The Best Healthy Turkey Chili
Healthy Turkey chili is a comforting and healthy meal prepared with leftover shredded turkey and cooked either in the slow cooker or stovetop. It makes one of those high-protein dinners for the Fall and Winter months!
Servings 8 people
Calories321.2 kcal
Cost $ 1.75 per person
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil You can use avocado oil or canola oil as alternatives.
- 2 medium white onions diced. Or yellow onions.
- 2 carrots chopped. If carrots are unavailable, you can use parsnips or celery.
- 2 garlic cloves minced. Garlic powder will work in a pinch.
- 1 tablespoon chili powder Try paprika for a milder substitute or cayenne for more heat.
- 2 tablespoons cumin Coriander will also work.
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano Dried marjoram or basil can replace oregano.
- 2 bay leaves Thyme may offer a similar depth of flavor, though not quite the same.
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- Fresh black pepper to taste
- 4 cups shredded leftover turkey meat You can also use shredded chicken.
- 28 ounce 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes (Diced tomatoes or tomato puree can be used if needed).
- 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (Regular diced tomatoes will also work, or for a similar flavor, you can add a touch of smoked paprika).
- 4 cups chicken broth Vegetable stock or turkey stock will also work
- 15.5 ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed + drained (or, try black beans or pinto beans).
- 15.5 ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed + drained (Great Northern beans or chickpeas are other good options).
- ½ cup frozen corn You can also use fresh corn kernels or drained canned corn.
Instructions
Stovetop Method
- Heat a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the oil and then the onions and carrots, and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions start to soften. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper, to taste. Cook for 1 minute or until the flavors blend.
- Add the turkey meat, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and stock. Simmer, partially covered, over medium-low heat for 25 minutes.
- Stir in the kidney beans, cannellini beans, and corn, and simmer for 5-8 minutes longer.
- Discard bay leaves, adjust salt and pepper, and serve your healthy turkey chili with toppings of choice.
Crockpot
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and carrots, and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring once and a while.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper, to taste. Cook for 1 minute or until the flavors blend. Transfer everything to the crock pot!
- Add the turkey meat, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, stock, kidney beans, cannellini beans, and corn to the crock pot. Stir to combine and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours.
- Discard the bay leaves, adjust the salt and pepper, and serve crock pot turkey chili with toppings of choice such as chopped green onions, sour cream, and avocado slices.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
How to Store
- Store turkey chili leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- To freeze it, transfer cooled chili into freezer-safe containers (or freezer-safe bags) and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat on the stovetop over medium heat.
Nutrition
Calories: 321.2kcal | Carbohydrates: 38.2g | Protein: 26.8g | Fat: 8.1g | Saturated Fat: 1.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4.5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 49.3mg | Sodium: 1339.5mg | Potassium: 1045.3mg | Fiber: 9.8g | Sugar: 9.3g | Vitamin A: 3318.6IU | Vitamin C: 14.6mg | Calcium: 158.5mg | Iron: 6.2mg
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
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