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Healthy Turkey Chili

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September 17, 2026
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healthy turkey chili recipe

This healthy turkey chili is a classic chili made with ground turkey instead of beef — same deeply spiced, bean-loaded flavor, without sacrificing anything for game day, potlucks, or a freezer-friendly weeknight dinner.

turkey chili recipe

Hi friends!

My husband is a big chili fan so I already have three other chili recipes on the blog:

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.

Why Ground Turkey Works So Well In Chili

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.

Ingredients for Turkey Chili Recipe

To make this turkey chili, here are the ingredient you’ll need:

  • Onion. garlic and bell pepper – for a flavorful base
  • Ground turkey – I use 93/7 but you could also use 85/15 if you prefer
  • Spices – chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper and salt
  • Diced tomatoes – I prefer fire-roasted for a little more flavor
  • Tomato paste- for a more concentrated flavor
  • Chicken broth
  • Beans – I prefer a combination of kidney and pinto but you could use all of one variety if you prefer

How To Make Healthy Turkey Chili (Stovetop)

Making chili is super easy and fairly hands-off. Here’s how you do it:

  • In a large Dutch oven, saute the onion, garlic and pepper for 3-5 minutes.
  • Add ground turkey and saute over medium heat until no longer pink.
  • Add spices, tomatoes, tomatoe paste, beans and broth.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce and let simmer for 45 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.
  • Top as desired and serve warm!

Healthy Turkey Chili Slow Cooker

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.

Turkey Chili Recipe – Instant Pot Instructions

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.

healthy turkey chili recipe

How To Keep Turkey Chili From Drying Out

Since turkey is leaner and lower in fat than ground beef, here are a few tips to keep your turkey from drying out:

  • Be sure to choose 93/7 ground turkey. Avoid 99/1 ground turkey because it has almost no fat.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Turkey Chili Nutrition

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.

How To Store and Freeze Healthy Turkey Chili

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.

Turkey Chili Recipe

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Healthy Turkey Chili

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This healthy turkey chili recipe is a classic chili made with ground turkey instead of beef. Full of flavor, freezer-friendly and perfect for feeding a crowd!

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp oil (I use avocado oil)
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced
  • 1 pound ground turkey (93/7)
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/4 – 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 (14.5 oz cans) diced tomato (I like fire-roasted)
  • 1 (6oz) can tomato paste
  • 1 (14.5 oz can) kidney beans
  • 1 (14.5 oz can) pinto beans
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • Optional toppings – cheese, sour cream, green onion, avocado, tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat and saute onion, garlic and bell pepper for 4-5 minutes.
  2. Add ground turkey and spices and cook until no longer pink.
  3. Add diced tomatoes, tomatoe paste, beans and broth and stir to combine.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 35-40 minutes.
  5. Taste and adjust seasonings – add more chili powder or salt if needed.
  6. Top as desired and served.
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Healthy Turkey Chili FAQs

Is turkey chili healthier than beef chili?

Yes. Ground turkey is lower in fat and saturated fat than ground beef, making it a heart-healthy alternative that offers a similar taste and texture to ground beef chili. If you would prefer a beef chili recipe, try this recipe for The Best Beef Chili.

Can you make turkey chili in the slow cooker?

Yes. Cook the ground turkey and veggies either in the slow cooker or on the stove. Then add the remaining ingredients, stir to combine and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Why does turkey chili taste bland or dry?

Be sure you’re not using 99/1 ground turkey. Cooking the vegeteables first and then adding the turkey can help keep it moist. You may also need to increase the amount of seasonings you use.

Can you freeze turkey chili?

Yes, turkey freezes very well. Let cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze up to 4 months.

healthy turkey chili recipe

What To Serve with Healthy Turkey Chili

Of course you could go with the classic soup and salad combo, but one of my fav side dishes for chili is cornbread. Try:

Or try it topped with scooped with fritos or baked into a Chili Cornbread Skillet.

Healthy Soup Recipes

Is it soup season? Try one of these easy soup recipes next time!

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Easy Fish Chowder

This Easy Fish Chowder tastes better than longer it sits! Make a big pot over the weekend and enjoy for lunch or dinner all week!

Grab the recipe!
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Healthy Corn Chowder

This lightened-up, healthy corn chowder is the perfect way to use up that summer sweet corn! Made with just a splash of cream and lightly blended for creaminess.

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Crockpot Potato Soup with Hash Browns

This Easy Crockpot Potato Soup with Hash Browns requires minimal prep and simple ingredients. Pureeing it at the end helps make it thick and creamy without adding any dairy!

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Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup

This Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup is easy to make, hearty and filling. It’s freezer-friendly and tastes even better as leftovers. 

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Crockpot Meatball Soup with Tortellini

This Crockpot Meatball Soup with Tortellini is the perfect dinner for a cold night. Using frozen meatballs and pantry staples makes it quick and easy.

Grab the recipe!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–


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