Easy Turkey Chili Healthy Recipe
Looking for an easy turkey chili recipe that’s healthy for you too? Wait until you try this spicy chili recipe you can make in less than 30 minutes.
Turkey chili is a delicious and healthy meal that’s easy to make and perfect for any time of year.
Packed with protein, fiber, and an array of colorful vegetables, turkey chili is a filling and nutritious dish that will keep you satisfied for hours.
It’s one of those dishes that you can tweak to your liking or use up what you have in the refrigerator.
And this recipe for turkey chili couldn’t be more simple to make. I consider it a base recipe that you can modify however you like.
It’s a great go-to recipe when you are in a pinch. And I always keep the ingredients on hand so it’s an easy weeknight dinner option.
Wait until you try this healthy recipe for turkey chili!
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What is Turkey Chili Made Of?
Turkey chili is a nutritious and delicious dish that is made with ground turkey, beans, vegetables, and spices.
It is a great source of protein, fiber, and other nutrients, making it a healthy option for those who are looking for a filling and nutritious meal.
And for me, it’s a go-to family dinner idea during fall and winter because it’s easy to keep the ingredients on hand and have lots of leftovers.
Does Turkey Chili Taste Different from Beef Chili?
Yes, turkey chili typically has a different taste and texture compared to beef chili.
Ground turkey is lighter in flavor and has a finer texture compared to ground beef, which tends to have a stronger taste and coarser texture. Thus, turkey chili often has a milder flavor profile compared to beef chili. However, the spices used in the chili can greatly impact its overall taste.
So adding a variety of herbs and spices can result in a delicious and unique flavor. It’s one of the reasons my chili never tastes the same way twice!
Some people prefer the taste of turkey chili, while others prefer the taste of beef chili. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, dietary limitations, and taste.
Is Turkey Chili Good for You?
The answer is yes! Not only is turkey chili delicious, but it’s also incredibly healthy. Turkey is a lean protein that’s low in fat and calories, while beans and vegetables are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
This combination makes turkey chili a great option for anyone looking to lose weight, improve their health, or maintain a balanced diet.
The lean protein in ground turkey also helps to build and repair muscle, while the fiber-rich beans and vegetables promote digestive health and help to control blood sugar levels.
Additionally, the spices used in different turkey chili recipes, such as chili powder, garlic, and cumin, can provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits too.
I enjoy making it over beef chili for a few reasons. Since I try to make lower-calorie meals, turkey is lower in calories than beef so that’s how I prefer to make it.
Moreover, I prefer the flavor of ground turkey to beef. But also, I try to follow a diet that is low in red meat, so preparing chili with turkey helps me maintain that.
I’ve never really made it with beef, so my family has grown used to it as well. This has been my recipe for several years and they never complain!
Topping Ideas for Turkey Chili
You don’t need to have all of these to make a good chili but adding some toppings are a great way to enhance the flavors of this dish.
I like to mix them up and offer different toppings so it seems like we are having a different meal even though the base recipe is the same.
Some common chili toppings include:
- Shredded Cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican cheese blends
- Sour cream
- Sliced Avocado
- Guacamole
- Pico de Gallo
- Salsas
- Scallions
- Onions
- Jalapeño peppers
- Cilantro
- Tortilla Chips
- Hot Sauce
- Lime Wedges
These toppings can be added individually or in combination to create a unique flavor and a beautiful dish.
Why I Love This Easy Turkey Chili Healthy Recipe
One of the great things about turkey chili is that it’s highly customizable. If you prefer a spicier chili, you can saute a jalapeno before browning the meat or add more chili powder or hot sauce.
If you want to make it more filling, you can add additional vegetables or beans. And you can also play around with the seasonings to find the perfect combination of flavors that suit your taste buds.
This recipe for healthy turkey chili is super simple to modify too. Aside from the prepackaged items, I usually eyeball my spices. So feel free to adjust the seasonings up or down.
But what I love most about this particular turkey chili recipe, is how easy it is to make!
While you can make a little more work for yourself chopping up some fresh veggies to saute before browning the turkey but you don’t have to.
The base recipe has a lot of flavor on its own. I oftentimes make the base recipe and let the family add their own toppings. But when I have a little more time? I’ll saute some additional veggies like onions and jalapenos to add more layers of flavor.
Easy Turkey Chili Healthy Recipe
Another great thing about turkey chili is that you can easily make it in large batches. Which means you can enjoy it for several meals throughout the week. Oh and it also freezes well, so you can save leftovers for future meals.
I usually double this recipe so we can have leftovers for loaded nachos, tacos, stuffed peppers, or chili pizza.
As the recipe stands, it feeds a family of 4-5, so if you want leftovers, double it.
Ingredients
This easy turkey chili healthy recipe has a few ingredients, most of which you can keep on hand.
Here’s what you need.
- Ground Turkey
- Black Beans
- Diced Tomatoes
- Diced Green Chiles
- Frozen Sweet Corn
- Cumin
- Chili Powder
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
If you want to boost the nutritional content, add some additional vegetables if you like to the ingredient list. Sometimes I will saute red onions and jalapenos before browning the turkey to spice it up more but oftentimes, I make this as is and play around with the toppings instead.
I typically use canned pre-seasoned black beans, diced tomatoes, and green chiles. And I prefer the brand Kuner’s. However, if you can’t find that brand or are using what you have, you can easily season your own with additional cumin and chili spices.
Also, if you prefer kidney beans to black beans, you can swap that in too. I’ve made it both ways but prefer black beans. And sometimes I’ll even make this turkey chili healthy recipe with both.
You can also change it to white beans like navy or cannellini if you prefer making it as a white chili recipe. But for our taste, we like black beans.
Directions to Make Recipe for Healthy Turkey Chili
To make this easy chili recipe, heat a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.
(If you decide to dice some fresh veggies to get some additional nutrition in this dish, you’ll want to saute them here for 5-7 minutes until they cook down. But you don’t have to do it if you are short on time.)
When the oil is heated, brown the turkey, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. While the turkey is browning, spice it up with salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder.
After the turkey is browned, dump in the beans, frozen corn, tomatoes, and green chiles. Mix well and cook on medium for 10 minutes then allow to simmer for another 10 minutes so the flavors meld.
If we are in a rush, I don’t simmer for very long. But sometimes, I’ll make this dish in the morning and let it build flavors throughout the day. It’s a very flexible recipe so feel free to play around with it.
Easy Turkey Chili Healthy Recipe
Equipment
- 1 stockpot Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lb Turkey Ground
- 2 15 oz Canned Black Beans
- 2 15 oz Canned Tomatoes Diced
- 1 Diced Green Chiles
- 1 Bag Corn Frozen
- 1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Cumin
- 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cilantro Chopped (optional garnish)
- 1 Onion Red, Diced (optional garnish)
- Salsa Mango (optional garnish)
- Sour Cream (optional garnish)
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (optional garnish)
- Scallions Diced (optional garnish)
- Red Onion Diced (optional garnish)
- Jalapenos Diced (optional garnish)
- Avocado Sliced (optional garnish)
- Corn Chips (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Heat extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.
- Add ground turkey and brown (5-7 minutes).
- Add diced green chilies, diced tomatoes, corn, and beans. Mix well and cook on medium for 10 minutes.
- Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve in bowls and top with garnishes of your liking.
Nutrition
More About Healthy Turkey Chili Recipes
Do you have a favorite chili recipe you love? Do you prefer beef to turkey or vice versa? I would love to know more in the comments below.
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More About Healthy Turkey Chili Recipes
What is your favorite recipe for chili? Do you make it with turkey or do you prefer beef? I would love to know more in the comments below.
And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind the scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it on the blog. Would love to see you there too!
If you prefer to binge watch Bricks ’n Blooms on TV, we go more in-depth with tours and posts on my YouTube channel. Would love to hang out with you there!
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