Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe
Posted Sep 06, 2020, Updated Feb 21, 2025
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This Healthy Turkey Chili recipe is easy to make in 30 minutes on the stovetop. Turkey chili is loaded with protein and veggies and bursting with flavor thanks to a homemade spice mixture. A nutritious and cozy fall meal.
Chili is one of our favorite fall and winter meals. We love beef chili, chicken chili, and of course I had to share our Turkey Chili Recipe with you!
This turkey chili is a healthy alternative to regular chili. It’s loaded with nutrient-dense veggies, protein-packed lean ground turkey and a homemade spice blend that’s flavorful and delicious. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese for a cozy fall dinner!
Turkey Chili Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions
One of the great things about this healthy chili recipe is that it’s very customizable! Here are some notes about the ingredients and possible substitutions!
- Ground turkey. The main ingredient in this turkey chili recipe. You can substitute ground chicken if necessary.
- Minced garlic. Garlic powder can be used in place of minced garlic, just add it with the spice blend.
- Bell peppers. any color variety of bell pepper works well in this recipe. If you like to add some heat, add some spicier peppers.
- Spice mixture. I have written this recipe with the spice ratios and combination that we love the most. If you change it I cannot guarantee the results. You can add more chili powder, or some cayenne powder to increase the heat if you wish (we like mild chili). Or, make this homemade chili seasoning and use 4 tablespoons of the mixture.
- Fire roasted tomatoes. I love the flavor that the fire roasted tomatoes adds to this easy turkey chili. You can substitute regular canned, diced tomatoes.
- Kidney Beans. I use one can of kidney beans because my husband does not prefer beans, so I don’t like to make our chili too “beany.” However you can add another can (2 cans total) if you love beans. You can also use any type of beans you like. My other favorites are black beans, great northern (white) beans, and garbanzo beans (chickpeas)!
- Tomato sauce. I always have canned tomato sauce on hand (to make homemade pizza sauce). But you can substitute homemade tomato sauce as well.
- Corn. Fresh and frozen corn both work well in this turkey chili.
How to Make Turkey Chili
Like I’ve said before, this healthy turkey chili recipe is easy to make and only takes 30 minutes on the stovetop. As always, we’ll walk through the process step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.
Begin this recipe by making the spice mixture. Simply mix the spices together in a small bowl and set them aside.
Then, cook the ground turkey, olive oil, onion and minced garlic in a large pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until turkey just begins to brown (7-10 minutes).
Next, add the bell peppers, cover and cook until peppers are soft (about 5 minutes).
Once the veggies are soft, add tomatoes, tomato sauce and chilies, and the spice mixture and stir until evenly distributed.
Then add the corn and beans and stir until combined. Cover & cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, reduce heat to a simmer until ready to serve.
Serve
People often ask, “what can you add to chili?” Once your chili is finished cooking, gather your favorite fixings and get ready to serve! Some of our favorite easy chili additions and side dish companions are:
- Green onions
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Cornbread (make cornbread muffins or the best cornbread ever)
- Pretzel bread (try it and thank me later)
- Croutons – the best homemade croutons or cornbread croutons (favorite).
Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
Freeze
You can freeze this turkey chili in an airtight container for up to 2 months!
Turkey Chili Recipe FAQs
My top three are black beans, northern (white) beans, and kidney beans.
Absolutely. Freeze it in an airtight container for up to two months.
Yes, all the beans should be drained and rinsed before using in this turkey chili recipe.
This chili uses lean ground turkey, lots of veggies and beans making it a healthy meal loaded with protein, fiber and nutrients.
If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!
Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup onion (diced)
- 2 bell peppers (diced)
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic (or 2 teaspoons garlic powder)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- 2 Tablespoons paprika
- 1 ½ Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt (more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 4 ounces diced green chilies
- 14 ounces kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- ½ cup corn (fresh or frozen & thawed)
Instructions
- Mix cumin, coriander, paprika, chili powder, sugar, sea salt and pepper together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cook ground turkey, olive oil, onion and minced garlic in a large pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until turkey just begins to brown (7-10 minutes).
- Add bell peppers, cover and cook until peppers are soft (about 5 minutes).
- Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and chilies and stir until evenly distributed.
- Add spice mixture and stir until evenly distributed.
- Add corn and beans and stir until combined.
- Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, reduce heat to a simmer until ready to serve.
- Serve with your favorite chili fixings! Our favorites include: sour cream, green onions, cheddar cheese, and crushed tortilla chips!
Video
Notes
- Ground turkey. You can substitute ground chicken if desired.
- Minced garlic. Garlic powder can be used in place of minced garlic, just add it with the spice blend.
- Bell peppers. any color variety of bell pepper works well in this recipe. If you like to add some heat, add some spicier peppers.
- Spice mixture. You can add more chili powder, or some cayenne powder to increase the heat if you wish (we like mild chili). You can use a packet of chili seasoning for ease, or make this homemade chili seasoning and use 4 tablespoons of the mixture.
- Fire roasted tomatoes. Regular canned, diced tomatoes can be used in place of fire-roasted.
- Kidney Beans. You can add another can (2 cans total) if you love beans. You can also use any type of beans you like. My other favorites are black beans, great northern (white) beans, and garbanzo beans (chickpeas)!
- Tomato sauce. Homemade tomato sauce can be used in place of canned.
- Corn. Fresh and frozen corn both work well in this turkey chili.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is flavorful and easy to prepare. Will make it again!
Made this recipe for the first time today. It will be the first of many times. So easy, inexpensive, and healthy, what more could you ask for. Thank you so much for sharing your talents.
This was so delicious! I have been using another simple chili recipe that I felt lacked flavor, but this one certainly does not! I also love that it is packed with veggies. I made mine with one can of kidney beans and one can of black beans. I left out the corn because I’m not a fan of corn. I also added about 3/4 cup of bone broth because I felt it needed a bit more liquid. For the sugar, I used coconut sugar.
So yummy! I am the only one in the house that will eat it, so I will definitely be freezing some.
This is a delicious recipe, it is now a regular in our house. Thank you for sharing!
So glad you love it Susie!