![\"healthy](\"https:\/\/www.theleangreenbean.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/turkey-chili-5-copy-545x550.jpg\" "\\"Healthy")
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHi friends!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My husband is a big chili fan so I already have three other chili recipes on the blog:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- White Chicken Chili<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sweet Potato Chicken Chili<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Vegetarian Chili<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
But this is the one I always turn to when I want a classic. It’s tomato-based and loaded with kidney and pinto beans – exactly the way chili “should” taste. The only difference from a beef chili is the meat. This version uses ground turkey (I use 93\/7) which is much lower in saturated fat than beef, with about the same protein (approximately 25g of protein per serving). My family genuinely can’t tell the difference once it’s simmered down with the right amount of spice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Ground Turkey Works So Well In Chili<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ground turkey is a great source of lean protein, making it a great option for chili. It’s lower in fat than most traditional chili recipes made with ground beef and it’s mild flavor allows all the flavors of the chili to really shine through. It has a similar taste and texture to ground beef while being lower in saturated fat, making it a great heart-healthy alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ingredients for Turkey Chili Recipe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To make this turkey chili, here are the ingredient you’ll need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Onion. garlic and bell pepper – for a flavorful base<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ground turkey – I use 93\/7 but you could also use 85\/15 if you prefer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Spices – chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper and salt<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Diced tomatoes – I prefer fire-roasted for a little more flavor<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tomato paste- for a more concentrated flavor<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Chicken broth <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Beans – I prefer a combination of kidney and pinto but you could use all of one variety if you prefer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How To Make Healthy Turkey Chili (Stovetop)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Making chili is super easy and fairly hands-off. Here’s how you do it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- In a large Dutch oven, saute the onion, garlic and pepper for 3-5 minutes. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Add ground turkey and saute over medium heat until no longer pink.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Add spices, tomatoes, tomatoe paste, beans and broth. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bring to a boil, then reduce and let simmer for 45 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Top as desired and serve warm!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Healthy Turkey Chili Slow Cooker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yes! Use the saute function on your slower cooker to cook the ground turkey and veggies. If you don’t have a saute function, cook on the stove and then transfer to the slow cooker. Add remaining ingredeients, stir to combine and cook on low for 6-8 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkey Chili Recipe – Instant Pot Instructions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yes. Cook onions, garlic and turkey and remove any extra grease if using 85\/15 ground turkey. Deglaze the pot with 1\/4 cup broth, scraping the bottom to remove any browned bits. Add the spices and stir to combine. Add tomato paste, tomatoes and beans. Don’t stir. Cook 15 minutes and quick realase. Another option is to wait and add the beans until after it’s done cooking. Kidney beans hold up well but softer beans like pinto could get mushy and will taste better mixed in at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"healthy](\"https:\/\/www.theleangreenbean.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/turkey-chili-1.jpg\" "\\"Healthy")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHow To Keep Turkey Chili From Drying Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Since turkey is leaner and lower in fat than ground beef, here are a few tips to keep your turkey from drying out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Be sure to choose 93\/7 ground turkey. Avoid 99\/1 ground turkey because it has almost no fat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cook the vegetables first. Sauteeing the vegetables first helps them release their moisture. You can then add your turkey to the pot and it will absorb that moisture as it cooks. No need to drain as it cooks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check your seasonings. Because it is lower in fat than ground beef, it naturally has less flavor so you may need to increase your spices to get your desired taste profile.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Turkey Chili Nutrition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Most chili recipes will contain about 25g of protein per serving, plus some fiber. The combination of the ground turkey and beans make it a nutritionally sound choice. Ground beef chili will contain a similar amount of protein and fiber but also likely be higher in both fat and saturated fat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How To Store and Freeze Healthy Turkey Chili<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To freeze, cool completely and freeze in a freezer-safe container like Souper Cubes or ladle in to a ziploc bag and freeze flat for flat storage and quick thawing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTurkey Chili Recipe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\nPrint<\/a><\/span>
\n\n\nHealthy Turkey Chili<\/h2>\n
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- Sweet Potato Chicken Chili<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"icon](\"https:\/\/www.theleangreenbean.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/tasty-recipes\/templates\/buttons\/images\/icon-print.png\" "\\"Healthy"){kind=icon}
\n\t\tPrint Recipe<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t