Name: Turkey Chili Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 80 min
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

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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.

A delicious bowl of Turkey Chili with garnish

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 like my classic chili recipe, 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.

Cooking the vegetables and turkey, then simmering turkey chili in a pot

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

This turkey chili is loaded with flavor - lots of ground turkey, fire roasted tomatoes, creamy beans, and the perfect blend of spices, healthy and so good! And easy to make!

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chili, ground turkey, one pot, spicy

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 1 20

Calories: 214kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings:

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4.72 from 7 votes

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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

Serves 6-8.
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

Calories: 214kcal Carbohydrates: 14g Protein: 19g Fat: 10g Saturated Fat: 2g Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g Monounsaturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 0.1g Cholesterol: 63mg Sodium: 1295mg Potassium: 399mg Fiber: 4g Sugar: 5g Vitamin A: 3431IU Vitamin C: 26mg Calcium: 99mg Iron: 3mg

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 11/11/24 to include new photos and information. It was originally published on 10/11/19.