Low fat, high protein turkey chili that actually tastes good? It does exist! This lean, flavor-packed chili comes together in minutes and is the perfect base for loading with tasty toppings. I like to make a big batch on the weekend then reheat for healthy, filling lunches all week long.
One thing about me is, although I have nearly 1,000 recipes here on IGE, I’d be perfectly happy eating the exact same thing for every single meal, every single day. I’m a creature of habit!
That said, one of my favorite things to do is to make a big batch of something on the weekend — in this case Turkey Chili that actually tasted good — then portion it into individual-size storage containers to reheat for lunches all week long.
Healthy, low-fat, high-protein, and DELICIOUS pre-made meals? Here for it!
Turkey Chili that Actually Tastes Good
Whether you want to make healthy turkey chili for easy lunches, to hunker down with on a cold day, or serve to friends and family, you’re going to love this simple yet flavorful recipe.
I call this “turkey chili that actually tastes good” because ground turkey has a reputation for being flavorless and dry. That said, when its sauted with chopped veggies and aromatics then simmered in a chili-spiced tomato sauce, it remains tender, satisfying, and takes on all that delicious flavor.
I love serving this chili with a toppings bar so everyone can add what they like. Don’t forget the gluten free cornbread as a side dish!
Main Ingredients Needed
Raid the pantry and spice cupboard for the everyday ingredients needed to make this easy turkey chili. Here are the main things you’ll need:
- Ground turkey: I prefer using lean ground turkey, which includes white and dark meat, for the most tender texture, though ground turkey breast is also very delicious and low in fat.
- Vegetables: red bell pepper, onions, garlic, plus canned tomato sauce and fire-roasted tomatoes add nutrition.
- Jalepeños: add a craveable spice and a little something different to the Turkey Chili. Use none if you’re spice averse, or up to 2 if you want the chili to have a kick.
- Canned beans: pinto beans and black beans add low-fat protein, and are soft and creamy. (You will NEVER find kidney beans in my chili recipes #childhoodissues).
- Homemade Turkey Chili Seasoning: is a simple yet flavorful combination of chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion and garlic powders, and dried oregano.
Turkey Chili Topping Ideas
Each bowl of this healthy turkey chili recipe is delicious all on its own, but let’s be real — chili is all about the toppings! Here’s what I recommend:
- Shredded cheese: monterey jack, pepper jack, or sharp cheddar cheese are all great options.
- Tortilla Chips
- Diced avocados
- Fresh or pickled jalapenos
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Sour cream
- Chopped green onions
- Minced red or white onions
- Red or green hot sauce
I can’t reiterate enough — DO NOT FORGET THE CORNBREAD! (Tell me you’re from the Midwest without telling me…)
Serve with Gluten Free Cornbread
How to Make Totally Tasty Turkey Chili
Step 1: Saute the vegetables.
Start by heating a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a Dutch Oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped red bell pepper, shallots or onion, and a minced jalapeño then season with salt and pepper and saute until the veggies are tender, 5-7 minutes.
Add pressed or minced garlic then saute for 1 more minute.
Did You Know?
DYK the smaller the jalapeño, the spicier it is? If you’re going for a mild chili, I recommend using 1/2 of a large jalapeño. Be sure to remove the seeds and ribs, which hold a lot of the heat, before adding to the pot.
Step 2: Saute the turkey.
Next add ground turkey breast or ground turkey, season with salt and pepper then saute, breaking it up as it cooks, until the turkey is no longer pink.
Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients.
To the pot, add canned pinto beans and black beans that have been drained and rinsed, plus diced green chiles.
Lastly, add chicken broth plus a homemade turkey chili seasoning blend that includes spice cupboard staples like chili powder, cumin, paprika, and dried oregano.
Step 4: Simmer for 20 minutes.
Stir to combine all the ingredients then place a lid on top and simmer the turkey chili for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Scoop the Turkey Chili into bowls then top with alllll the fixins’. That’s all she wrote!
Leftovers Just Get Better
As I mentioned, I love to make a big pot of turkey chili on the weekend then portion it into individual-sized glass storage containers to reheat straight from the refrigerator for easy lunches all week long.
As I’m sure you’ll agree, it’s so nice having a pre-made lunch that’s not only delicious and satisfying, but healthy too.
Turkey Chili also freezes like a dream. Cool the chili down to room temperature then scoop into a gallon-size Ziplock freezer bag and freeze flat.
However you serve it, I hope you love each and every, flavorful bite — enjoy!
More Kickin’ Chili Recipes
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- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded then chopped
- 1 shallot or small yellow onion, chopped
- 1 – 2 jalapenos, seeded then minced
- salt and pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 1 lb ground turkey, see notes
- 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 4 oz can diced green chiles
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Toppings: shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, diced avocados, fresh or pickled jalapenos, chopped cilantro, sour cream, chopped green onions, minced red or white onions, red or green hot sauce
For the Turkey Chili Seasoning:
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Combine the ingredients for the homemade Turkey Chili Seasoning in a small bowl then set aside.
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Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the red pepper, shallots or onion, and jalapenos then season with salt and pepper and saute until the vegetables are tender, 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic then saute for 1 minute.
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Add the ground turkey then season with additional salt and pepper. Saute until the turkey is cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks. Add the black beans, pinto beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chiles, broth, and Chili Seasoning then stir to combine. Turn the heat up slightly to bring the chili to a simmer then place a lid on top, turn the heat down to low, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Scoop the Turkey Chili into bowls then serve with optional toppings.
- You can use ground turkey breast, or ground turkey — ground turkey will give you a more tender textured meat. Estimated nutritional information is for ground turkey breast.
Calories: 217kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 1000mg, Potassium: 760mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1684IU, Vitamin C: 33mg, Calcium: 92mg, Iron: 4mg
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Photos by Ashley McLaughlin
