How to Make Turkey Chili (With or Without Beans!)

A healthy ground turkey chili recipe, made with or without beans. This recipe is simple to master, easy to customize, and perfect served with a variety of toppings!

*This post is sponsored by SunButter, a sunflower seed spread perfect for allergy-safe baking and cooking! Thanks for supporting the brands that keep Sunkissed Kitchen running.

The BEST Ground Turkey Chili (Made just how you like it!)

I prefer homemade dishes to restaurants because I can make them exactly how I like them.

This ground turkey chili recipe is a great example of that. The process of making chili is simple once you’ve done it a couple of times. Then you can make variations on the recipe to make it the perfect cozy bowl for your tastes and dietary needs!

Love it spicy? Add more cayenne. If some of the family needs a more mild bowl, omit the cayenne and serve it with hot sauce!

Adore beans? Add a can or two! Choose your favorite or add a can or different varieties – like kidney beans and chickpeas.

Like a variety of veggies? Add some roasted butternut squash, zucchini, and top with cilantro and red onions.

And let’s talk toppings! Who doesn’t love customizing their bowl of chili with toppings. This is where you can really make the whole family happy. Serve chili with bowls of a variety of toppings and everyone can build their perfect bowl!

Never put SunButter in chili before? You’re missing you! I got the idea from a peanut butter chili recipe and had to try it.

It adds the perfect balance to the spices in this chili. It makes the chili base rich and slightly creamy, and oh-so-satisfying! Try it and you’ll be hooked.

Hop on over to SunButter’s website and see where it’s sold near you!

What You’ll Need

Kitchen Tools:

• Large Dutch Oven or Pot

Ingredients

• Olive Oil (or avocado oil)
• Yellow Onion
• Bell Peppers (I use green, yellow, and orange)
• Lean Ground Turkey (93/7, or whatever ground turkey you love)
• Ancho Chili Powder
• Cumin
• Dried Oregano
• Cayenne Pepper (optional, adjust to desired spiciness!)
• Crushed Fire Roasted Tomatoes (any crushed tomatoes work in this!)
• Chicken Broth (using chicken bone broth adds protein)
• SunButter No Sugar Added (adds a rich, creamy flavor!)
• Optional: Kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas, or frozen corn
• Optional Veggies: Zucchini, roasted butternut squash, roasted sweet potatoes, or more!

How to Make Turkey Chili

Step 1: In a large dutch oven or soup pot, add the olive oil and the onions. Saute on medium heat for about 7 minutes, until onions are softened.

Step 2: Into the pot, add the ground turkey, and start breaking it up with a spatula as it browns.

Step 3: Season the onions and turkey with sea salt, chili powder, oregano and optionally cayenne pepper. Add in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and SunButter. Stir to combine.

Step 4: Bring the mixture to a low simmer, and continue to cook for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 5: Add in beans, frozen corn, or other veggies of choice (like roasted butternut squash or sweet potatoes, zucchini, black beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas).

Step 6: Serve chili hot with a variety of toppings!

How to Store Leftovers

Once the chili has fully cooled, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freeze Turkey Chili: This chili freezes beautifully! I love to meal prep dishes like this high protein turkey chili to defrost for meals, especially when I am eating by myself.

Either freeze all the leftovers in a large freezer safe container, or portion it out based on your needs and freeze it in small glass containers.

How to Serve Ground Turkey Chili

The chili is delicious hot, served with a variety of toppings! Try adding:

• Avocado Slices
• Sour Cream or Greek yogurt
• Hot Sauce or Salsa
• Tortilla Chips or Corn Bread
• Chopped Red Onion
• Jalapeños
• Fresh Cilantro
• (Cheddar Cheese (or favorite cheese!)

Variations for the Perfect Turkey Chili!

Sweet Potato Turkey Chili: Add cubed sweet potato to a large baking sheet and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast sweet potato at 425º F for 25 minutes. Add the roasted sweet potato at the end of simmering, and gently stir it into the pot.

Roasted Butternut Squash Turkey Chili: Add cubed butternut squash to a large baking sheet and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast squash at 425º F for 25 minutes. Add the roasted butternut at the end of simmering, and gently stir it into the pot. See this post for how to roast butternut squash.

Add Beans: Kidney beans, black beans, and garbanzo beans are all great additions to ground turkey chili. Add 1-2 cans at the end of the simmering time.

Paleo, Whole30 and Low Carb Turkey Chili: This recipe is paleo, whole30 and low-carb, if the beans and corn are not added! Try adding chopped zucchini and focusing on the low carb toppings, like avocado, red onions, and cilantro.

Other Healthy Chili Recipes

• Turkey and Butternut Squash Chili
• Whole30 Chili (Ground Beef and Butternut Squash)
• Roasted Eggplant Chili

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