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.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword turkey bean chili, turkey chili

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings servings

Calories 292kcal

Author Kelly Wildenhaus ~ the hungry bluebird

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)
1½ 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