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.
VIDEO ALERT: Be sure to check out the video for this recipe in the recipe card. If you like the video, subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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:
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!
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!
The Best-Ever Turkey Chili
Video
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
- 1½ 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)
Notes
Nutrition
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.
Linda Baggetta says
I am so intriqued by this recipe. I want toprep it and cook it in the slow cooker instead of simmering it on the stove because I want it as a comforting Winter meal when I get home from my outdoor job, do you think it will work? Thanks in advance, LB
Kris Longwell says
Hi Linda! You can absolutely do most of this chili in your slow cooker. Definitely cook the ground turkey in advance (and discard any rendered grease). You can go ahead and sauté the veggies in advance, too. Then place everything in your slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours. If you don't have time to sauté the veggies, no worries, just add them with the cooked turkey and everything else and cook on LOW. They will still get nice and tender. Let us know if you try it and what you think. We think you'll really enjoy it! Perfect to come home from a chilly day's work! Keep us posted! Kris & Wesley
LINDA S. BAGGETTA says
Loved it! I followed the recipe to a T…cooked it on low in the slow cooker for 8 hours. I added a can of of black beans to round out the flavor. So good, a keeper!
Kris Longwell says
Awesome!!! So so happy you enjoyed it! xoxo
Linda Baggetta says
I am so intriqued by this recipe. I want toprep it and cook it in the slow cooker instead of simmering it on the stove because I want it as a comforting Winter meal when I get home from my outdoor job, do you think it will work? Thanks in advance, LB
Richard says
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.
Kris Longwell says
Awesome! Sounds great! Thanks for sharing!
Paige says
Absolutely wonderful! The only turkey chili recipe I’ll use again and again! Thank you for the recipe. Love your site!!!
Kris Longwell says
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
Cynthia says
Made exactly as written and it was spectacular! Served it with Tostitos Hint of Spicy Queso chips; to die for! Thanks for the great recipe.
Kris Longwell says
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
Mark Loehr says
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. 🙂
Kris Longwell says
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
Cindy says
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.
Kris Longwell says
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
Jill says
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!
Kris Longwell says
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
Kris Longwell says
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
Jill Williams says
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!
Kris Longwell says
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
Marie says
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!!
Kris Longwell says
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
Patricia says
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!
Kris Longwell says
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
Noreen says
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!
Kris Longwell says
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
Patricia says
Hi! Can’t wait to try!! Do you ever add beans to your Turkey chili?
Kris Longwell says
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
Maria Alejandra Martinez says
Awesome and mouthwatering recipe! As usual. Just the recipe I needed today to have a fantastic sunday. Thank you, guys.
Kris Longwell says
Thank you so much, Maria!! Let us know if you make it what you think!! ❤️❤️❤️ Kris & Wesley
Judy says
Why can't I pin this delicious recipe?????
Kris Longwell says
Hi Judy! We think it’s an issue with Pinterest, but we’re looking into it. Thank you for the heads up!