4.6 from 15 votes
Healthy Turkey Chili
This healthy turkey chili is great for busy weekdays and one of my favorite recipes to meal prep! This flavor-packed chili has both stove top and slow cooker instructions and is ready to knock your socks off!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings:
3
servings
Calories:
486 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey used 93% lean
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1 TBSP garlic chopped, fresh
- ½ cup celery chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped, medium
- 1 jalapeño cored, deveined and finely chopped
- 1 ½ tsp oregano dried
- 1 bay leaf
- 1.5 TBSP chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin ground
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, petite
- 1 cup tomato sauce canned
- 1 can pinto beans 15-16 oz) mild, medium, or spicy, chili style
- ½ tsp cocoa powder optional
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- cheese for topping
- sour cream
- lime
TASTY TOPPING OPTIONS - choose your favorites!
- sour cream or Greek yogurt
- jalapeno pepper sliced
- cheddar cheese grated
- corn chips crispy
- scallions fresh
- avocado sliced
- Pico de Gallo
- salsa
Instructions
STOVE TOP INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat oil over high heat in a medium-large pot or dutch oven.
- Add the turkey and cook until lightly browned, approx. 5 minutes, chopping/stirring with the side of a spoon or spatula to break it up into crumbles.
- Add the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, celery, and jalapeño along with oregano, chili powder, cumin, and a bay leaf. Mix well and cook an additional 5 minutes to soften the vegetables.
- Next add the diced tomatoes (no need to drain) and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer (somewhere between low and medium) and cover pot with a lid. Simmer for 15 minutes, checking and stirring about halfway through.
- Add chili beans, optional cocoa powder (love it so) and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Divide chili into bowls and top with all your favorite chili toppings!
Cup of Yum
SLOW COOKER INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat oil over high heat in a medium-large pot or dutch oven. Add the turkey and cook until lightly browned, approx. 5 minutes, chopping/stirring with the side of a spoon or spatula to break it up into crumbles. Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Transfer turkey to the slow cooker and add all remaining ingredients. Mix and secure the lid. Cook on low heat for 4-6 hours.
- Season with any additional salt and pepper desired (to taste) and portion into bowls. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- Craving some HEAT? You make this chili spicy by adding the seeds from the jalapeño into the mix or even using two jalapeños in your chili. Another option is some ground cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for some tasty fire in your bowl!
- Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed based on toppings chosen and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Calories
486kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
48g
(16%)
Protein
40g
(80%)
Fat
18g
(28%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
6g
(35%)
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Trans Fat
0.2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
112mg
(37%)
Sodium
1137mg
(47%)
Potassium
1690mg
(36%)
Fiber
15g
(60%)
Sugar
15g
(30%)
Vitamin A
3341IU
(67%)
Vitamin C
81mg
(90%)
Calcium
219mg
(22%)
Iron
8mg
(44%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 3 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 486
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 486kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 48g | 16% |
| Protein | 40g | 80% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 112mg | 37% |
| Sodium | 1137mg | 47% |
| Potassium | 1690mg | 36% |
| Fiber | 15g | 60% |
| Sugar | 15g | 30% |
| Vitamin A | 3341IU | 67% |
| Vitamin C | 81mg | 90% |
| Calcium | 219mg | 22% |
| Iron | 8mg | 44% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.