5.0 from 12 votes
The Best Healthy Turkey Chili
Healthy Turkey chili is a comforting and healthy meal prepared with leftover shredded turkey and cooked either in the slow cooker or stovetop. It makes one of those high-protein dinners for the Fall and Winter months!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 3212 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil You can use avocado oil or canola oil as alternatives.
- 2 medium white onions diced. Or yellow onions.
- 2 carrots chopped. If carrots are unavailable, you can use parsnips or celery.
- 2 garlic cloves minced. Garlic powder will work in a pinch.
- 1 tablespoon chili powder Try paprika for a milder substitute or cayenne for more heat.
- 2 tablespoons cumin Coriander will also work.
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano Dried marjoram or basil can replace oregano.
- 2 bay leaves Thyme may offer a similar depth of flavor, though not quite the same.
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- fresh black pepper to taste
- 4 cups shredded leftover turkey meat You can also use shredded chicken.
- 28 ounce 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes (Diced tomatoes or tomato puree can be used if needed).
- 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (Regular diced tomatoes will also work, or for a similar flavor, you can add a touch of smoked paprika).
- 4 cups chicken broth Vegetable stock or turkey stock will also work
- 15.5 ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed + drained (or, try black beans or pinto beans).
- 15.5 ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed + drained (Great Northern beans or chickpeas are other good options).
- ½ cup frozen corn You can also use fresh corn kernels or drained canned corn.
Instructions
Stovetop Method
- Heat a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the oil and then the onions and carrots, and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions start to soften. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper, to taste. Cook for 1 minute or until the flavors blend.
- Add the turkey meat, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and stock. Simmer, partially covered, over medium-low heat for 25 minutes.
- Stir in the kidney beans, cannellini beans, and corn, and simmer for 5-8 minutes longer.
- Discard bay leaves, adjust salt and pepper, and serve your healthy turkey chili with toppings of choice.
Cup of Yum
Crockpot
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and carrots, and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring once and a while.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper, to taste. Cook for 1 minute or until the flavors blend. Transfer everything to the crock pot!
- Add the turkey meat, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, stock, kidney beans, cannellini beans, and corn to the crock pot. Stir to combine and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours.
- Discard the bay leaves, adjust the salt and pepper, and serve crock pot turkey chili with toppings of choice such as chopped green onions, sour cream, and avocado slices.
Notes
- How to Store
- Store turkey chili leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- To freeze it, transfer cooled chili into freezer-safe containers (or freezer-safe bags) and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat on the stovetop over medium heat.
Nutrition Information
Calories
321.2kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
38.2g
(13%)
Protein
26.8g
(54%)
Fat
8.1g
(12%)
Saturated Fat
1.3g
(7%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1.4g
Monounsaturated Fat
4.5g
Trans Fat
0.01g
Cholesterol
49.3mg
(16%)
Sodium
1339.5mg
(56%)
Potassium
1045.3mg
(30%)
Fiber
9.8g
(39%)
Sugar
9.3g
(19%)
Vitamin A
3318.6IU
(66%)
Vitamin C
14.6mg
(16%)
Calcium
158.5mg
(16%)
Iron
6.2mg
(34%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 3212
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 321.2kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 38.2g | 13% |
| Protein | 26.8g | 54% |
| Fat | 8.1g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 1.3g | 7% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.4g | 8% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4.5g | 23% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 49.3mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 1339.5mg | 56% |
| Potassium | 1045.3mg | 22% |
| Fiber | 9.8g | 39% |
| Sugar | 9.3g | 19% |
| Vitamin A | 3318.6IU | 66% |
| Vitamin C | 14.6mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 158.5mg | 16% |
| Iron | 6.2mg | 34% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.