Why Make This Recipe
Healthy Turkey Chili is a delicious and hearty meal that is perfect for chilly nights or any day you crave comfort food. It’s packed with lean protein and veggies, making it a nutritious choice. This chili is a great way to enjoy flavors without a lot of calories, and it’s easy to make in one pot. Whether you’re cooking for family or meal prepping for the week, this recipe will satisfy everyone.
How to Make Healthy Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 lbs lean ground turkey
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 jalapeños, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (Texas Pete recommended)
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 packet Stevia
Directions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the lean ground turkey. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess liquid and transfer the cooked turkey to a plate lined with a paper towel.
- In the same pot, add a little olive oil and heat it. Add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and jalapeños. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions become translucent and the peppers soften.
- Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Return the browned turkey to the pot. Add crushed tomatoes, petite diced tomatoes, low sodium beef broth, tomato paste, hot sauce, kidney beans, chili powder, dried oregano, cumin, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and the packet of Stevia. Stir well and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover the pot, and let the chili simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once simmered, ladle the chili into bowls. Add your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro and enjoy your hearty, healthy turkey chili.
How to Serve Healthy Turkey Chili
Serve the Healthy Turkey Chili hot in bowls. You can garnish it with toppings of your choice, such as shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or freshly chopped cilantro. It pairs well with crusty bread or over rice for a filling meal.
How to Store Healthy Turkey Chili
To store leftover chili, let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. Place the chili in freezer-safe containers or bags and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Tips to Make Healthy Turkey Chili
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of lime juice before serving.
- You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less jalapeños or cayenne pepper.
- Use canned beans that are low in sodium for a healthier option.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini or carrots for more nutrients.
Variation
If you want a variation, you can make this chili vegetarian by using cooked lentils or other beans instead of turkey. You can also substitute ground turkey with chicken or beef if preferred.
FAQs
Can I use different beans in this recipe?
Yes, you can use any type of beans you like, such as black beans or pinto beans. Just make sure they are drained and rinsed if canned.
How spicy is this chili?
This chili has a mild spice level, but you can make it hotter by adding more jalapeños or extra hot sauce.
Can I make this chili in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! You can brown the turkey and sauté the veggies first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and let it cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Healthy Turkey Chili
A delicious and hearty turkey chili packed with lean protein and vegetables, perfect for chilly nights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb, High Protein
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 lbs lean ground turkey
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 jalapeños, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (Texas Pete recommended)
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 packet Stevia
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, over medium-high heat, add the lean ground turkey. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until browned. Drain any excess liquid.
- In the same pot, add olive oil and heat it. Add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and jalapeños. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions are translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.
- Return the browned turkey to the pot. Add crushed tomatoes, petite diced tomatoes, low sodium beef broth, tomato paste, hot sauce, kidney beans, chili powder, dried oregano, cumin, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and Stevia. Stir well and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover the pot, and let the chili simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with toppings of your choice. Enjoy!
Notes
For extra flavor, add a splash of lime juice. Adjust the spice level by modifying the jalapeños or cayenne pepper.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
