This healthy turkey chili recipe is packed with flavor, just as rich as its beef counterpart, and doesn't use any mixes or spice packets - it's all from scratch! You'll want to make a double batch of this easy turkey chili so you can enjoy it all week long.

Is this a healthy ground turkey recipe?

"Healthy" is pretty dependent on what your health goals are, but this particular ground turkey recipe is made with lean turkey, which has much less fat than beef, is packed full of beans to get a ton of filling fiber in, and coated in a luscious tomato based sauce, rich in lycopene, potassium, and vitamin C!

Can you substitute ground turkey for ground beef in chili?

YES! And it goes the other way too. This recipe is AWESOME when made with beef instead of turkey.

I love a beef chili as much as the next person, but ground turkey chili feels so much less guilty, and this version tastes just as hearty as the original.

What is the best secret ingredient for chili?

This is a highly debated topic! Many people love a dash of dark chocolate or a splash of coffee in their chili. For beef chili, those are great options!

For a white meat chili like this turkey chili recipe, I like the addition of roasted peppers like poblanos. They add an extra layer of flavor, without the bitterness of chocolate or coffee.

What are the best best toppings for turkey chili?

Shredded Cheese ( I like extra sharp cheddar and pepper jack )
Greek Yogurt ( or Sour Cream )
Fresh or Pickled Jalapeños
Tortilla Chips
Corn Chips
a squeeze of lime

ground turkey chili recipe with toppings

Healthy Turkey Chili

A delicious ground turkey healthy chili recipe made on the stovetop.

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Servings: people

Author: Marianne

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
2 cups Chopped Yellow Onion about 1 large onion
1 pound Ground Turkey, 93%
16 ounces Crushed Tomatoes
2 cups Chicken Broth
2 Poblanos roasted, peeled, and chopped ( see Note 1 )
16 ounces Light Red Kidney Beans
16 ounces Pinto Beans

Chili Seasoning ( see Note 2 )

2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
1 Tablespoon Cumin
1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper can omit for mild chili
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

OR ( see Note 2 )

¼ cup Homemade Chili Seasoning

Instructions

In a medium to large pot set over medium heat, sautee the onion in 1 Tablespoon of olive oil for 8 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the ground turkey and cook for another 8 minutes, breaking it up into small pieces with your cooking utensil as it cooks.
Stir in the chili seasonings and cook for 1 - 2 minutes to toast the spices.
Add the remaining ingredients to the pot and stir to combine. Simmer for at least 20 minutes.
Serve with greek yogurt or sour cream, freshly shredded cheddar or pepper jack, and pickled jalapenos.

Notes

Note 1:

I make a big batch of roasted, peeled, chopped poblanos and keep them in my freezer to throw in dishes like this. Check out my Roasted Poblano recipe for instructions on how to roast poblanos. Once they are roasted, peeled, and chopped, toss them in a freezer bag and put them in the freezer for later use.

If you cannot find poblanos where you live, you can substitute fire roasted chiles in a pinch.

Note 2:

You can use the chili seasoning listed in this recipe, or hop over to my Homemade Chili Seasoning post and use ¼ cup of that recipe instead.

Tried this recipe?Mention @basilandbubbly or tag #basilandbubbly!

What goes good with turkey chili?