Turkey Chili

By Pierre Franey

Updated December 28, 2025

  • Three green bowls of turkey chili are topped with sour cream, shredded Cheddar and sliced scallions. Lime wedges and smaller bowls of additional cheese and sour cream are nearby.
    Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Prop Stylist: Paige Hicks.
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
50 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
35 minutes
Rating
5(24,036)
Comments
Read comments

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.

Featured in: 60-Minute Gourmet

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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 monounsaturated 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
24,036 user ratings
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Comments

Irene

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.

Max

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

Anne H

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

Venny

Taste great as the recipe currently calls. It is a tad watery, but it definitely doesn't diminish the flavor. I would not modify the recipe, but if you want it thicker, see some of the comments for recipe adjustments.

CJ

Saute the vegetables first then brown the meat, adding the spices, including cinnamon, cocoa and espresso powder. Use a strong beer if you have it. For meat I've used a combo of turkey, beef and turkey sausage -- so good.

Joe B

Turned out absolutely perfect: Big Pot 2T EVOO Add: - 3C Onion - 2C Celery - 2Red Peps - 2Jala Stir for 5 Let fond form Open center, EVOO 3T Garlic Add: - 4T Chili Pow - 1T Cumin - 2T Chile Powder - 3BayLeav - 2T Oreg - 1T Cocoa Pow - 1T Espress Pow - 1T Salt - 1T Pep - 2T DkBrnSug - 2T TJ's Umami Stir 2x Costco Grnd Turk Brown a bit Add - 1C Chxn Broth - 1Can FireRoTom - 1BigCan Cento Simmer15, Adjust Spice 2C Rinsed RdKid Simmer 10 Smush a bit Serve w Tortilla Chips, Sour Cream, Cheddar

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