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Chili in pot.
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5 from 3 votes

Turkey Chili

Turkey chili with chunky vegetables, tomatoes with spicy chiles and beans. Loads of flavor in this hearty chili, lightened up a bit with ground turkey.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 292kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 pounds ground turkey (white and dark meat mix)
  • 2 cups yellow onion, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 sweet red bell pepper, cored, deveined and coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup celery, large dice
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano, crushed to release flavor
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 (14½-oz.) can fire roasted tomatoes, diced
  • 1 (10-oz.) can fire roasted (or regular) diced tomatoes and green chilis (like Rotel)
  • 1 (10-oz.) can diced tomatoes with habaneros (like Rotel spicy)
  • cups chicken broth/stock, preferably homemade
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 2 (15-oz.) cans of red kidney beans, drained
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, hot sauce and lime wedges

Instructions

  • In a large heavy dutch oven, heat oil until shimmering.  Blot turkey dry with paper towels, add to pot.  Do not move and let lightly brown for a couple minutes.  Turn meat in chunks, continue to brown a few more minutes.  Then start breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon to break up lumps, and brown, about 7 or 8 minutes.
  • Add onions, garlic, red pepper, celery, oregano, bay leaves, chili powder and cumin.  Stir well and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the diced tomatoes and tomatoes with chilis, chicken broth, salt and pepper.  Bring up to a boil and then turn down to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the drained beans and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 10 minutes.  Taste for salt, serve in bowls with toppings on the side.

Notes

  • Don't use all white meat turkey, it will be too dry and lack flavor.  Use a mix of light and dark.
  • You can use whatever diced tomatoes combination you like, including just regular diced tomatoes.  Use 3 cups diced tomatoes and 2 cups of chicken broth, as a guide to the amount.
  • Try swapping out the beans with sweet potatoes.  Just peel and dice 2 sweet potatoes and add with the tomatoes.  Simmer 25 minutes or longer until tender.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 643mg | Potassium: 958mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1749IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 5mg