This is the best turkey chili recipe ever with loads of ground turkey, fire roasted tomatoes, and lots of spicy seasonings satisfying and easy to make! It truly is the real deal when it comes to flavor.
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. NOTE: The full list of ingredients with measurements are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- 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. I usually include an extra hot pepper or 2. Also, use roasted red pepper for even bigger flavor.
- Fire Roasted Tomatoes. Or use equivalent fresh. You can also used diced tomatoes or tomato sauce. Add extra tomato or chicken broth for a looser chili.
- 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. Red pepper flakes, hot sauce, fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, green onions, shredded cheese, sour cream, or any of your favorites.
How to Make Turkey Chili - the Recipe Steps
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven to medium heat to brown the turkey and cook the onions, peppers, and garlic until cooked through, then add in the the rest of the ingredients.
Give it all a good stir, then simmer the pot at least 1 hour to let the flavors develop, stirring occasionally.
Boom! That's it, my friends! It's that easy! And it's a super meaty chili! Serve up your turkey chili with all of your favorite toppings. What do you think? Want to give it a go? I think you'll love this recipe! I know I do.
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.
- 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.
- Sweet potatoes are a popular addition to round out your turkey chili. Simply peel and cube them, then add to the pot to simmer when you add the remaining ingredients.
Storage & Leftovers
You can store any leftover turkey chili in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up 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
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Turkey Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1.5 pounds ground turkey
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper chopped (optional, for spicy)
- 1 small bell pepper or sweet pepper, chopped (use roasted red pepper for bigger flavor!)
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 15 ounce cans red kidney beans
- 3 cans fire roasted tomatoes (42 ounces total, or use equivalent fresh - use 4 cans for less chunky chili)
- 1/4 cup chili powder (I use a mix of ancho and guajillo powder)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- FOR SERVING: Red pepper flakes, hot sauce, fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, shredded cheese, sour cream, or any of your favorites
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot and add the ground turkey, onion, and peppers. Cook them down about 10 minutes, or until the turkey is cooked through and the vegetables are softened.
- Add the garlic and cook another minute, stirring.
- 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.
- Add the remaining ingredients and give it all a good stir.
- 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.
- Serve in bowls with your favorite fixins.
Video
Notes
Heat Factor: Medium-Hot, depending on your choice of hot peppers. If you're looking to up that heat factor, incorporate hotter peppers or add in extra spicy chili powder or chili flakes. Hot sauce is also a nice addition for both heat and flavor. I always drizzle on some hot sauce!
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 11/11/24 to include new photos and information. It was originally published on 10/11/19.
Charles Pascual says
So, it's the day after Thanksgiving and we're looking at turkey sandwiches or some such. Then, we open your Friday email for "Classic Chili" and I remember I have your Turkey Chili recipe saved in our favorites. A few substitutions based on what we had on hand: diced turkey for ground; no bell pepper so long green Korean peppers instead; one can fire roasted and one-half can regular diced tomatoes (we made a half batch), a chipotle pepper and some adobo 'cause I had it the fridge; pinto beans. Made our chili powder from dried anchos and guajillos. Great spicy, chunky chili. Your recipe is so good, it succeeds even with all these riffs. You get all the credit. Thanks, Mike.
Mike Hultquist says
I love it! Great way to use up the leftovers! Thanks for sharing, Charles. I appreciate it.
Bob Merlin says
Beans in Chili?
Mike Hultquist says
Of course! Haha, bit topic in the world of "chili"! Are you beans or no beans?
Sean E. says
Looks like another great chili recipe I'll have to try. Curious, though, could one use leftover turkey from Thanksgiving and just chop it up finely, instead of pure ground turkey?
Mike Hultquist says
I love it, Sean. So good! Absolutely, you can make this with leftover turkey. It won't be the same consistency, but the flavor will definitely come through. Let me know how it goes if you make it!
Briana says
Can you cook this in a crockpot on low for 6-8 hours instead of 3 hours?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Hi, Briana. Yes, though keep it very low for that amount of time. It will be good, though. Maybe just give it a stir here and there and add a touch of water if needed if it starts to reduce too much. Let me know how it goes.
Janice says
This is the 4th chili recipe I've tried on this site and it is by far one of my favorites. I have enjoyed them all, as did my boyfriend, but this one barely made it out of the pot and into a bowl! Talk about delicious.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Janice! Glad you enjoyed it!
Damien C. says
So good to finally have a good turkey chili recipe with lots of flavor. I've tried many that just didn't deliver, but the family loves this one. Thanks again. Another keeper.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Damien! I appreciate the comments!
brent says
Brilliant recipe and personally a hard grade for me to give. I make so many recipe from this website, but these flavors did nothing to rehabilitate ground turkey. It was coarse and a tough chew, like it always is, with that distinct taste that spices couldn't help. This protein could not be aided even with this great spice profile.
Not prejudiced at all. I love turkey and eat it often. I grill it with mesquite. Make sandwiches with it, poor gravy on it, and turkey sausage and bacon have come a long way and I eat them both. But ground? It never ever changes.
Can you pre-treat ground turkey? Thaw it in the fridge with salt? Or brine? Or slow cook far beyond the recipe time to break it down more? I did 2 hours, at a low simmer. Or is it too lean for that? I'd love to find a way to eat more ground turkey but I don't think that bird was meant for a course ground straight to skillet...
p.s.--followed recipe exactly but only had CALIF. chili powder.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sorry to hear, Brent. Honestly could just be the source of the ground turkey. Bad quality is just bad quality. Not sure if that is the case, but could be. I personally love ground turkey for many meals and make this recipe all the time. Not the best one for you, sir! Take care.