Today I'm excited to share with you one of my go-to comfort food recipes - turkey chili. This hearty and flavorful dish is perfect for a cozy night in or as a crowd-pleasing option for your next get-together. Not only is it delicious, but it's also packed with healthy ingredients like lean ground turkey, vegetables, and beans. And the best part? It's incredibly easy to make! So grab your apron and let's get cooking.
HEALTHY TURKEY CHILI RECIPE INGREDIENTS
This turkey chili, like all of my others, uses inexpensive and commonly-found ingredients. What you'll need is listed below.
- Ground Turkey: You can use either ground dark or ground white turkey for this recipe. You can substitute shredded turkey instead of chicken.
- Greens and Beans: The delightful chunky texture of chili is achieved by including the following ingredients: onion, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, garlic, and kidney beans. Moreover, kidney beans are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and other vitamins and minerals.
- Liquid Base: Diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth are what you'll need to make the base.
- Spices: Layers of cumin, paprika, paprika, oregano, chili powder, and paprika
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST TURKEY CHILI
The trick is to build flavor in stages, then let the chili simmer for a while so the various components can come together. The recipe is as follows:
- Make sure the vegetables are cooked. In a large saucepan, melt the oil over moderate heat. During the next 4–5 minutes, the onion should turn translucent after being sautéed with the bell pepper and jalapeno. When you've added the garlic, mix it in for another 30 seconds.
Including the turkey. Mix in the ground turkey, breaking it up with a spatula, and heat until no longer pink.
Mix in the chili powder and sauce. Mix in the spices like cumin, paprika, oregano, paprika, chili powder, salt, and tomato paste. Again, stir for a full minute to release the fragrance. Then, whisk in the drained beans, the chicken stock, and the canned tomatoes with their juices.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and let it simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring
TOP YOUR CHILI WITH FRESH INGREDIENTS
The good thing is that you have several options for topping your chili.
- Cheese. You can have your choice of Cotija, yellow cheddar, or white cheddar. Sour cream might be a nice addition, adding a tangy, creamy flavor.
- Veggies: Top with thinly sliced vegetables like radishes, onions, and scallions.
- Fruits: For a tangy, spicy, and creamy addition, dice some fresh or pickled jalapeos or an avocado.
- Parsley or cilantro: Add a burst of vibrant green color with some chopped parsley or cilantro.
STORAGE AND MEAL PREP TIPS
This is without a doubt one of the best meal-prep recipes because it reheats well from the freezer.
- Keep them in the fridge for a delicious treat all week long. Transfer to airtight containers and store for up to 5 days in the fridge.
- The chili can be frozen for up to three months in Souper Cubes or other freezer-safe containers.
- Don't forget to wait for it to cool down before putting it away.
- The best way to reheat frozen food is to let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking it again.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Use ground turkey breast: Turkey breast is a lean protein source and will make your chili healthier. Avoid using turkey with a higher fat content, which will make your chili greasy.
Add lots of vegetables: Vegetables not only add flavor but also make your chili healthier. You can add chopped onions, bell peppers, garlic, and tomatoes.
Use low-sodium broth: You can use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water to add more flavor to your chili. However, make sure you use low-sodium broth to control the salt content.
Experiment with spices: Chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano are some of the most common spices used in chili. However, you can also add other spices like cinnamon, allspice, or even cocoa powder to give your child a unique flavor.
Don't forget the beans: Kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans are great options for chili. They add a nice texture and flavor to the dish.
Cook it slow: Chili tastes better when cooked slowly over low heat. This allows the flavors to develop and the meat to become tender.
Serve with toppings: Some popular toppings for chili include shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, and green onions.
TURKEY CHILI
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ pounds ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon paprika (or smoked paprika)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 (28-ounce can) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 (15-ounce cans) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno pepper and saute for 4 to 5 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent. Add the garlic and stir for another 30 seconds.
- Add the ground turkey, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, until it's cooked through.
- Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and salt. Stir for another minute, until fragrant.
- Add the canned tomatoes with juices, drained beans, and chicken broth, then stir together.
- Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- To serve, ladle servings into individual bowls. Garnish with sour cream, avocado, green onion, cheese, cilantro, or any other toppings.
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