Easy Turkey Chili
On April 11, 2025
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Loaded with ground turkey and hearty veggies all seasoned with a homemade chili blend, get cozy with this Turkey Chili in just under an hour.
Ground Turkey Chili
When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing more comforting than a hearty bowl of chili. With this Easy Turkey Chili, you get all the cozy vibes without the heaviness of traditional beef versions. Made with lean ground turkey, a colorful mix of vegetables, and a bold homemade chili seasoning, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, game day gatherings, or anytime you’re craving something warm and filling.
It comes together in under an hour and is packed with flavor, texture, and just the right amount of heat. Let’s make some chili!
What kind of turkey goes in chili?
When making turkey chili, you’ll want to use ground turkey. Most grocery stores offer a few options, typically ranging from 85–99% lean. I recommend using lean ground turkey with a fat ratio of 93:7. This provides a good balance of flavor while still being leaner than beef. The 99% lean version can sometimes be too dry, while the 85% version has a bit more fat (though still less than ground beef).
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also use ground turkey thigh meat, which has slightly more fat and flavor than standard ground turkey.
What’s in turkey chili?
Don’t confuse turkey chili with white chicken chili. Both are poultry-based alternatives to traditional beef chili, but they’re quite different dishes.
This turkey chili recipe follows the same style as my classic ground beef chili with tomatoes, kidney beans, and traditional seasonings, but with ground turkey instead of beef. White chicken chili, on the other hand, uses chicken, white beans, and a creamy base with green chilies for a completely different flavor profile.
If you’re looking for a white chicken chili recipe, check out my White Chicken Chili recipe instead!
Homemade Chili Seasoning
This hearty chili combines lean ground turkey with a medley of vegetables and spices so you can make it totally from scratch. Here’s what you’ll need if you want to make your own seasoning:
- Ground turkey: The leaner main protein that still delivers great flavor and texture
- Vegetables: Yellow onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic create a flavorful base
- Beans: Kidney beans add heartiness, texture, and plant-based protein
- Tomatoes: A combination of tomato paste, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes creates rich depth
- Beef stock: Adds savory flavor that complements the turkey
- Seasonings: My Homemade Chili Seasoning brings everything together with the perfect balance of spices
- Brown sugar: Just a touch to balance the acidity of the tomatoes
If heat isn’t your thing, you can adjust the heat level by adding more or less cayenne pepper. Making your own seasoning allows you complete control over the flavor profile and helps you avoid the preservatives and excess sodium found in store-bought packets.
My Fiesta Rub also works as a great chili seasoning if you don’t feel up to making your own batch.
How to Make Turkey Chili
Making this chili is straightforward and rewarding. Here’s how to do it:
- Brown the turkey. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned, breaking it into smaller pieces as it cooks. Because turkey doesn’t have as much fat as beef, be careful not to overcook it or it can become dry.
- Add aromatics. Stir in the diced onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 more minutes.
- Add wet ingredients. Pour in the beef stock, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan with your wooden spatula to release any browned bits (that’s flavor!). Add the kidney beans (drained and rinsed), tomato paste, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes.
- Season and simmer: Stir in the Homemade Chili Seasoning and brown sugar. Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together while thickening the chili to the perfect consistency.
- Serve. Top with your favorite garnishes and enjoy!
Toppings for Turkey Chili
The perfect bowl of turkey chili deserves delicious toppings! Here are some favorites to consider:
- shredded cheddar cheese
- sour cream
- diced green onions
- sliced avocado
- fresh cilantro
- jalapeño slices
- lime wedges
- tortilla chips (crushed)
- red onion (diced)
Remember, the best part about making your own recipes is that you can customize things exactly the way your family loves. These are some great starters, but don’t be afraid to get creative and make something all your own.
Storage and Reheating
This turkey chili is perfect for meal prep as it stores beautifully and often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
- Refrigerator: Allow leftover chili to cool to room temperature, then transfer to airtight containers to refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze in portion-sized containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. Be sure to label with the date.
- Reheating: For refrigerated chili, reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Add a splash of broth if it’s too thick. For frozen chili, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, or reheat directly from frozen using a lower heat and longer cooking time. Add new toppings after reheating so you get fresh texture and flavor.
More Hearty Chili Recipes
Now that you’ve mastered turkey chili, explore these other delicious chili variations:
Remember, all these recipes and hundreds more are available to you in the Hey Grill Hey App.
Easy Turkey Chili Recipe
Follow the recipe card below, and I’ll show you step-by-step how to make this awesome turkey chili right at home. You can find recipes like this one and hundreds more on the Hey Grill Hey app. And don’t forget to follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest recipes, helpful products, and more.
Easy Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1 jalapeños seeded and diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups beef stock
- 2 15.5-ounce cans kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup Homemade Chili Seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
Optional Toppings
- sour cream
- medium cheddar cheese shredded
- green onions diced
Instructions
- Brown the turkey. Preheat olive oil in a large, heavy bottomed pan over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking up into smaller pieces. Cook for 4-5 minutes until all the ground turkey is browned.2 pounds ground turkey, 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- Add the aromatics. Stir in the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until softened and fragrant. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 more minutes.1 yellow onion, 1 red bell pepper, 1 jalapeños, 4 cloves garlic
- Add the wet ingredients. Pour the beef stock into the pan. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pan with the flat edge of your wooden spatula to catch any turkey that might be stuck. Stir in the kidney beans, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes.4 cups beef stock, 2 15.5-ounce cans kidney beans, 1 6-ounce can tomato paste, 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce, 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
- Add the seasoning and simmer. Add in the Chili Seasoning and brown sugar. Place a lid on the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 4-5 minutes to prevent burning.¼ cup Homemade Chili Seasoning, 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- Serve and enjoy. Top the chili with your favorite mix-ins, serve and enjoy.sour cream, medium cheddar cheese, green onions
Notes
- Make your own following the recipe here
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
