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Healthy Turkey Chili

The BEST turkey chili! A thick, rich healthy turkey chili with just the right amount of spice. Award winning recipe that will be your new favorite!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 8 servings (16 cups of very thick chili)
Calories: 227 kcal
Course: Main Course , Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Healthy Turkey Chili:
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 medium onions diced
  • 2 bell peppers any color, cored and chopped
  • 2 large carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 1 medium sweet potato peeled and cubed (optional—I added it!)
  • 2 pounds ground turkey (I used 93% lean)
  • 1 1/2-2 cups water more as needed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes in their juices
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2  teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Pinch red pepper flakes
Optional Turkey Chili Toppings:
  • Sliced fresh avocado
  • Thinly sliced jalapeño
  • shredded cheese
  • plain non-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • Freshly chopped cilantro

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium heat. Add the garlic, onions, bell peppers, carrots, celery, and sweet potato. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, until soft.
  2. Add the turkey and cook until browned, 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often to break up the chunks.
  3. Once the meat is browned, add 1 1/2 cups water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes in their juices, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a moderate bubble. Let cook, uncovered, until the chili thickens, about 45 minutes, stirring every so often so that the chili does not stick to the bottom. If the chili becomes too thick, add a little water to reach your desired consistency.
  4. Toward the end of the cooking time, taste and adjust the seasonings as desired. Add more cayenne pepper for an extra kick and more salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with desired toppings.

Notes

  • Lexi's original version of the chili calls for slowly simmering it (in lieu of my "moderate bubble") on the stove for 3 hours, adding more water as needed. Since I started cooking the chili later in the day (ahem, I was running late), I cooked it more quickly, which you will see reflected in the recipe directions.
  • TO ADD BEANS: Add 1 (15-ounce) can black beans and/or 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans.
  • TO STORE: Refrigerate chili in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
  • TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
  • TO FREEZE: Freeze chili in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1(of 8), about 2 cups Calories 227kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 14g (5%) Protein 24g (48%) Fat 10g (15%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 91mg (30%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 4g (8%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings (16 cups of very thick chili)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 227

% Daily Value*

Serving 1(of 8), about 2 cups
Calories 227kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 14g 5%
Protein 24g 48%
Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 91mg 30%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 4g 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.