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Turkey Chili Recipe

Turkey Chili Recipe
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★★★★★

5.3 from 15 reviews

This hearty Turkey Chili is a flavorful and comforting dish perfect for chilly days or anytime you crave a spicy, protein-packed meal. Made with ground turkey, a blend of spices, tomatoes, and beans, it’s a healthy and satisfying twist on classic chili, garnished with optional toppings like sour cream, green onions, and shredded cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 2 green bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds ground turkey

Spices & Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • ½ tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Tomato Base

  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 30 ounces diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Beans

  • 1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Optional Garnishes

  • Green onions, chopped
  • Sour cream
  • Shredded cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare the aromatics: Heat the cooking oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped green bell peppers, diced onion, and minced garlic. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
  2. Cook the turkey and spices: Add the ground turkey to the pot and cook until it’s just done, breaking the meat apart as it cooks. Then stir in cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and salt. Cook for approximately 1 minute, stirring continuously to toast the spices and fully incorporate them with the turkey.
  3. Add tomato base and simmer: Pour in the tomato sauce and the diced tomatoes. Stir in the brown sugar to balance the acidity. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, and cook for about 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  4. Add beans: Stir in the rinsed and drained pinto beans and kidney beans evenly into the chili mixture.
  5. Add baking soda: Sprinkle in the baking soda and stir. This will cause the chili to bubble briefly; continue stirring until the bubbles disappear. This step helps reduce acidity and improve texture.
  6. Final simmer: Reduce heat to low and simmer the chili for an additional 10 minutes so all ingredients meld perfectly and the chili thickens slightly.
  7. Serve and garnish: Ladle the warm chili into bowls and garnish with optional green onions, sour cream, and shredded cheese according to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey with lean ground chicken or beef if desired.
  • Adjust chili powder to taste for more or less heat.
  • Baking soda helps neutralize the acidity of the tomatoes and beans, improving texture.
  • For a thicker chili, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes or add a small amount of tomato paste.
  • Use low-sodium beans and tomato products to control salt content.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey chili, healthy chili recipe, ground turkey recipe, bean chili, spicy chili, easy dinner, weeknight chili

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/turkey-chili-recipe/