Easy Ground Turkey Chili

Our ground turkey chili recipe is perfect for cold days, to share with friends on game day, or anytime you’re hankering for a big bowl of chili! We’re tested, and re-tested, all kinds of ingredient and spice ratios as well as various beans in this chili to provide you with a thick, hearty, and nutritious meal that you’ll be able to whip up successfully the first time you try it.

There is just something about a big bowl of chili that is so warming and cozy. Living in the upper Midwest, fall and winter is definitely the time you’ll find us cooking up all kinds of chili and soup recipes several times a week.

This easy ground turkey chili recipe has become one of our go-to meal options when it’s cold out. Using lean ground turkey is a great way to cut back on the calories and fat of a classic beef chili. We also hide some extra veggies in our recipe too for some extra goodness, resulting in a hearty and flavorful meal that you can feel good about putting on the table.

This recipe keeps well in the refrigerator to enjoy throughout the week and also freezes well so you can portion out meals to enjoy another day. And it’s especially good paired with our whole wheat cornbread or our jalapeno cornbread muffins!

If you love this turkey chili, you definitely need to try our 3-Bean Vegetarian Chili and this Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili with bacon too!

Easy Turkey Chili Ingredients

• Olive Oil. Used to sauté the vegetables and brown the turkey, adding richness and helping to develop deeper flavors.
• Lean Ground Turkey. The protein base that makes this chili filling and satisfying while keeping it lean and nutritious. Using a mix of different lean percentages adds flavor while staying nourishing.
• Onion. Provides sweet, savory flavor that forms the aromatic base of the chili when sautéed. It adds texture and helps build layers of flavor.
• Red Bell Pepper. Provides sweet crunch, nutrition, and bright color to our chili that helps balance the rich tomato base.
• Garlic. Adds savory depth and aromatic flavor that enhances all the other spices in the chili.
• Chili Powder, Oregano, Cumin, Paprika, Salt and Pepper – This blend of spices creates the signature chili flavor with warm heat, earthy depth, and aromatic richness. Together they enhance all the other ingredients and give the chili its classic, satisfying taste.
• Diced Tomatoes. Provide chunks of juicy tomato flavor and texture that make the chili hearty and satisfying. They add natural sweetness that balances the spices.
• Tomato Sauce. Creates the rich, smooth base that ties all the ingredients together. It provides consistent tomato flavor and the perfect chili consistency.
• Kidney Beans. Make the chili hearty and filling while adding protein, fiber, and creamy texture. They’re the classic chili bean that soaks up all the delicious flavors.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Helpful Equipment

You’ll need to use a large soup pot or Dutch oven on the stove. Or use a larger sized slow cooker if desired.

How to Make Ground Turkey Chili on Stovetop

Add olive oil to a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add the ground turkey and begin to cook and brown it.

When the turkey is still slightly pink, add in the onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic.

Stir to continue cooking the meat, and softening the onion and bell peppers. Break apart large pieces of turkey with your spoon as it cooks.

When the turkey is fully browned, stir in the spices.

Then add the petite diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir to combine.

Add in the beans and stir to combine.

Bring to a low boil, then reduce the heat and simmer and thicken for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

How to Make Turkey Chili in Slow Cooker

If you’d prefer to make this as a slow cooker turkey chili, you totally can! There are just a few steps needed to do this:

First, brown the turkey and onion with olive oil in a large pan over medium heat on the stove before adding it to the slow cooker. This provides the best texture for your meat, softens the onion, and adds nice flavor to your chili.

When the turkey and onions are ready, add them to the basin of your slow cooker. Add in the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.

Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.

Ground Turkey Chili Recipe Variations & Substitutions

• Change the beans: I use kidney beans in this turkey chili recipe, but you can use a wide variety of beans! Pinto beans, white beans, chili beans, and black beans would all be great in this recipe. You could also use two types of beans (using 1, 15oz can of each).
• Add corn: a lot of people love corn in their chili, and if that’s you, add some in! I would recommend using frozen cord (or using 1, 15oz can of sweet corn that is drained and rinsed) for this recipe. Add the corn at the same time as your beans.
• Add green chilis. Green chilis add a nice, mild flavor to chilis. If this sounds appealing to you, add 1, 7oz can of green chilis.
• Make this into a no bean turkey chili. Not into beans? Just skip them! Because of the quantity of beans in this recipe, it would be wise to add another pound of ground turkey in it’s place.
• Use a different combination of ground turkey. I use half extra-lean (99% lean) ground turkey and half lean (93% lean) ground turkey when I make this chili. Having some turkey with a higher fat content adds some extra flavor and richness. However, you’re welcome to use all extra-lean or all lean if that’s your preference!
• Worried about the heat? Start with less chili powder. I would not consider this a spicy chili by any means, but if you are sensitive to heat, feel free to start with 1 Tablespoon of chili powder instead of 2. Taste the chili after it’s simmered for a while and decide if you’d like to add more.

Possible Dietary Restrictions?

As written, this turkey chili recipe is gluten free. However, if you are serving this to someone with celiac disease, make sure they have gluten free topping options too! Cheese, herbs, avocado, peppers are all fine. You can also look for gluten free tortilla chips or crackers. 

Because turkey is a star ingredient in this recipe, I do not recommend trying to modify this to be vegetarian or vegan. However, this is my go-to vegetarian and vegan chili recipe, which I highly recommend for those looking for a meatless option.

How to Store Turkey Veggie Chili

Store leftover turkey chili in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat portions in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through and warmed to your liking. 

Leftovers can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing single-serve portions in freezer-safe containers (or zip-top baggies) for easy grab-and-go when ready to enjoy. Thaw frozen chili in the fridge overnight and heat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Ground Turkey Chili Recipe FAQs