This Turkey Chili Recipe has been on the regular rotation for years. It is hearty – loaded with ground turkey, beans, and veggies in a flavorful tomato base. It’s an easy weeknight meal that comes together in one pot – after the turkey and onions are sauteed, the rest is just dumped and simmered. Get those tortilla chips ready for dipping into the best turkey chili!
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The Best Turkey Chili Recipe
My friend Gina from nursing school (did you know I used to be a registered nurse?), shared this award-winning slow cooker chili recipe with me that she learned from her mother. She made it for a chili cook-off fundraiser at the university, and I couldn’t stop refilling my bowl. It’s delicious! When she told me how easy it was, I could hardly believe it but it’s become a staple on our menu. I’ll share all of my best tips to really amp up the flavor of your chili!
This turkey chili recipe is loaded with great ingredients–like lean ground turkey, veggies, and high-fiber beans that make it a little lighter than traditional chili but just as satisfying. It also reheats well, so it’s great for meal prep (see my storage tips below).
Turkey Chili Recipe Video
After you watch the video, two things will happen: you’ll realize how easy it really is, and you’ll crave it until you make it. Dinner = solved!
We love filling, warming, one-pot meals, like our Beef Stew, Chicken Tortilla Soup, and Slow Cooker Chili. This turkey chili recipe will quickly become one of your family’s favorites since it’s so easy and is packed with nutritious ingredients without sacrificing that crave-able chili flavor.
Helpful Reader Reviews
“Probably the most flavorful turkey chili I’ve had/made. I’ll definitely make it again. And it will probably replace my beef chili!” – Josie ★★★★★
“Two thumbs up from my entire family! Including two teenagers. This was great!” – Lori ★★★★★
Ingredients for the Best Turkey Chili
One of the things that makes this recipe so simple is it uses a ton of canned pantry staples, but you can substitute with homecooked beans and veggies if you prefer. I usually always stock the cans so I can make chili anytime the craving starts and I don’t mind it now that more companies offer BPA-free cans
- Ground Turkey – Since ground turkey is naturally pretty lean, there usually isn’t a need to drain it after browning. Any ground turkey will work here.
- Onion – dice a medium red or yellow onion. Gina recommended red onion for chili because it sweetens as it cooks.
- Chili Spices – here’s where you can really amp up the flavor with chili powder, cumin powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. This recipe is pretty mild but if you prefer spicy, add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper.
- Tomato Base – I combine a 28 oz jar of canned diced tomatoes with their juice (seasoned or plain), and a 15 oz can of tomato sauce. You can substitute the tomato sauce with crushed tomatoes if that is what you have on hand.
- Beans – I like a mix of 3 beans-black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans, but you can substitute with what you have on hand. I often swap in some white beans or use a canned blend of beans. It’s best to rinse and drain beans to remove excess salt and any tinny flavor.
- Green chilis (or) Jalapenos – for more flavor, add a small 2oz can of diced jalapenos or green chilis. I use mild, but you can use hot if you like more heat.
- Corn – you can use 1 can of sweet corn, frozen corn, or fresh corn from 2 ears of corn. I’ve always loved the sweet bite that corn adds to chili, but you can omit it if you’d prefer.
How to Make Turkey Chili
Stovetop chili is the quickest and easiest way to make chili. It all comes together in one pot and the cooking time is minimal.
- Add oil to a pot or Dutch oven and brown ground turkey.
- Add diced onion and spices and sautee until onions are softened.
- Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, then partially cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
Toppings for Turkey Chili
Every good chili needs a “chili bar” to go along with it so everyone can customize it just the way they like it. Set the toppings out in separate bowls so people can pile on their favorites. We love turkey chili with tortilla chips, but it’s amazing over Baked Potatoes (or Air Fryer Baked Potatoes) with a side of cornbread or Homemade Biscuits.
- Shredded cheese (Mexican, cheddar, Colby Jack, etc)
- Sour Cream
- Sliced Avocados or Spicy Guacamole
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Chopped green onion
- Sliced jalapeños (fresh or canned)
- Hot Sauce – a splash of Tobasco or Cholula
- Sliced olives
Can I Make Turkey Chili in a Slow Cooker?
I love crockpot chili recipes; set ’em and forget ’em. I make this slow cooker turkey chili in the morning and it’s ready for my children to enjoy when they get home from school.
- Start steps 1 and 2 on the stovetop (or use a slow cooker with a sautee function)
- Transfer ground turkey mixture to crockpot, add remaining ingredients and 1/2 cup of broth or water and stir to combine.
- Set on low for 3 to 4 hours until piping hot. Season to taste and serve.
Storing and Reheating
Once leftovers are cooled, transfer portions to an airtight container or a freezer-safe ziptop bag.
- To Refrigerate: store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
- Freezing: store in the freezer for 3 months.
- To Reheat: You can reheat from frozen, but start with lower heat as it thaws. Heat in the microwave or on the stove until hot. Thin with Chicken stock or water if needed.
This satisfying Turkey Chili Recipe will quickly become a favorite for your family since it is so easy to make and cooks in just 30 minutes on the stovetop.
Turkey Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 medium red onion, diced, or yellow onion
- 2 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp fine sea salt , or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
- 28 oz canned diced tomatoes, seasoned or plain, with their juice
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz pinto beans with their juice, or white beans with their juice
- 2 oz jar of diced jalapeños or mild green chilis, or to taste
- 15 oz canned corn, drained, or use frozen or fresh corn kernels
- 1/2 cup chicken stock or water, or as needed, to thin the chili
Instructions
- In a 5 Qt pot or Dutch oven over medium/high heat, add 1 Tbsp olive oil and sautee ground turkey until cooked through (5 min).
- Add diced onion, chili powder, cumin powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper. Sautee 5 minutes or until onions are softened.
- Add canned diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, beans, diced jalapeños or chilis, and corn.
- Stir to combine and bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water or chicken stock towards the end if you prefer a thinner chili. Keep in mind it thickens slightly as it cools. Season to taste towards the end of cooking (I like to add an extra 1/2 tsp salt).
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Comforting Stew & Chili Recipes
- Easy Stovetop Beef Chili
- Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
- Lamb Stew
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Potato Soup
- Split Pea Soup
- Borscht Recipe
I tried this recipe a few days ago. It turned out pretty well. The next time I make this chili, how can I make it a little more tangier ?
You could always add a little lemon juice to taste – I wonder if it had anything to do with the brand of tomatoes?
Love the picture that your son contributed! I used most of your ingredients and strategies to make my own chili. I’m sorry, I’m one of those people who simply can’t follow ANY recipe without adding or changing something to make it his or her own, but I find your website inspiring.
I “think” I’ve been a foodie for about 5yrs… about the same time when I got laid off, then worked again, then laid off, etc. In my free time I took over the cooking here for the family and explored the techniques out there. So much to learn still.
Is this the right place to post this kind of comment? Sorry if I’ve broken the rules, -New Kitchen Dad
Hi Erik! Thanks for writing :). There aren’t really any rules for comments ;). I’m the same way; I improvise based on the ingredients I have on hand; unless it’s baking since that is more of a science.
Hi Natasha ,
What kinda crock pot do you use ?
Alina, it’s an oldie but goodie, smaller Crockpot brand that is no longer made.
Made it today and it turned out Delish!!! I did not have any ground turkey on hand but i did have some fresh turkey breast. So I cut it in tiny little cubes and instead of tomatoe sauce (since i didn’t have any) I used some tomato marinara sauce. The kids absolutely loved it. THANKS NATASHA! This recipe is deffinately a keeper!
That is a great idea to just use diced turkey breast! I bet the texture was awesome! Thanks for sharing and I’m so happy you loved the recipe 🙂
Hi Natasha,
Was wondering when cooking your own beans, the recipe calls for 15 oz. cans, but you say to cook 1 pound of beans, how many cans would the 1 pound of beans make? I don’t want to cook the whole pound and freeze the rest.
1 lb of dry beans = about 3 cans of cooked beans.
I was able to cook 1 lb of each kind of bean and freeze the rest 2 more future batches.
Here’s another way to look at it: if you make 1/3 lb of beans, it is equivalent to 1 can of cooked beans. I figured, if I’m going to take the time to cook beans, I might as well make it last for the future and they’re also great in soups! 🙂 If you just want to cook enough beans for the recipe, buy 1/3 lb of each kind of dry bean and start cooking 🙂
Made this last night.. it turned out delicious. I even stopped by Wendy’s and bought hot chilli seasoning from them because I couldn’t find a recipe for it anywhere.. that stuff is amazing. We crumble saltine crackers into our chilli, top with sour cream, Colby jack, and 2 packs of sauce. Yum.
It sounds like you enjoy your chili spicy!! 🙂 We do to but our son wouldn’t eat it if it was too spicy 🙂
Hi, There! I’m planning on making this for my son’s first birthday party at a local pumpkin patch!!! Do you think frozen organic corn would be fine to use? And I just bought a bunch of sweet onions at Costco. I know red is more traditional in chili but what do you think about the sweet onions? This looks SO yummy!
I’m not sure the amount of time in the slow cooker is adequate to fully cook the raw frozen corn. You might cook on high heat for 1 hour and then reduce to low for the remaining time. Sweet onions are totally fine 🙂
Thank you so much for the feedback! Have you ever added red bell pepper to this recipe?
I haven’t but it might be worth a shot if you like bell pepper. I think I’d like it sauteed before adding it.
Hey Natasha,
Thanks for another wonderful recipe. It was my first time making chili and I was pleasantly surprised with the results. I did omit the corn as I am not a huge fan of it in chili and I substituted with organic ground beef but otherwise, I followed the instructions and it turned out delicious.
Organic ground beef would make a delicious chili! I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Thank you, Natasha, for all your recipe. I like use them and enjoy it!
I’m so happy to hear that. Thanks Mariya! 🙂
The best chili recipe I’ve tried so far! Cooked my own beans as well.
Thanks!
Didn’t it feel good cooking your own beans? I’m so happy you liked the chili! 🙂
This looks amazing, and even though it is hot and muggy here in S. Florida, I still want to make this! Great photos too! I think a collection of them would look good framed as part of a kitchen decor 🙂
What a fun idea; to put up pictures of food in the kitchen! I wish I had a big wall just for that. Maybe I can get creative 🙂 Thanks Andi!
I’ve been cooking my own beans for a while now. So many of them are packed with so much junk! It’s sad actually. We love chili in this house and been making mine in crockpot as well but never with turkey. Will have to try!
I hadn’t looked into it until this pregnancy but the BPA really threw a wrench into the canned food business for me. No more (or as little as possible) canned foods for me, or my babies. I think you’d love the turkey; it adds some nice texture and flavor 🙂
Chili in the slow cooker sounds very nice. I make a similar version on the stove top except I add canned fire roasted tomatoes instead or regular and some diced sweet red bell peppers. It adds a very light smokey sweet taste. I will try the slow cooker next time.
I love the idea of fire roasted tomatoes; yumm!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This is going on my meal plan soon! I love a good slow cooker chili! Your photos are so bright and beautiful!
Thank you so much Kristine 🙂 Enjoy!
Great recipe and just in time for the cold weather here in Chicago this weekend. I have to get my slow cooker in use, I haven’t used it in 2 years. I like the way you season ground turkey, these are my favorite flavors.
Thanks Lyubomira 🙂 I’m really looking forward to wearing skinny jeans again instead of shorts; it was cooling down for a little bit but we’re getting another warm wave of 91˚F for a few days! Maybe it’s the last wave 😉
Yum looks tasty!! I gotta say I really appreciate your blog!! I use it almost every day, and I feel like such a great cook! Thank You!!! God bless you and your family!
Thank you Yelena for such a sweet comment and you are welcome :). Blessings to you and your family as well.
will be making it this week;) do you think ground beef will work?
Nadya, beef should work great as well :).
I am going to have to try this. I see a lot of turkey on sale but I really dont know what do with it. So hoping to see more turkey recipes =)
This is definitely a good way to use turkey! I hope you love it as much as we did. I won’t admit that I wolfed down 2 1/2 bowls in one sitting.
I made this and it was pretty good. My husband ate it too and he is pretty picky. I just didnt use black beans. not fan of them and I did use corn and I am glad i did.
I do like corn in my chili too. If you get a chance to add fresh cooked corn; it’s wonderful! 🙂
Love this recipe! The minute it cools down here, this is happening!
It’s already cooling down a little in Boise, ID; starting to feel like Fall and this is perfect for cozier weather 🙂
I started cooking and freezing beans also. Portion them out in small parts and freeze them.
It’s so convenient and I feel so good about giving it to my family and eating it myself!