Easy Turkey Chili Recipe (Stovetop or Slow Cooker)

And if you prefer ground beef, that's an easy swap! The combination of chili beans, pinto beans, peppers, tomatoes, and spices works just as well with ground beef.

Why You'll Love This Turkey Chili

• Easy one-pot meal: Brown the turkey and vegetables, add the remaining ingredients, and let everything simmer together.
• Two cooking methods: Make this stovetop turkey chili when you want dinner sooner, or use the slow cooker for a hands-off meal.
• Hearty and filling: Two kinds of beans, ground turkey, vegetables, and tomatoes make this a satisfying dinner.
• Mild and family-friendly: This chili has plenty of flavor without being overly spicy.
• Flavorful chili beans: Chili beans simmered in their seasoned sauce add extra flavor without needing a long list of ingredients.
• Great for leftovers: The flavors continue to develop as the chili sits, making leftovers especially delicious.
• Freezer-friendly: Make a big batch and freeze the leftovers for another easy dinner.

What Makes This Turkey Chili So Good?

Ground turkey has a mild flavor, making it a great base for a flavorful homemade chili. Instead of relying on sausage or a lot of heat, this recipe builds flavor with chili beans in sauce, pinto beans, bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and a blend of chili powder, cumin, oregano, basil, and paprika.

The chili beans are especially important. Unlike plain canned beans, they come already seasoned and packed in a flavorful sauce. Don't drain them before adding them to the chili.

The result is a thick, hearty turkey chili with beans that's flavorful without being overly spicy.

Tips for Making Turkey Chili

• Brown the turkey first. Cooking the ground turkey before adding the tomatoes and beans gives it better texture and allows you to break it into small pieces throughout the chili.
• Cook the vegetables with the turkey. Sautéing the peppers and onion until they're tender develops their flavor and gives the chili a better base.
• Don't drain the chili beans. The sauce they're packed in adds flavor, seasoning, and moisture to the chili.
• Let the chili simmer. The ingredients are already cooked, but simmering gives the spices time to blend and allows the chili to thicken.
• Taste before adding extra salt. The chili beans and beef base already contain salt, so taste the finished chili before adding more.
• Make it ahead. Chili is one of those meals that often tastes even better the next day. Store it in the refrigerator and reheat when you're ready to serve.
• Want thicker chili? Simmer it uncovered during the last 10–15 minutes so some of the liquid can evaporate. You can also mash some of the beans against the side of the pot to naturally thicken the chili.

Ingredients

• Ground turkey: A mild, lean protein that works well with the bold flavors in this chili. Ground beef can also be substituted.
• Bell peppers: Add sweetness, color, and texture.
• Yellow onion: Creates a savory base for the chili.
• Chili beans in sauce: Add beans, seasoning, and a flavorful sauce. Add them undrained.
• Pinto beans: Add extra protein, texture, and heartiness.
• Crushed tomatoes: Create the tomato base of the chili.
• Tomato paste: Concentrates the tomato flavor and helps thicken the chili.
• Beef base or bouillon: Adds savory depth to the tomato-based chili.
• Chili powder: Provides the classic chili flavor.
• Worcestershire sauce: Adds savory, slightly tangy depth.
• Garlic: Adds another layer of savory flavor.
• Basil, cumin, oregano, and paprika: Create a warm, flavorful blend of seasonings.

See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

How to Make Turkey Chili on the Stovetop

Step 1: Brown the meat. Add the ground turkey, diced green bell pepper, onion, and garlic to a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.

Cook, breaking up the turkey as it browns, until the turkey is no longer pink and the onion and peppers have softened.

Step 2: Add the Beans and Tomatoes. Add the chili beans with their sauce, drained pinto beans, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste.

Step 3: Add the Seasonings. Add the beef base, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, basil, cumin, oregano, paprika, and salt.

Stir well to distribute the seasonings.

Step 4: Simmer the Chili. Bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Taste and adjust the seasonings before serving.

How to Make Turkey Chili in a Slow Cooker

• This recipe is also an easy slow cooker turkey chili.
• Brown the ground turkey in a large skillet, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
• Add the diced peppers and onion and cook until the onion is translucent.
• Transfer the turkey and vegetables to your slow cooker.
• Add the chili beans with their sauce, pinto beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef base, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and seasonings.
• Stir well.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.
• Stir before serving and taste for seasoning.

Can I Use Ground Beef Instead of Turkey?

Absolutely. While this recipe is written as turkey chili, ground beef is an easy substitution if that's what you have on hand. You can also add ground sausage for extra protein and flavor.

The beans, peppers, tomatoes, and seasonings work well with either ground turkey or ground beef.

If using ground beef, brown it just as you would the turkey and continue with the recipe as written.

What to Serve With Turkey Chili

A bowl of homemade chili is delicious on its own, but toppings make it even better.

Try serving turkey chili with:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Diced green onions
• Sliced jalapeños
• Avocado
• Fresh cilantro
• Tortilla chips
• Corn chips
• Warm cornbread

My Honey Glazed Cornbread Muffins are especially good with chili. They're brushed with honey butter while they're still warm, giving you a sweet contrast to the savory chili.

Turkey Chili FAQs

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