoon into bowls, top with sour cream and cheese if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
Freezing Instructions: To freeze chili, place it in a freezer bag either altogether or in individual servings. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months for best freshness. Defrost the chili overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in either the microwave or on the stove. Approximate nutritional information is for 5 servings without optional toppings.
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