Packed with lean protein and flavorful spices, this spicy turkey chili is the perfect way to satisfy your comfort food cravings! This simple chili recipe can be made on the stovetop or in your slow cooker for an easy, delicious weeknight dinner!
Why we love this spicy turkey chili
This spicy turkey chili is the ultimate comfort food, and can be made all in one pot! If you love easy, tasty and comforting recipes you need to make this. It’s packed with lean ground turkey, kidney beans and the perfect blend of spices, cooked until all of the ingredients come together.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd with a large pot of chili for game day or just meal-prepping for a cold day, this turkey chili is sure to be a hit! This hearty dish is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly day and is packed with protein and flavor. Whether you’re whipping up a batch for a cozy night in or meal prepping for the week ahead, turkey chili always hits the spot. Pile a bowl high with your favorite chili toppings and dig in!
A big bowl of this spicy turkey chili goes really well with my rosemary cornbread muffins or Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Key Ingredients for this recipe
Ground Turkey
A pound of ground turkey is in this homemade turkey chili, which makes it a great protein-packed dish! Turkey chili has a milder, slightly sweeter flavor compared to beef chili. The turkey meat tends to take on the flavors of the other ingredients in the chili, making it a versatile option for different seasonings and spices. Not only does turkey provide a leaner protein option, but it also offers a variety of health benefits. Unlike beef, turkey is lower in fat and cholesterol, making it a heart-healthy alternative. Additionally, turkey is rich in nutrients such as selenium, zinc, and vitamin B6, which support a strong immune system and overall wellbeing.
Onion
Adding onions to this easy recipe can take it to a whole new level of deliciousness. Not only do onions add a depth of flavor to your chili, but they also provide a satisfying texture and a subtle sweetness that perfectly complements the spices and heat of the dish. You can use a red onion, yellow onion or white onion in this easy turkey chili recipe
Diced Tomatoes
Adding diced canned tomatoes to your chili will bring a rich and tangy flavor to the pot, but they also add a burst of freshness and juiciness to each bite. The acidity of the tomatoes helps to balance out the richness of the meat and the heat of the spices, creating a well-rounded and flavorful dish.
Tomato Sauce
Adding tomato sauce to this healthy turkey chili recipe provides a luscious texture to your chili. The natural umami of the tomatoes helps to deepen the overall flavor profile of the dish, making it more robust and satisfying.
Seasoning
Ground chili powder, ground cumin, salt, minced garlic, cayenne pepper and Worcestershire sauce are all added to the pot to create a flavorful chili recipe.
Red Kidney Beans
Red kidney beans are great for adding an extra boost of flavor and nutrition to this classic chili recipe! These hearty beans are packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients like potassium and iron. Plus, they’re low in fat and cholesterol-free, making them a healthy addition to any dish. So, if you want to elevate your chili game, kidney beans are a must! Alternatively, you could add pinto beans, navy beans or a can of black beans.
How do I make spicy turkey chili?
- First, heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot on the stove top over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until onions are translucent.
- Next, add the ground turkey and stir until the turkey meat is crumbled and almost completely browned. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot with your wooden spoon as you’re stirring.
- Add the chili powder and spices and stir until combined.
- Add the Worcester sauce, whole tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beans. Stir to combine.
- Finally, bring the chili to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 1 hour. Stir often so that the chili doesn’t stick to the bottom of the dutch oven. Serve hot with your favorite toppings!
What should I top my chili with?
In addition to the chili ingredients listed in this recipe for chili, you may also want to have these things as toppings.
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- A dollop of sour cream
- Sliced jalapenos
- Crackers (I personally like topping mine with crushed Cheezits or Goldfish!)
- Sliced avocado
- Cilantro
- Diced onion
- Green onions
- Crushed tortilla chips
FAQ and Expert Tips
Let the chili cool completely before storing in the fridge in an airtight container. If you’re freezing for meal prep, let cool completely before placing in freezer bags. Lay them flat in the freezer when storing. It will keep in the freezer for 6 months. When thawing, allow it to do most of the work in the refrigerator and then rewarm it on the stovetop with a bit of chicken broth or water.
Yes! Start by browning the turkey on the stove top in a non-stick skillet. Break the meat up into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon until it’s no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and add to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients (onion, seasonings, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and beans) and stir well. Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 8 hours, 4 hours on high.
Additional Recipes to Try
If you loved this chili, check out these other great recipes!
Quick and Easy Instantpot Minestrone – Packed with fresh veggies, beans, pasta, and aromatic herbs, this hearty Instant Pot Minestrone soup is ready in just 15 minutes!
Instantpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Soup – this soup tastes like it’s from a restaurant, and can be made in under 30 minutes!
Roasted Tomato Soup – made with oven-roasted heirloom tomatoes, garlic and caramelized onions to give you a rich, flavorful bowl! Pair it with grilled cheese for the ultimate comfort food meal!
Spicy Turkey Chili
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Packed with lean protein and flavorful spices, this spicy turkey chili is the perfect way to satisfy your comfort food cravings! This simple chili recipe can be made on the stovetop or in your slow cooker for an easy, delicious weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
1 tbl olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp worcestershire
1 (28 ounce) can canned crushed or whole tomatoes
2 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 (16 ounce) can kidney beans – drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
¼ cup chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp black pepper
2 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Heat the oil in a large dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions to the pot and cook until translucent. Add turkey to the pot, and cook until evenly almost completely brown. Mix in chili powder, cumin, garlic, cayenne pepper, black pepper and salt
Mix in crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire, tomato sauce and beans. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for one hour. Garnish with toppings of your choosing.
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5 Comments
When the weather turns cold I love to cook soups and chillis. The important part to making the recipe work is getting quality ingredients. Be sure and do your research on where you get your ingredients before buying.
Delicious chili…hot and yummy!
I used left over turkey,chopped up fine. Also used homemade tomato paste instead of sauce. Turned out great.
Perfection!
Delish! I added a little less cayenne but added fresh hatch chilis and a fresh habanero pepper. It was GOOD.