Turkey chili is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for those cold winter days. Made with ground turkey mixed with onion, garlic, tomatoes, and spices, this chili is sure to warm you up from the inside out. Here’s a recipe for turkey chili that you can use as a starting point. If you want to make it even more hearty, add some additional ingredients like ground beef or beans. And if you’re going to jazz it up a bit, try adding different types of spices like cumin or chili powder. Enjoy!

What is Turkey Chili?
Turkey chili is a hearty, family-friendly dish perfect for cold winter nights. This recipe is basic and simple to follow, leaving you feeling satisfied and warm.
Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey
One large onion, diced
Two cloves garlic, minced
One bell pepper, diced
One green bell pepper, diced
Three tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
Two cans (15 oz each) of black beans, drained and rinsed
Two cans (15 oz each) of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
One can (14.5 oz) of diced tomatoes with green chilies
One tablespoon of chili powder
½ teaspoon cumin ground coriander
salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa
How to make turkey chili
In a large pot, brown the ground turkey with onions, garlic, and chili powder. Stir in the tomato sauce, beans, and water. Heat to boiling, then lessen intensity and stew for 30 minutes. Serve over cooked potatoes or rice.
Tips for Making the Best Turkey Chili
1. Use a turkey carcass that is bone-in, skin-on, and preferably frozen. Thaw the carcass before using it in this chili recipe.
2. Start by browning the turkey carcass in an enormous pot or Dutch stove over medium-high intensity until it is well cooked.
3. Add the onions, garlic, and spices and cook until the onions are translucent.
4. Next, add the tomatoes and tomato sauce and boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes or until thickened.
5. Finally, add the kidney beans and black beans and simmer for another 10 minutes or until heated. Serve warm with toppings of your choice!
Variations of Turkey Chili
1. Turkey Chili has many variations, some with different meats and some without any meat.
2. The most common variation is made with ground turkey and browned onions.
3. Another variation uses shredded beef instead of ground turkey and includes chili powder, cumin, garlic, and a variety of other spices.
4. A vegetarian version can be made with black beans instead of ground turkey, or by omitting the meat altogether, what’s more, utilizing vegetable stock rather than chicken stock.
5. Some add diced avocado or pumpkin to their chili for extra flavor and texture.
INGREDIENTS
- 1tablespoon olive oil
- 2pounds ground turkey, white and dark combined
- 2cups coarsely chopped onions
- 2tablespoons chopped garlic
- One large sweet red pepper, cored, deveined, and coarsely chopped
- 1cup chopped celery
- 1jalapeno pepper, cored, deveined, and finely chopped
- 1tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped, or one tablespoon, dried
- 2bay leaves
- 3tablespoons chili powder
- 2teaspoons ground cumin
- 3cups canned diced tomatoes
- 2cups chicken broth, fresh or canned
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 215-ounce cans of red kidney beans, drained
- 2cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1cup sour cream (optional)
- Sliced lime for garnish (optional)
Readiness
Stage 1
Heat the oil over high intensity in a huge, weighty pot and add the turkey meat. Cook until daintily caramelized, around 5 minutes, slashing down and mixing with the side of a weighty kitchen spoon to separate any bumps.
Stage 2
Add the onions, garlic, sweet pepper, celery, jalapeno, oregano, straight leaves, bean stew powder, and cumin. Mix to mix well. Cook for 5 minutes.
Stage 3
Add the salt, pepper, chicken stock, and tomatoes. Heat to boiling, diminish intensity, and stew, occasionally stirring, for 15 minutes.
Step 4
Add the drained beans and cook, occasionally stirring, for 10 minutes longer. If desired, serve in bowls with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and lime wedges.

Sonia is a passionate plant-based cook and the lead recipe creator at The Green Kitchen. With years of experience crafting vibrant, wholesome vegan meals, she believes that healthy eating should be exciting, flavorful, and accessible to everyone. Her recipes are tested, practical, and designed to bring joy to your kitchen every single day.


