Turkey Chili
Updated December 28, 2025
Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Prop Stylist: Paige Hicks.
- Total Time
- 50 minutes
- Prep Time
- 15 minutes
- Cook Time
- 35 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
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)
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Private Notes
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?
Needs significantly more seasoning — both in quantities and in total number of spices. Kind of underwhelming if you make it as it is.
Easy to prepare, love the veggies included, and a great taste.
Like many suggested I added coriander, doubled the cumin, added paprika and subbed ancho for chili. The end result was lacking in depth so I added about 5 tablespoons of tomato paste, miso and sherry vinegar bc why not. Turned out great.