Quick & Easy Turkey Chili: A Hearty Weeknight Meal
Chili is the ultimate comfort food. It’s warm, satisfying, and endlessly customizable. This quick and easy turkey chili recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a delicious and nourishing meal without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s packed with flavor, lean protein, and wholesome ingredients, making it a healthy and family-friendly option.
## Why Turkey Chili?
While beef chili is a classic, turkey chili offers several advantages:
* **Leaner Protein:** Ground turkey is significantly lower in fat than ground beef, making it a healthier choice.
* **Mild Flavor:** Turkey’s mild flavor allows the spices and other ingredients to shine through, resulting in a more complex and nuanced chili.
* **Cost-Effective:** Ground turkey is often more affordable than ground beef, making it a budget-friendly option.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses pantry staples and readily available ingredients. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
* **Ground Turkey:** 1 pound, 93% lean or leaner
* **Onion:** 1 medium, chopped
* **Bell Pepper:** 1 medium (any color), chopped
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves, minced
* **Canned Diced Tomatoes:** 2 (14.5 ounce) cans, undrained
* **Canned Tomato Sauce:** 1 (15 ounce) can
* **Canned Kidney Beans:** 1 (15 ounce) can, drained and rinsed
* **Canned Black Beans:** 1 (15 ounce) can, drained and rinsed
* **Chili Powder:** 2 tablespoons
* **Cumin:** 1 tablespoon
* **Oregano:** 1 teaspoon, dried
* **Cayenne Pepper:** 1/4 teaspoon (or more, to taste)
* **Chicken Broth:** 1 cup (low sodium)
* **Olive Oil:** 1 tablespoon
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste
**Optional Toppings:**
* Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend)
* Sour cream or Greek yogurt
* Chopped green onions
* Avocado, diced
* Cilantro, chopped
* Tortilla chips or crackers
* Hot sauce
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and satisfying turkey chili:
**Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables**
* Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
* Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. The onions should be translucent and the peppers slightly tender.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will turn bitter.
**Step 2: Brown the Turkey**
* Add the ground turkey to the pot and break it up with a spoon. Cook until the turkey is browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease. Using lean ground turkey will minimize the amount of grease produced.
* Ensure the turkey is cooked through and no longer pink.
**Step 3: Add the Spices**
* Stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to bloom the spices and enhance their flavor. Blooming the spices releases their essential oils and intensifies their aroma and taste.
**Step 4: Add the Remaining Ingredients**
* Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
* Bring the chili to a simmer over medium heat.
**Step 5: Simmer the Chili**
* Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour. The longer the chili simmers, the more the flavors will meld together and deepen. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
* If the chili becomes too thick, add a little more chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
**Step 6: Season and Serve**
* Season the chili with salt and pepper to taste. Start with a small amount and adjust as needed. Remember that the beans and broth may already contain some salt.
* Serve hot, topped with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, avocado, and cilantro.
## Tips and Variations
* **Adjust the Spice Level:** If you prefer a milder chili, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper. For a spicier chili, add more cayenne pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
* **Add Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to your chili, such as corn, zucchini, or carrots. These additions will add extra nutrients and flavor.
* **Use Different Beans:** You can substitute other types of beans for kidney and black beans, such as pinto beans, cannellini beans, or great northern beans.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** To make this chili vegetarian, omit the ground turkey and add more beans or vegetables. You can also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
* **Slow Cooker Option:** This chili can easily be made in a slow cooker. Simply combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
* **Instant Pot Option:** To make this chili in an Instant Pot, sauté the vegetables and turkey using the sauté function. Then, add the remaining ingredients, seal the lid, and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
* **Thicken the Chili:** If your chili is too thin, you can thicken it by simmering it uncovered for a longer period of time, allowing some of the liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the chili during the last few minutes of cooking. This will create a slurry that will thicken the chili quickly.
* **Add Chocolate:** For a richer, more complex flavor, add a square or two of dark chocolate to the chili during the last 15 minutes of cooking. The chocolate will melt into the chili, adding depth and a subtle sweetness.
* **Spice it Up with Peppers:** For a spicier chili, consider adding diced jalapenos, serrano peppers, or even a can of diced green chilies.
## Serving Suggestions
* **Classic Chili Night:** Serve the chili in bowls with your favorite toppings for a classic chili night. Pair it with cornbread, crackers, or tortilla chips.
* **Chili Dogs:** Top hot dogs with the chili for a delicious and easy meal.
* **Chili Cheese Fries:** Pour the chili over French fries and top with shredded cheese for a decadent treat.
* **Chili Stuffed Peppers:** Stuff bell peppers with the chili and bake them for a hearty and flavorful meal.
* **Chili Nachos:** Layer tortilla chips with the chili, shredded cheese, and your favorite toppings for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
## Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
* **Make Ahead:** This turkey chili can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will actually improve as it sits.
* **Storage:** Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
* **Freezing:** To freeze, let the chili cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Label the containers with the date and contents. When ready to eat, thaw the chili in the refrigerator overnight or in the microwave. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
## Nutritional Information (Approximate)
* Calories: Approximately 350-400 per serving (depending on toppings)
* Protein: 30-35 grams
* Fat: 15-20 grams (depending on the leaness of the turkey)
* Carbohydrates: 30-35 grams
* Fiber: 10-15 grams
This turkey chili is a delicious and nutritious meal that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting dish to share with friends and family, this recipe is sure to please. Enjoy!
## Printable Recipe Card
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**Simple Turkey Chili**
A hearty and flavorful turkey chili that’s quick to make and perfect for a weeknight meal.
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30 minutes
**Total Time:** 45 minutes
**Servings:** 6-8
**Ingredients:**
* 1 pound ground turkey, 93% lean or leaner
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
* 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
* 2 tablespoons chili powder
* 1 tablespoon cumin
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
* 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease.
3. Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, and chicken broth. Stir well.
5. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Enjoy!