The BEST Healthy Turkey Chili - Eat Yourself Skinny (2024)

The BEST Healthy Turkey Chili recipe full of fresh veggies, lean ground turkey and loaded with flavor! The perfect cozy chili you can easily make in our instant pot, crock pot or right on the stove!

The BEST Healthy Turkey Chili - Eat Yourself Skinny (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love this Recipe
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How to Make Healthy Turkey Chili
  • Favorite Chili Toppings
  • Prepping and Storage
  • More Soups, Stews and Chilis You’ll Love
  • The BEST Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe

This healthy turkey recipe has been one of the most popular recipes on my site for the past 10+ years! I absolutely crave chili in the fall and this protein-packed recipe has always been a weekly staple in our home in the colder months and really comes in handy when meal planning and prepping during the week. Not only does this recipe make a ton, but this chili is full of veggies, lean turkey and is packed with flavor. Serve with my honey cornbread muffins and you’ve got the perfect cozy Sunday meal!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

  • This turkey chili is thick, chunky and so flavorful!
  • Has just the right amount of spice that is cozy without being too hot.
  • Can easily be made in your instant pot, slow cooker or right on the stove.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day!
The BEST Healthy Turkey Chili - Eat Yourself Skinny (2)

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • ground turkey – I used 2 lbs of lean ground turkey, but you could use ground beef, ground chicken or even ground sausage. You could also swap out the meat for some extra beans, chickpeas or even lentils to make this a vegetarian or vegan meal.
  • veggies – combination of onion, red and green bell peppers, and jalapeños for some spice, but you could also add in some chopped carrots, sweet potato or corn.
  • beans – I used a can of kidney beans, but you could add black beans, pinto beans or simply leave them out altogether.
  • tomatoes – I like to use a mixture of crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes, along with some tomato paste to thicken up the chili.
  • beef broth – I used a low sodium beef broth which adds depth of flavor and thins out the chili, but you could also use chicken broth, vegetable broth or any stocks you have in your pantry.
  • garlic – this really punches up the flavor and is a mustin this soup!
  • hot sauce – gives this chili a kick of heat and more flavor.
  • sweetener – I know this seems weird, but I always like to use one packet of Stevia in this chili and you’d be surprised what a difference it makes! Feel free to use any type of natural sweetener though or even 2 teaspoons of honey or maple syrup.
  • seasonings and spices – combination of chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.

How to Make Healthy Turkey Chili

  1. Brown the turkey. In a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the ground turkey, crumbling with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess liquid and transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel.
  2. Sauté the veggies. Drizzle a little olive oil in the hot pan and add in the onion, bell peppers and jalapeños, cooking about 3 to 4 minutes, until onion is translucent and peppers have softened. Stir in the garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.
  3. Let the chili simmer. Add back in the cooked ground turkey, along with the rest of the ingredients, and bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover, allowing the chili to simmer for about 30 minutes or up to an hour, stirring occasionally so the chili doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
  4. Add toppings. Ladle the chili into bowls, add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
The BEST Healthy Turkey Chili - Eat Yourself Skinny (3)

Favorite Chili Toppings

There are so many fun toppings you can add to this easy turkey chili recipe, I mean the possibilities are endless! Here are just a few that we love:

  • Avocado
  • Cotija cheese or cheddar cheese
  • A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Cilantro or parsley
  • Red or green onions
  • Sliced jalapeños
  • Crumbled tortilla chips, Fritos or cornbread

Prepping and Storage

To Store: The best part about this turkey chili is that leftovers taste ever better the next day! This chili will last up to a week stored in a sealed, airtight container in your refrigerator.

To Freeze: This chili freezes really well too! Let it cool completely and store in a freezer safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw completely overnight and reheat on the stove top or in your microwave.

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More Soups, Stews and Chilis You’ll Love

  • Classic Beef Stew
  • Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
  • Crock Pot Butternut Squash Chili
  • Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
  • Stuffed Pepper Soup
  • Chicken Tortilla Soup

Hope you all enjoy this Healthy Turkey Chili and if you love this as much as we do, please leave me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and don’t forget to tag me onInstagramusing the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I love seeing all your delicious recreations!

4.93 from 26 votes

The BEST Healthy Turkey Chili

The BEST Healthy Turkey Chili recipe full of fresh veggies, lean ground turkey and loaded with flavor! The perfect cozy chili you can easily make in our instant pot, crock pot or right on the stove!

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 8

The BEST Healthy Turkey Chili - Eat Yourself Skinny (4)

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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 teaspoon hot sauce, I used Texas Pete
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 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, cook the ground turkey, crumbling with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess liquid and transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel.

  • Drizzle a little olive oil in the hot pan and add in the onion, bell peppers and jalapeños, cooking about 3 to 4 minutes, until onion is translucent and peppers have softened. Stir in the garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.

  • Add back in the cooked ground turkey, along with the rest of the ingredients, and bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover, allowing the chili to simmer for about 30 minutes or up to an hour, stirring occasionally so the chili doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

  • Ladle the chili into bowls, add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1/8th of recipe | Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 25.4g | Protein: 34.9g | Fat: 3.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 501mg | Fiber: 7.4g | Sugar: 9g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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As a self-proclaimed foodie and fitness enthusiast, I have a passion for cooking and a huge desire to show that living a healthy lifestyle can actually be easy and fun! Feel free to use the meal guide above to find your new favorite meal ideas or the dietary guides to the right to narrow things down even more!

More about Kelly

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The BEST Healthy Turkey Chili - Eat Yourself Skinny (2024)

FAQs

What to add to chili to make it healthy? ›

"By adding extra veggies you'll increase nutrients, fiber, and satisfaction," the twins say. "Bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, crushed tomatoes, onions, and carrots are all great choices."

Is turkey chili good for cholesterol? ›

Make Chili With Ground Turkey

But lean ground turkey — which usually contains 7 percent fat, compared with the 20 percent fat content of 80 percent lean ground beef — is a cinch to disguise. The lower the saturated fat, the less detrimental it is to your cholesterol level.

Is turkey chili healthier than beef chili? ›

Turkey chili is much lighter and lower in calories. Most recipes call for ground turkey, which doesn't have nearly the fat content of beef. The turkey meat you'll find at the grocery store contains 15%, 7%, or even no fat.

Does turkey chili have a lot of calories? ›

Turkey Chili With Beans (1 cup) contains 19.3g total carbs, 13.7g net carbs, 7.5g fat, 19.4g protein, and 218 calories.

Is homemade chili healthy for weight loss? ›

While not considered to be a low-fat meal, chili is relatively low in calories and provides a great serving of protein, thanks to the meat and beans it contains. A serving of chili is also low in carbs, sugar, and sodium.

Is peanut butter bad for cholesterol? ›

Fortunately for everyone who loves peanut butter, almond butter, and other nut butters, these creamy treats are fairly healthy. And as long as they don't contain hydrogenated fat, nut butters — including peanut butter — won't cause problems for your cholesterol levels.

What's the best meat to eat with high cholesterol? ›

If you have high cholesterol, you should talk with your doctor about what you eat, including meat. There are good, lean choices. For example, you can consider chicken or turkey breasts without skin; pork tenderloin; or beef round, sirloin, or tenderloin.

Does chilli burn belly fat? ›

Research shows that eating chili peppers may boost your metabolism and reduce swelling. This could help you lose weight, including burning belly fat. While eating chili peppers alone is unlikely to make a huge difference, it could help in combination with exercise and eating a healthy diet.

What is the healthiest ground meat? ›

The Bottom Line

If you're eating for a healthy heart, lean ground turkey—which is lower in saturated fat—is the better pick for you. Of course, you can still enjoy ground beef from time to time, but choosing lean ground turkey more often will help your heart in the long run.

What is 98% fat free Turkey Chili? ›

HORMEL® Chili Turkey with Beans is a savory twist on classic chili. Savory turkey, plump beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, onion and green chilis combine for a full-flavored chili that's 98% fat free! Bursting with meaty goodness. Just pop, heat, and serve for quick, convenient prep!

What can I add to a can of chili to make it taste better? ›

Professional chefs shared their favorite ways to turn a can of chili into a tastier option. Cocoa, beer, and cinnamon are ingredients that'll boost the flavor of your dish.

How do you reduce the effects of chili in food? ›

Turns out, the fiery chemical in hot chilis, capsaicin, likes to bind itself onto a compound in milk, which neutralizes the burn. Add a generous dollop of sour cream, creme fraiche, or yogurt to scorching hot chili or stews, or even a touch of milk or cream. For best results, though, go with full-fat dairy.

How can I improve my chili mix? ›

Cinnamon, strong coffee, and dark chocolate all boost them meaty flavor in a good chili. Pick any of the following: 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 whole cinnamon stick, a shot of espresso, a small cup of strong coffee, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, or a few squares of good-quality dark chocolate.

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