This thick, robust, hearty turkey chili recipe uses ground turkey, kidney beans, onions, garlic, and the perfect blend of seasonings. It is one of our favorite chili recipes; the whole family enjoys it.
I love to serve this with cornbread or cheddar beer bread for a complete meal. What warms the soul better than a big pot of slow-cooked meat, vegetables, and beans? Dinner doesn’t get much better than that. Chicken tortellini soup, white chicken chili, and loaded potato soup are just a few of our favorites.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Ground turkey: I prefer using ground turkey with dark and white meat. Ground turkey breast is too lean and lacks flavor. You can substitute ground beef or ground pork. If using ground beef, switch to beef broth.
- Seasonings: chili powder, cumin, dried oregano (fresh is too bitter), smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a little bit of ground cayenne.
- Crushed tomatoes: if you prefer chunkier tomatoes, use a 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes and a 6-ounce can of tomato paste.
- Chicken broth: preferably low-sodium
- Dark red kidney beans: you can substitute pinto beans or black beans
How to make Ground Turkey Chili
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Brown the ground turkey over medium-high heat in a Dutch Oven or heavy stockpot on the stovetop. When the turkey is about halfway brown, add the onion and cook until the onion is soft. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, paprika, onion powder, ground black pepper, and ground cayenne pepper. Cook for a minute, stirring constantly. Next, add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, kidney beans, pinto beans, and brown sugar. Simmer for about 35-45 minutes or until all the flavors have melded together and the chili has thickened. Spoon into bowls and top with your choice of toppings.
Preparation Tips
- Instead of tilting the large pot over to drain the fat, lean it until the fat drains to one side. Then, use a paper towel to absorb the excess grease. It is so much easier, and you won’t lose any meat while trying to eliminate the fat.
- Adjust the seasonings to your taste. If you love spicy food, read the section above on kicking up the heat.
- Try bell peppers, sweet potatoes, celery, or carrots if you want more veggies.
- Customize with your favorite toppings, such as pickled jalapenos, crispy bacon, sour cream, green onions, avocado, chopped cilantro, and tortilla chips.
Store and Reheat
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
To freeze, thoroughly cool the chili. Then, spoon it into an airtight container and freeze for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power. I always use reduced power so the beans do not explode.
Frequently Asked Questions
My daughter loves spicy food. She loves this chili, but in her opinion, it is mild. If you like your chili moderately spicy to the hot range, add some crushed red pepper, more cayenne pepper, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, sriracha, or sambal oelek. Just add a little as you go, and be sure to taste it so you don’t exceed your heat threshold.
To make it in a slow cooker, follow the recipe up to and including the step where you add the garlic and other spices. Once that step is complete, transfer everything over to a slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the beans) and cook on low for about 5 hours, then add the beans and cook for 1 hour.
Easy Turkey Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey not turkey breast
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ⅛-¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper to taste
- 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes do not drain
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 (15 ounce) cans dark red kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the ground turkey in a Dutch Oven or heavy stock pot over medium heat. When the ground turkey is about halfway browned, add the onion and continue cooking until soft, about 4-5 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, kidney beans, pinto beans, and brown sugar. Simmer for 35-45 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Instead of tilting the large pot over to drain the fat, lean it a little bit until the fat drains to one side. Then, use a paper towel to absorb the excess grease. It is so much easier, and you won’t lose any meat while trying to eliminate the fat.
- Adjust the seasonings to your taste. If you love spicy food, read the section above on kicking up the heat.
- Try bell peppers, sweet potatoes, celery, or carrots if you want more veggies.
- Customize with your favorite toppings, such as pickled jalapenos, crispy bacon, sour cream, green onions, avocado, chopped cilantro, and tortilla chips.
Nutrition
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Cara
This is a great recipe for a leaner meat like ground turkey. Still flavorful and not dry or tough!
Caroline
This turkey chili recipe was absolutely delicious and so easy to make. I loved how hearty and flavorful it was. I served it with rice instead of corn bread for a perfect cozy dinner on a chilly evening!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Caroline! So happy that you liked it.
Olga
I have never used turkey for chili, but it seems like a good idea. Next week is going to be very cold here, and turkey chili will be a good comfort dinner for my family. Thank you for the nice recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Olga!
Stacie
Making this TOMORROW morning! It looks too good to miss out on. I can’t wait to try this out.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stacie! Enjoy!
Barb
This turkey chili is always a huge hit. My family and friends love it. I made it for the game on Sunday and it was gobbled up! The guys loved it!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Barb! I am glad that the guys liked it!
Lisa
OMGoodness, I just made this turkey chili today and man was it good. The whole family loved it! This will be on on our menu on a regular schedule!
Claudia
I love how hearty this chili is while still being healthy. It has so much bold flavor, and we all loved it.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Claudia!
Kristine
YUM! Thanks for this turkey chili recipe. Such a healthy alternative to beef. My family loved this!
Emily
I have to send this recipe over to my mom! She was saying she had some turkey and wasn;t sure what to make with it this week; this would be perfect for her.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Emily! I hope she enjoys it as much as we do!
Donna C
Made just as written and it tasted great! Seasoning was spot on.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Donna! I am glad that you liked it!
Paula
Ooooh I’m so excited for chili season! The weather can’t chill fast enough, this was great.
Justine
Loooooove turkey chili! I added a little cinnamon, it was so good.
Beth Pierce
I love a little cinnamon in chili.
Elisa
Love this turkey chili recipe, it was so comforting and delicious. It is easily a new family favorite. Thanks for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Elisa!
MJ
This is a tasty chili and I love using ground turkey instead of ground beef!
Beth Pierce
Me too, MJ!
kushi
Flavorful and delicious chili recipe. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Kushi!
Janie
Love me some bowl of chili. I love using ground turkey cause I dont really eat beef due to gut issues. It’s packed full of flavors and I religiously make it monthly!