Turkey Chili

Updated December 28, 2025

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Total Time
50 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
35 minutes
Rating
5(23,664)
Comments
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You might not think of chili as an easy weeknight dish, but this turkey version from Pierre Franey will change your mind. It's fabulous, it's healthy and it can be cooked in about a half hour. A combination of dark and white meat really adds depth and richness of flavor, so try to find a mix, but all white meat (or a mixture of ground beef and turkey) will yield a stellar batch too.

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Ingredients

Yield:About 6 servings
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 2 pounds ground turkey, white and dark meat combined

  • 2 cups coarsely chopped onions

  • 2 tablespoons chopped garlic

  • 1 large sweet red pepper, cored, deveined and coarsely chopped

  • 1 cup chopped celery

  • 1 jalapeño, cored, deveined and finely chopped

  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped, or 1 tablespoon dried

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 3 tablespoons chili powder

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 3 cups canned diced tomatoes

  • 2 cups chicken broth, fresh or canned

  • Salt and black pepper

  • 2 (15-ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained

  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar

  • 1 cup sour cream (optional)

  • Sliced lime, for garnish (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

58 grams carbs; 167 milligrams cholesterol; 765 calories; 12 grams monosaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 15 grams saturated fat; 38 grams fat; 15 grams fiber; 1690 milligrams sodium; 56 grams protein; 16 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oil over high in a large heavy pot and add the turkey meat. Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes, chopping down and stirring with the side of a heavy kitchen spoon to break up any lumps.

  2. Step 2

    Add the onions, garlic, sweet pepper, celery, jalapeño, oregano, bay leaves, chili powder and cumin. Stir to blend well. Cook for 5 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Add the drained beans and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes longer. Serve in bowls with Cheddar, and sour cream and lime wedges, if desired.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
23,664 user ratings
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Comments

Added my Chili Friends:
1/4 tsp. Espresso powder (or cocoa powder)
1/2 tsp: coriander, Chipotle powder, cinnamon
1 heaping Tbs. Brown sugar

I'm a fan of celery, provides wonderful flavor...include the small stalks with leaves.

I saute the onions, then garlic, then celery and pepper before adding the turkey, and use a bottle of beer instead of the stock.

Is this recipe referring to cooked turkey, as in thanksgiving leftovers? Or ground turkey?

Two pounds of ground turkey with dark and white meat

@Max can you describe the difference in flavor by adding beer and not chicken broth?

After reading the comments I cooked STEP2 and then STEP1. Absolutely false that there is too much liquid. Wonderful simple recipe. I would maybe add a drop more heat next time.

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