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 SO loved this. This has been added as one of my go to recipes. I just love when I find a recipe that my family loves. Makes me feel like a real chef lol
Great job! I hope they all love every recipe that you will try, Elizabeth.
Probably the most flavorful turkey chili I’ve had/made. I’ll definitely make it again. And it will probably replace my beef chili!
Love it! Thanks for your awesome feedback, Josie!
Thank you for this recipe! My daughter doesn’t usually rave about food… but she was raving about it during dinner and even the day after!
That is the best when kids love what we moms make. That’s so great!
Great recipe! Is it supposed to be 30 oz. of tomato sauce and 15 oz of diced tomatoes? Instead of the other way around? That’s what it looks like in your pic
Hi Irene, the written recipe is correct.
Two thumbs up from my entire family! Including two teenagers. This was great!
That is the best when kids love what we moms make. That’s so great!
Hi Natasha. This is our favourite chili recipe. I can never find cans of white beans so I throw in a can of pork n beans! So delicious!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Hi Lynne, some people don’t know this but another name for the white beans is Cannellini beans which are sold in most grocery stores.
And I’ll be making this chili this weekend. It looks delicious!
I hope you love this recipe, Stephanie!
This is a fast and easy recipe. Tastes delicious. I usually make two pots of soups and chilis separately and freeze one for later. YUMMY – thanks
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
The printed directions on this is printed wrong, you need 30oz of tomato sauce and 15oz of diced tomatoes. It shows that in the picture but not on the actual recipe!!!
Hi Tiffani, the printed recipe is correct. I used two of the 15 oz diced tomatoes and a portion of the tomato sauce, not the full package. I think it would still work the other way but would be thinner and less hearty.
Natasha. I want to make your turkey chili in the slow cooker but now confused with tomato sauce and diced tomato measurement , since reading comments disputing directions Can you please advice. Also can you tell me if the beef chili is more flavorful than turkey. Just want your opinion
Thanks for helping me in the kitchen
Hi Dena, the measurements in the recipe card are correct – I clarified slightly just in case folks were misreading, but the measurements are correct. I’m not seeing the disputing directions. Please let me know if it still looks confusing. Because this is so fast on the stove, we use this one the most and often replace the chicken with ground beef and it’s great.
Hello
What is the serving size ?
Like how many cups etc
Hi Sarah, it makes 8 bowls of chili.
My fiancé loved this And I did too, but with all the cans of beans, and tomatoes, and corn, I think one pound of turkey wasn’t enough. We had some chopped up smoked turkey that we chopped up and put in. I think next time I will put more ground turkey in it.
Sounds good, Kathy. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Hi Natasha, Would it be possible to swap out the Turkey for Mushroom or ? To make it vegetarian for my DIL? Many Thanks Tarnya
Hi Tany, I have not tried a vegetarian substation. If you happen to test it our I would love to know how you like that.
Swap out turkey for butternut squash, to make a vegetarian version. It works great!
Delicious & easy! I added Green Pepper & slice of chopped Jalapeno Pepper from a jar, doubled the dry seasonings & used Stewed Tomatoes (didn’t have diced tomatoes. Garnished with the fresh lime, avocado and sour cream. Soooo yummy!
That’s so great! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, LaWanda! I’m happy you enjoyed that!
can i make this in an instant pot and if so how long?
Hi Rachel, I haven’t tried this because it cooks so quickly, but if I did, I would try to deglaze the instant pot after browning the meat (scrape the bottom of the pan with a little liquid so you don’t get the burn notice) and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
Saw your picture on the blackanddeckerrd account on Instagram.
Thank you for sharing that Avery!
I made it for my family tonight. It was delicious on a rainy rainy memorial day! Perfect!
Love it! So glad you chose this recipe, thanks for your excellent feedback.
Not a fan of turkey but wanted to try something other than beef for my dad. Wow, this is THEE best chili that I’ve made. Super yummy that there were no left overs!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
Delicious! Hubby wants me to make it again!
Awesome! Thanks Gale.
Sounds like you found a new family favorite Gale. That’s so great.
Love this recipe, it’s my new go to chili recipe! I add in green peppers and diced quarter round of zucchini also. I was out of tomato sauce once so I used some pureed pumpkin I had from canning in the fall and it was delicious! (I love veggies in my chili lol)
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Karen!
Delicious. Every time I crave chili, this is my go to recipe. Thank you for another great recipe.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Irena!
Have not tasted end product but can tell already it will be made again!
I hope you try this soon, Nia! Thank you for that awesome review!