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Warm up on a chilly fall day with this spicy and flavorful turkey chili. It’s simple and hearty and loved by the whole family.

My classic chili recipe is a crowd favorite at every cook-off I bring it to, but every once in a while I like to do something a little more unique. This turkey chili, Sweet Potato Chili, and Green Enchilada Pork Chili are all perfect for switching it up!

Turkey chili topped with cheese, sour cream and green onions.

Turkey + Beans

Have you ever tried ground turkey in your Chili? It’s one of my favorites! You can’t even tell the difference between ground beef. It’s just a little bit leaner and healthier, but still equally tasty.

You could also throw in some leftover shredded turkey from your Thanksgiving dinner.

And don’t forget about the beans! This recipe calls for kidney beans but you could substitute for any kind of beans you like. Or a mixture of a few different types. Either way- this turkey chili recipe is SO good and definitely worth making.

Ready in 30 Minutes!

Your house will fill with yummy chili spices and your family will come running to see what’s for dinner!

TURKEY. In a large pot, cook ground turkey over medium heat, stirring to break up meat, until browned and cooked through. Drain fat.

SPICES. Add sugar, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, garlic salt, paprika and pepper and stir to mix.

CHILI. Add tomato sauce, kidney beans, tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 25–30 minutes.

SEASON. Season with more garlic salt and pepper, if desired, and add any desired toppings before serving.

Toppings. Have toppings for people to add to their individual bowls. My favorite chili toppings include sour cream or Greek yogurt (which also helps lessen a spicy chili), green onion, cheddar cheese, sliced avocado, and fresh parsley. 

Turkey chili ingredients stirred together in pot.

Slow Cooker Directions

This turkey chili recipe does not take long to cook on the stovetop, but it is nice to dump all the ingredients in the crock pot and come home to a hot meal ready to eat.

Brown the turkey in a large skillet and chop the veggies the night before. Store them in separate containers in the refrigerator.

In the morning, add all the ingredients (reduce the amount of water to 1½ cups) to the crock pot and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.

Chili simmering and bubbling in pot.

Recipe Tips + Storing Info

Ground turkey chili can be topped with your favorites and served with cornbread for a perfectly cozy dish!

Toppings. Serve your healthy turkey chili recipe with all of your favorite toppings like avocado, tortilla strips, tortilla chips, grated cheese, and cilantro! We like to serve ours with Cornbread on the side. Always a good idea!!

Variations. There are lots of variations and additions you can make to this best turkey chili recipe.

  • Beans. Add different beans (black beans or pinto beans).
  • Veggies. Mix in onions or bell peppers.
  • Spices. Spice it up with cayenne pepper.
  • Meat. Use ground beef instead of lean ground turkey.

STORE. Keep easy turkey chili in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 6 days. Reheat small portions in the microwave and larger portions on the stovetop.

FREEZE. Pour it into freezer-safe gallon bags, label, date it, and pop it in the freezer for about 6 months. When you’re ready to eat it, just thaw it over the stove.

Close up of turkey chili in a bowl.

Recipe FAQ

Should turkey chili be thick or soupy?

Chili should be between a thin soup and a thick chowder. You can adjust the texture by adding water or chicken broth to thin it out or let it simmer longer to thicken.

How to add spice to turkey chili?

If you like your chili to have some heat you can easily increase the amount of chili powder and paprika and add diced jalapenos. You can also make a mild chili and have red pepper flakes and hot sauce on the side for people to add to their individual bowls.

What are the secret ingredients found in chili?

A lot of cooks like to add a secret ingredient to chili, usually in the form of spice so that it isn’t visible. Often the secret ingredient is 1-2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder and another ingredient people like to add is 1-2 teaspoons of cinnamon for an added depth of flavor. Stir in your favorite ingredient and wait for people to ask for your recipe.

For More Chili Recipes, Try:

5 from 7 votes

Turkey Chili Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Warm up on a chilly fall day with this spicy and flavorful turkey chili. It's packed with veggies and beans for a tasty bite!
Servings: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • ½ tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • pepper to taste
  • 2 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
  • 1 15.5 ounce can red kidney beans, drained
  • 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • cups chicken broth
  • Toppings sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions, avocado

Instructions 

  • In a large pot, cook ground turkey over medium heat, stirring to break up meat, until browned and cooked through. Drain fat.
  • Add sugar, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, garlic salt, paprika and pepper and stir to mix.
  • Add tomato sauce, kidney beans, tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 25–30 minutes.
  • Season with more garlic salt and pepper, if desired, and add any desired toppings before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 81kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 0.3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 32mg, Sodium: 504mg, Potassium: 238mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 393IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
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About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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