The Best-Ever Turkey Chili

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A bowl of this deeply flavorful chili just makes you feel good. It’s delicious. And it’s good for you! What could be better than that?

The Loon and I always say it really warms our cockles. Yes, it’s that’s good. It’s so comforting.  So deep in flavor and just amazing. Let this simmer for a couple of hours on the stove or slow cook in your slow-cooker and you won’t believe the results!And it freezes perfectly and will be ideal for those cold days yet to come. 

A large black cast-iron pot filled with turkey chili with a wooden spoon in the middle of it.

How To Make Best-Ever Turkey Chili

We know it’s a bold statement to call this “Best Ever.”

But folks, wait until you try it! We love our Texas Red Chili (which is loaded with ribeye steak), but this turkey chili is amazing, too!  And figure-friendly, too!

 

Prep all the ingredients, and then it’s simmering time! So flavorful and loaded with nutritional value!

We think building the flavor profile as you go is key to producing a deeply flavorful chili.

EXPERT TIP: There is a decent amount of prep for this turkey chili, especially when it comes to chopping the peppers. The bell peppers, jalapeno pepper, and onion can all be prepped up a couple of days in advance. Just store in an air-tight container until ready to use.

If you like your chili with some extra heat, then go with 2 chopped jalapenos, and don’t discard all the seeds. Sautéing the chopped veggies in olive oil and then smoked paprika begins the processing of building that classic chili taste.

A large black cast-iron pot filled with chopped green and red peppers simmering with a large wooden spoon stirring it all.

How To Make Ground Turkey Flavorful

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to beef or pork, then ground turkey is an ideal protein for chili.

Some folks may be concerned there’s not enough flavor as beef. That’s a legitimate concern. But, this recipe sidesteps that issue and brings full-on chili flavor.

Cook the ground turkey in a large skillet and season with salt and pepper, then add into the pot with the sautéed veggies.

EXPERT TIP: We recommend cooking the turkey in a separate skillet so you can easily discard any rendered grease. You can usually find 93% lean or 99% lean ground turkey in the meat department of most well-stocked supermarkets. We go with 93% lean, and then use a spoon to remove the rendered grease.

A large stainless steel skillet filled with fully cooked ground turkey.

Breaking with Texas-style tradition, we do include tomatoes in our turkey chili.

If you can find them, go with canned San Marzano whole tomatoes and squeeze them by hand into the turkey mixture.

EXPERT TIP: As the chili simmers and cooks on the stovetop, the tomatoes will continue to break down. Of course, if you prefer your chili to not have tomato chunks at all, then feel free to puree the tomatoes in your food processor, or use purchased crushed tomatoes in place of the whole tomatoes. You’ll need two 28 oz. cans, and use all the tomatoes and the juice.

A hand squeezing a whole tomato over a cast-iron pot full of cooked ground turkey and vegetables.

Simmering Deepens the Flavors

We recommend using a good-quality chili powder for the best results. We get ours from Pendrys, which is one of the most amazing spice companies in the world located in Forth Worth, Texas. You can browse all of their options online and then have it shipped directly to your home.

The addition of chopped green chilies, ground cumin, Adobo seasoning, garlic powder, red wine vinegar, and hot sauce round out the classic chili flavors.

EXPERT TIP: We like just a hint of heat in our chili. We find that taking three fresh jalapenos and making 3 or 4 slits down the sides of each pepper and then letting them simmer on top of the chili during the cooking process will impart jalapeno taste without adding a lot of spice. Allowing the chili to simmer for at least 2 hours will transform it into a deeply flavorful dish that is one of the best we’ve ever tasted.

A pot filled with turkey chili with three fresh jalapenos floating on top.

You won’t believe how amazing your house will smell when this turkey chili is simmering on the stove.

When we make a batch of it, we often double the recipe and freeze it in smaller portions.

The chili gets even better the next day as the flavors have even more time to meld.

Folks, if you love this turkey chili as much as we do, then you would definitely flip for our Stuffed Bell Peppers with Turkey and Rice and our Pasta with Turkey and Sweet Pepper Ragu. They are amazing! Now, back to this amazing chili!

A helping of turkey chili being ladled into a dark blue bowl next to a piece of cornbread.

How To Serve Turkey Chili

As with any kind of chili, it’s made even better with all the classic fixin’s.

We love to serve it with:

  • Shredded cheddar and/or Monterrey Jack cheese
  • Sliced pickled (or fresh) jalapenos
  • Chopped onions
  • Saltine crackers
  • Homemade Cornbread

Mmmmm…just look at this:

A dark bowl filled with turkey chili topped with shredded cheese and a sliced jalapeno all sitting next to a tall glass of beer.

If you’re looking for a dish that will please the family, but also is nutritious, this chili fits the bill perfectly.

Every time we make a batch of this chili, we are amazed at how perfectly delicious it is.

And did we mention that homemade cornbread is perfect for dunking and puts the meal over-the-top yummy?  Well, it absolutely is!

A hand dipping a slice of homemade cornbread into a bowl of turkey chili.

Ready to make the most delicious (and healthy) chili in town? Go for it!

And when you do, be sure to take a picture, post it on Instagram, and tag @howtofeedaloon with hashtag #howtofeedaloon!

A helping of turkey chili being ladled into a dark blue bowl next to a piece of cornbread.

The Best-Ever Turkey Chili

This truly is the best-ever turkey chili. So flavorful, chock full of pure deliciousness. It really will warm you to the bone. And it's healthy, too! The best-ever turkey chili.
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer or Soup, Lunch / Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: healthy chili, how to make turkey chili
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 262kcal

Equipment

  • 5 quart pot or Dutch oven
  • Skillet/saucepan

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 2 red bell peppers cored and chopped
  • 2 green red bell peppers cored and chopped
  • 4 jalapenos 1 cored, seeded, and chopped, the others left whole for simmering
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 lbs ground turkey 93% lean
  • 1 tbsp Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 2 28 oz cans tomatoes whole, with juices
  • 1 4 oz can green chilies chopped
  • cups chicken stock or vegetable
  • 1 12 oz. can tomato paste or 2 smaller cans
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce ie, Tobasco or Crystals
  • 5 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp Adobo seasoning
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • Grated cheddar cheese for garnish (optional)
  • sour cream for garnish (optional)
  • jalapenos sliced, pickled or fresh

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot, preferably a cast iron pot or Dutch oven. Add the onions, bell peppers, and jalapenos. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the smoked paprika.
  • Meanwhile, cook the ground turkey in a large skillet until fully cooked. Drain excess grease. Sprinkle with ¼ tsp of salt and pepper.
  • Add the cooked turkey to the sautéed veggies. Using your hands, squeeze the tomatoes into the pot, adding all the juice, as well.
  • Stir in the chopped chilies, chicken (or vegetable) broth, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, hot sauce, chili powder, cumin, Adobo seasoning, garlic powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir until fully mixed.
  • Use a small sharp knife to cut 3 or 4 slits down the sides of the remaining 3 jalapenos. Place them on top of the chili.
  • Simmer the chili for 2 hours stirring occasionally. If simmering for more than 2 hours, you may need to add a little more broth if too much liquid cooks out.
  • Serve with cheese, onions, sliced jalapenos, and sour cream (if desired)

Video

Notes

We use 93% lean ground turkey for our chili.  It will render a little grease which adds some flavor, however, since we want this chili to be low-calorie and low-fat, we drain the grease off.  For a healthier option, you could use 99% lean ground turkey. It won't be as juicy or flavorful, but will still be very good.
Chili powders vary in spice level, depending on the brand and type of peppers that are utilized.  For standard chili powder, we use 5 tablespoons.  However, this can be adjusted according to your taste.  If you are concerned about the spice level, then start off with a couple of tablespoons of chili powder, and taste after about an hour of simmering.  Add more if desired.  Our version is definitely on the mild side. 
For a completely vegetarian version, omit the chili, and add in other ingredients such as canned red kidney beans and corn kernels.  Use vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth/stock.
This recipe can easily be cut in half or doubled, if desired. 
This chili will keep in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 1 week.  It freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. 
As with most good chili recipes, this is even better the following days after the initial preparation.  

Nutrition

Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 634mg | Potassium: 1118mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 4047IU | Vitamin C: 60mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 5mg
Tried this recipe? Take a Picture!Mention @HowToFeedALoon or tag #HowToFeedALoon!

POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published in November 2014 but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe, with new tips and photography, and a fabulous new video in January 2021. 

27 Comments

  • Tried. Very good tasting recipe, enjoyed, but we rather use Las Palmas Enchilada Sauce Medium and Hot rather than tomatoes, paste, jalapeño peppers, hot sauce, etc. Cuts out a number of ingredients and makes prep a lot easier, maybe better.

  • 5 stars
    Absolutely wonderful! The only turkey chili recipe I’ll use again and again! Thank you for the recipe. Love your site!!!

    • Hi Paige! Yay!!! We are thrilled you made the chili turkey and loved it! You made our day! Thank you so much for sharing and for the wonderful review! That means the world to us! xoxo Kris & Wesley

    • Hi Cynthia! You just made our day! Woo hoo! We are THRILLED you made the turkey chili and had such great success with it! Sounds like you had a GREAT feast! Thanks so much for sharing and for the GREAT review! That means the world to us! All the best, Kris & Wesley

  • 5 stars
    Another great Loon meal! Nice heat. I 1/2 the recipe (for only 2 people), but left the jalapeños and green chiles as-is. The leftover was fantastic once all that spice melded together. Thanks and on to Tuna casserole next. 🙂

    • Hi Mark! So so happy to hear you loved the turkey chili! And couldn’t agree more, it just gets better in the fridge! Let us know what you think of the tuna casserole!! And thanks for the wonderful review. That always truly means so much to us. All the best, Kris & Wesley

  • 5 stars
    Thanks for another delicious recipe. I often make turkey chili instead of using beef, and this version was truly amazing. My husband raved about it and we enjoyed leftovers for lunch the next day. I did add kidney beans to the chili. Thanks again guys for another keeper recipe. Take care.

    • Hi Cindy!! We love good ole chili loaded with delicious beef, but, we think this turkey chili is so good, too, and we are thrilled you and your hubby enjoyed so much!! That truly makes us so happy. Thank you so much for letting us know and for the GREAT review. That means the world to us! All the very best, Kris & Wesley

  • Hi! I just discovered your site and am in love! The chili was delicious and will now be my go-to turkey chili recipe. I can’t wait to try your other recipes as well!

    • Hi Jill!! Woo hoo!!! We are so so so happy you found us and we found YOU!! And super excited you loved the turkey chili. It’s definitely one of our favorites and so happy you had success with it! Please stay in touch!! All the very best, Kris & Wesley

    • Hi Jill!! That is so awesome!! We are so thrilled you found us and you had such great success with the turkey chili! Yay! Please stay in touch! All the very best, Kris & Wesley

  • 5 stars
    WE just made the Turkey Chili and really love it! Will make it again for sure! We can’t say enough about how much we love your videos. Made the cornbread and it was great too. Keep up the recipes and great videos. Love you guys!

    • Jill!!! You just made our weekend!! We are THRILLED you made the turkey chili and the cornbread and you loved it!! Woo hoo!! And thank you for the kind words…we send lots and lots of love back to you, too!! Thanks for letting us know and for the wonderful review! That means the world to us!! Please stay in touch! All the very best, Kris & Wesley

  • Hey Guys! You ended up in my eMail about 2 months or so ago & I just LOVE your videos. The other day I made the the turkey chili for my family. What a HIT it was!! So delicious. Next time I will certainly double it! I just saw the tuna caserole video – I’ve never had it before but now I have to make it! I’ll let you know how it comes out!
    Thank you!!

    • Hi Marie!! We can’t say enough how excited we are that we ended up in your email box!! And we are over-the-top thrilled that you and the family enjoyed the turkey chili! And we hear you on doubling…it freezes wonderfully, too…so perfect for future cold days when you’re needing something to feed the hungry fam! Oh, and we really think you’re gonna love the tuna casserole. Comfort food at it’s best! Let us know if you make it and what you think!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

  • We made 2 days ago and loved it!!!! Tasty and spicy! Lol my husband couldn’t believe it was turkey and not beef. I did add kidney beans. Can’t wait for leftovers tonight. Thank you!

    • Hi Patricia!! YAY!! So so so glad you and your hubby enjoyed the turkey chili! And we LOVE the addition of beans, too!! Thank you so much for letting us know!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

  • Hi Kris….the turkey chili was very good….but I think it would be better with a lot less tomato paste. Maybe just use 3 tablespoons. I will definitely make it again, but with less paste. By the way, the oysters Rockefeller were divine! Love your site!

    • Thanks, Noreen!! So glad you enjoyed the turkey chili, and so glad you’ll be able to make the adjustment to make it perfect for you!!! And woo hoo! We LOVE that you made the oysters rockefeller and love them!! All the very best, Kris & Wesley

    • Hi Patricia! Sorry for the delayed response! Absolutely! We love red kidney beans, or pinto beans….they make a wonderful addition if you like beans!! Let us know if you make the chili and what you think!! Best, Kris & Wesley

  • 5 stars
    Awesome and mouthwatering recipe! As usual. Just the recipe I needed today to have a fantastic sunday. Thank you, guys.

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