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
My husband doesn’t like chunks of tomatoes. What can I use instead of the 30oz diced tomatoes??
Hi Renee, I haven’t tested a substitution but here is what one of our readers wrote “I make a similar version on the stovetop 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 hope that helps
Have you tried crushed tomatoes Instead of Diced?
Can lentils be used in this with black beans? I don’t have the other beans it’s what I have in the cupboard.
Hi Michaela! I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
I just made this tonight and it was easy to prepare and was good. I changed a few things in the recipe. The lentils turned out I just added them almost to the end so they could be brought to a boil and simmer. I also used taco seasoning instead. This is something I will be making again.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
How do I do this recipe in a crockpot? Can’t find the instructions..?
Hi Yana! Check the text section closer to the recipe card towards the bottom that says: “How to Make Crockpot Turkey Chili” I hope you love it!
Natasha,
This chili is so GOOD. It was simple and easy to throw it all together with ingredients that I already had in my pantry. I have never tried a turkey chili before but it is my new go-to because it is a lot less greasier compared to a beef chili which I’m used to. Thank you!!
You’re so welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!
Love this recipe so much! It was perfect!
Sounds like you found a new favorite, Emily! Thank you for that great review!
This recipe is a keeper!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
This looks incredible!! I love chili & love the turkey option! I need to make it this week..it’s been chilly for this AZ girl!
This chili is so perfect for this cold weather!
Making a double batch because I know I’ll be glad to have the leftovers, yum!
Yes! A double batch is a great idea!! Thank you for your wonderful review!
This looks delicious, especially with those yummy garnishes. I love avocado with my chili!
Thank you, Kara1 I’m so happy you liked this recipe!!
Love this recipe! So easy to make and everyone loved it!
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Steph :). I’m all smiles!
How can I make the chili a bit thicker ?
Hi Rachel, for a thicker chili, you could drain off some of the juice from the beans or diced tomatoes. I hope you love the turkey chili!
Hi Natasha, I really want to make this, but don’t have a slow cooker (yet!!! – there’s still Christmas!). How would I make this on top of the stove in a big dutch oven pot? Many thanks, Janet
Hi Janet! I think the process will be very similar and it is doable. We have a stove top chili recipe here and the directions should be pretty similar
Thank you Natasha! I will follow those directions and add more diced veggies as you suggested for the beef chili – bcoz I have em! I’ll let you know how it turns out! Janet
I look forward to hearing your feedback!
Hi Natasha, I just finished making this in a Dutch oven on the stove.I added celery, mushrooms, yellow pepper & carrot, but no corn…extra cumin oregano & chili powder. My pot is brimming FULL! This chili is so delicious! Next time I would add half pd more turkey. Great recipe and freezing for sure! Thank you.
You’re so welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Is it possible to boil it normal about 30 min on the stowe. I dont have a slowcooker.
Hi Lollo, once it is at a simmer, keep it there for 30 minutes on the stove. That should work great and we have done it this way before. You really just want it to get really hot and heated through since all of the ingredients are fully cooked.
Hello Natasha, I have made this recipe three times now, and it disappears faster than I can make it) It’s a new favorite in my family. I love the taste and the Turkey meat is great idea). Your recipe is fantastic, thank you so much for sharing it with us))
I’m happy to hear how much you enjoy the recipe Jeffery! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review!
Hello
Is there anything we can substitute the beans with? I do not want to use that many in the recipe . Beans are high in natural estrogens or soy and I’m trying not to provide that to my children?
Hi Helen, I didn’t know that! Thank you for sharing that insight. I’m not sure what would be a comparable substitute for chili. You might google bean free chili and see if someone has come up with something creative. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
Hey, Natasha! I love all of your recipes and use them constantly.
Do you have any nutritional information on them? I’d love to know the serving size and calorie information for the turkey chili, for example.
Thanks!
Christina
I’m glad to hear that Christina! Due to time constraints, I don’t typically include nutritional info, but check out this nutrition analyzer – you can plug in the ingredients from any recipe, select the serving size and it will give you nutritional info, calories, etc. I hope that is helpful to you!
I left out the white beans . I just finished putting everything I. The crockpot. Hope it was ok to leave them out.
Hi Alison, it should still work fine.
I found this recipe on Pinterest, and I’ve made it SO many times! I just had to come give it a review! I love love love this chili 🙂 My husband says the corn makes it over the top good! Thanks for the recipe.
I’m glad to hear you both love the recipe Jennifer! Thanks for sharing your excellent review! 🙂
I made this last week, maybe Wednesday and I used it as meal prep. I absoulutely loved it! my kids loved it and my husband couldnt get enough of it ( he hates turkey) I didnt think he would like it but we finished the last of it today, and I am making some for my pot luck on Wednesday. Thank you, this was by far some of the best turkey chili ive had.
Wow, that’s great! I’m so happy to hear how much everyone loves the recipe! Thank YOU for sharing your excellent review Mirna!
Would this still be good if I freeze it?
Hi Zhanna, I haven’t tried freezing it, but the ingredients are pretty freezer friendly so I think it would work well. 🙂
can i drain all the beans? my stomach cant take un-drained beans. will the chili still taste good?
Hi Alexandra, yes that would work fine, but keep an eye on the mixture since it will be thicker without the juice. You may need to add some chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.