Spicy & Savory: Chili-Flavored Turkey Stew with Hominy and Tomatoes

This chili-flavored turkey stew is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for chilly evenings. It combines lean ground turkey with the sweetness of tomatoes, the earthy chewiness of hominy, and a blend of spices that will warm you from the inside out. It’s relatively easy to make, and the leftovers are even better the next day! This recipe provides detailed instructions and tips to ensure your turkey stew is a resounding success.

## Why You’ll Love This Turkey Stew:

* **Healthy and Lean:** Ground turkey is a great source of protein and is lower in fat than ground beef.
* **Flavorful and Comforting:** The combination of chili spices, tomatoes, and hominy creates a deeply satisfying and comforting flavor profile.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy cooking techniques.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adjust the spice level and add your favorite vegetables.
* **Perfect for Meal Prep:** This stew holds up well in the refrigerator and can be made ahead of time.
* **Uses Pantry Staples:** Many of the ingredients are likely already in your pantry.

## Ingredients You’ll Need:

* **Ground Turkey:** 1.5 – 2 pounds, preferably lean (93% lean) but you can use what you prefer.
* **Onion:** 1 large, chopped
* **Garlic:** 4 cloves, minced
* **Bell Pepper:** 1 (any color), chopped
* **Canned Diced Tomatoes:** 2 (14.5 ounce) cans, undrained
* **Canned Tomato Sauce:** 1 (15 ounce) can
* **Canned Hominy:** 1 (29 ounce) can, drained and rinsed
* **Chicken Broth:** 4 cups, low sodium
* **Chili Powder:** 2-3 tablespoons (adjust to your spice preference)
* **Cumin:** 2 teaspoons
* **Oregano:** 1 teaspoon, dried
* **Smoked Paprika:** 1 teaspoon
* **Cayenne Pepper:** 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon (optional, for extra heat)
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons
* **Optional Toppings:** Sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, avocado slices, lime wedges, tortilla chips.

## Equipment You’ll Need:

* Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
* Cutting board
* Knife
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Wooden spoon or spatula

## Step-by-Step Instructions:

**1. Prepare the Ingredients:**

* Chop the onion and bell pepper.
* Mince the garlic.
* Drain and rinse the hominy.
* Measure out all your spices.

**2. Brown the Turkey:**

* Heat the olive oil in the Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat.
* Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula, until it is browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.

**3. Sauté the Vegetables:**

* Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the pot with the browned turkey. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.

**4. Add the Spices:**

* Stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) into the pot. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to toast the spices and release their flavors.

**5. Add the Liquids and Hominy:**

* Pour in the canned diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, and chicken broth.
* Add the drained and rinsed hominy.

**6. Simmer the Stew:**

* Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld together.

**7. Season to Taste:**

* Taste the stew and season with salt and pepper to your liking. You may need to add more chili powder or other spices to achieve your desired flavor.

**8. Serve and Enjoy:**

* Ladle the turkey stew into bowls and top with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, avocado slices, and lime wedges. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping.

## Tips and Variations:

* **Spice Level:** Adjust the amount of chili powder and cayenne pepper to control the spice level of the stew. Start with less and add more to taste.
* **Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to the stew, such as corn, black beans, zucchini, or carrots. Add them along with the tomatoes and chicken broth.
* **Beans:** Add a can of drained and rinsed black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans for extra protein and fiber.
* **Meat:** You can substitute ground chicken or shredded cooked chicken or turkey for the ground turkey. If using cooked chicken or turkey, add it during the last 15 minutes of simmering.
* **Smoked Flavor:** For a deeper smoked flavor, use smoked paprika and add a teaspoon of liquid smoke to the stew.
* **Fresh Herbs:** Stir in some fresh chopped cilantro or parsley at the end of cooking for a bright, fresh flavor.
* **Thickening:** If you prefer a thicker stew, you can whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the stew during the last 15 minutes of simmering. Alternatively, mash some of the hominy against the side of the pot to naturally thicken the stew.
* **Slow Cooker:** This recipe can easily be adapted for a slow cooker. Brown the turkey and sauté the vegetables as directed, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
* **Instant Pot:** To make this in an Instant Pot, use the sauté function to brown the turkey and sauté the vegetables. Add the remaining ingredients and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release for 10 minutes.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** Substitute the ground turkey with plant-based ground meat substitute or add an extra can of beans. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
* **Cornbread Croutons:** For a fun and tasty topping, cube some cornbread and bake it in the oven until crispy. Sprinkle the cornbread croutons over the stew before serving.
* **Lime Crema:** Whisk together sour cream or Greek yogurt with lime juice and a pinch of salt to make a refreshing lime crema for topping the stew.
* **Roasted Poblanos:** Roasting poblano peppers and dicing them into the stew will add a depth of flavor that will make you want to keep coming back for more. To roast them, place under a broiler for 5-10 minutes turning them until they are black on all sides. Then place in a sealed plastic bag for 10-15 minutes. Peel the skins off the pepper, remove the seeds, and chop the remaining pepper. Add in with the canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth.

## Serving Suggestions:

* Serve the turkey stew in bowls with your favorite toppings.
* Serve with a side of cornbread, crusty bread, or tortilla chips for dipping.
* Serve with a simple side salad.
* Use leftover stew as a filling for tacos or burritos.

## Storage Instructions:

* **Refrigerator:** Store leftover turkey stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Freezer:** Store leftover turkey stew in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

## Reheating Instructions:

* **Stovetop:** Reheat the turkey stew in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
* **Microwave:** Reheat the turkey stew in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate):

* Calories: 350-450 per serving (depending on toppings and serving size)
* Protein: 30-40 grams
* Fat: 15-25 grams
* Carbohydrates: 30-40 grams
* Fiber: 5-10 grams

## Conclusion:

This chili-flavored turkey stew with hominy and tomatoes is a delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for any occasion. With its customizable ingredients and simple instructions, you can create a hearty and flavorful stew that everyone will love. So gather your ingredients, grab your Dutch oven, and get ready to enjoy a bowl of comforting goodness!

## Recipe Card

**Title:** Chili-Flavored Turkey Stew with Hominy and Tomatoes

**Prep Time:** 15 minutes

**Cook Time:** 30-60 minutes

**Servings:** 6-8

**Ingredients:**

* 1.5-2 lbs Ground Turkey
* 1 large Onion, chopped
* 4 cloves Garlic, minced
* 1 Bell Pepper, chopped
* 2 (14.5 oz) cans Diced Tomatoes, undrained
* 1 (15 oz) can Tomato Sauce
* 1 (29 oz) can Hominy, drained and rinsed
* 4 cups Chicken Broth
* 2-3 tbsp Chili Powder
* 2 tsp Cumin
* 1 tsp Oregano
* 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
* 1/4-1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional)
* Salt and Pepper to taste
* 2 tbsp Olive Oil
* Optional Toppings: Sour Cream, Cheese, Cilantro, Avocado, Lime, Tortilla Chips

**Instructions:**

1. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat.
2. Brown ground turkey, breaking it up. Drain excess grease.
3. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened (5-7 minutes).
4. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (1 minute).
5. Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook 1 minute.
6. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and hominy.
7. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30-60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve with desired toppings.

**Notes:**

* Adjust spice level to your preference.
* Add other vegetables as desired.
* See article for more tips and variations.

Enjoy your homemade Chili-Flavored Turkey Stew!