Description
This hearty Turkey Chili is a comforting and flavorful dish made with lean ground turkey, a medley of beans, diced tomatoes, and aromatic spices. Perfect for a cozy meal, it simmers slowly to develop rich flavors and is deliciously topped with your favorite garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, and avocado.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground turkey
Beans and Tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Liquids and Spices
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Avocado
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic, sautéing for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Brown Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 7-8 minutes until it is browned and no longer pink.
- Toast Spices: Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to let the spices bloom and release their flavors.
- Add Beans and Tomatoes: Pour in the black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Stir everything together to combine well.
- Simmer Chili: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and flavors meld.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste the chili and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with your choice of optional toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, or fresh cilantro.
Notes
- For a spicier chili, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños when adding the spices.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure your chicken broth and any canned ingredients are gluten-free certified.
- This chili tastes even better the next day after flavors have rested overnight.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground turkey with plant-based protein and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Use low-sodium beans or rinse canned beans thoroughly to reduce sodium content.
