Your heart leaps and your taste buds cheer as you think about warming up that cup of easy chili with turkey when you get home from work. To have something super delicious waiting in the fridge, or to come home and make it hot-off-the-grill (or hot-off-the-pot, but grill sounded better- LOL), for dinner is a huge bonus these days in the hustle and bustle of life. It can make meal prep a lot less stressful when you have quick and easy options that are healthy.
I’m excited to share the chili recipe that has been a family favorite of ours, over the years. I’m confident yours will enjoy it as well. And, after you make it, feel free to let me know what you think about the dish in the comments.
This post is all about an easy chili with turkey recipe.
Printable Chili Recipe
How to Make Turkey with Chili
Making easy chili with turkey is exactly that! Easy, no matter how you cook it! You can prepare it in a pot, via stovetop, like I did or even use an Instant Pot. Just brown the meat, add the rest of the ingredients, cover with a lid, and cook. It doesn’t take long to see this one-pot-wonder come together. It’s the perfect dish to serve on a cold fall or winter day. You can find the detailed recipe, below.
Turkey Chili Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Grapeseed or Olive Oil
- 1 Cup Diced Yellow Onion
- 1 Tablespoon Crushed Garlic
- 1/4 Cup Diced Yellow Pepper
- 1 Medium Size Diced Sweet Potato
- 1/2 Cup Frozen Corn
- 1 Pound Ground Turkey
- 1- 28 Ounce Can Crushed Tomatoes
- 1- 16 Ounce Can Red Kidney Beans- Rinse and Drain
- 2 1/2 Cups Chicken Broth- Low Sodium
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Sugar (I use Monk Fruit Sweetener)
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons Pink Sea Salt or Regular Sea Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
Instructions
Start by browning the ground turkey with the oil and onions. Add minced garlic, yellow pepper, corn, and beans, once the meat is cooked. Next, add the canned tomatoes and chicken broth. Finally, add the chili powder, sugar, garlic powder, sea salt, dried basil and oregano. Cook with the lid on for about one hour or until the chili is thoroughly heated and the flavors are well blended. Enjoy!
How to Make Diary Free and Gluten Free Turkey Chili
The good news is that this recipe is naturally diary and gluten-free. The toppings you add will help you fully incorporate the FREES. Opt to use dairy-free cheeses and sour cream, and gluten-free crackers and breads. The shredded cheese you see in my bowl are a dairy-free version.
Can You Cook Turkey Chili in a Slow Cooker
Absolutely, yes! Chili is one of those pots of deliciousness that is super versatile and able to be cooked in multiple ways to suit your lifestyle. Sometimes you just need a set-it-and-forget-it method. The slow cooker offers busy moms and full time employees the ability to have a hot and ready meal waiting for them. To make cooking go even faster, try using the Instant Pot.
If you prefer to cook your chili using the crock pot method, set it on low and cook for about 6-7 hours, or on high and cook for about 3-4 hours. Then, bon appetite!
Chili Topping Ideas
When it comes to turkey chili toppings there are so many to choose from. Here is a list of common, and not-so-common garnishes.
- Avocado
- Onions- red, green, yellow, and white
- Cheese- cubes and shredded
- Sour Cream
- Tortilla Chips
- Crackers
- Croutons
- Corn Bread Crumbles
- French Bread Pieces
- Croissant Bites
- Biscuit Crumbles
- Fried Onion Crisps
- Bacon Bits
- Lime Wedge
- Greek Yogurt
- Cocoa Powder
- Soy Sauce
- Coconut Aminos
- Honey
- Olives
- Mango
- Siracha
- Dried Cranberries
- Seasonings
You can also pour your easy chili with turkey over baked potatoes, hot dogs, mac and cheese, nachos, and French fries. There are multiple options when it comes to how you can enjoy your turkey chili, and eat it too (pun intended). Hehe!
What to Serve with Chili
Have you ever thought about wanting a side-kick for your chili dish? Here are some yummy ideas that will make this hardy soup mesh well with a partner just like peanut butter goes with jelly. I’m on a roll, now! Lol!
- Caesar Salad- Click here for our favorite Caesar dressing recipe.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Corn on the Cob
- Coleslaw
- Onion Rings
- Fried Pickles
- Quesadillas
- Potato Skins
How to Store Turkey Chili
When it comes to storing your chili, it’s best to place it in an airtight container. If you can opt to use glass or stainless steel, I’ve noticed these seem to keep the flavors beautifully blended, as opposed to using plastic.
The chili can last in the fridge for about 4 days. If you are noticing that you are not able to eat all of it within that timeframe, you can put the rest in a freezer bag. Just lay it flat, remove as much air as possible, and freeze. It should last about 3 months in the freezer. I’m confident you will be craving it again by then and have to pull it out for another helping.
Conclusion
When it comes to this easy chili with turkey recipe, there are so many ways to serve and eat your oh-so-delicious dish. From gluten and dairy free, to potato and hot dog toppings, this hardy meal can be served in many ways.
Feel free to use your creativity and make your own chili masterpiece however you see fit. And, let me know in the comments, your creative ideas and how you topped your bowl of goodness. I so enjoy hearing from you!
Related Posts To Check Out
Super Simple Caesar Salad Dressing without Anchovies
Simple Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe
Make and Bake Quick Breakfast Casserole
P.S. Note of Encouragement
Something I have been pondering lately is the subject of forgiveness. Even though it doesn’t necessarily go hand-in-hand with a turkey chili recipe, it’s still a delicious topic to highlight because it can bring great fruit in our lives.
Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. That is something to keep in mind as you might have to work through this process one day. Sometimes hurt, disappointment, or betrayal, can take time to get over. The key is to intentionally ask God for His help in moving past the offence.
There are times when we have to work through a thought process over and over again, and remember to take every one of those thoughts “captive,” as the Word says, so that the voice of unforgiveness becomes quieter (2 Corinthians 10:5). It’s a process, much like everything else we walk through in life. But, it’s worth it so your heart can remain soft.
Give yourself grace as you forgive. And, the other person, too. Pray for them! You never know what other things they might be walking through to make them respond the way they did.
Hold fast to what God says to do as you work through forgiveness, and be intentional about it. He will make all things new in time. Stay the course and be encouraged. God will turn it to good as you partner with Him and do it His way.
Forgiveness is a tool God gave you, to set you free. You cannot control others and their choices. But, you can choose how you respond. Choose to forgive!