Turkey Chili Beans Flavorful (Printable View)
A rich blend of lean turkey, beans, and bold spices for satisfying meals anytime.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
06 - 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
07 - 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
08 - 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
10 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 2 tbsp chili powder
12 - 1 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
15 - 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
16 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
17 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
→ Pantry
18 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Garnishes (optional)
19 - Chopped cilantro
20 - Sliced green onions
21 - Shredded cheese
22 - Sour cream
# How to Prepare:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and red bell pepper; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and chopped jalapeño; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Mix in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute to release flavors.
05 - Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, and low-sodium chicken broth. Stir thoroughly to combine.
06 - Bring mixture to a gentle boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened and flavors meld.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with preferred garnishes.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It sneaks in two kinds of beans and a full bell pepper without anyone noticing they're eating healthy.
- The turkey keeps it light but the spices make it taste like it simmered all day, even though it really didn't.
- Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day, which means less work when you're too tired to cook.
02 -
- Don't skip toasting the spices in step four, that one minute is what turns this from okay chili into something that tastes like it has a secret.
- If your chili looks too thin after thirty minutes, just mash a few beans against the side of the pot with your spoon to thicken it naturally.
- Always drain and rinse the beans or the chili will taste metallic and the texture will be slimy instead of hearty.
03 -
- Use a wooden spoon to break up the turkey as it cooks, it's gentler than metal and won't scratch your pot.
- If you want deeper color and flavor, let the turkey brown a little longer before adding the spices, those crispy bits add richness you can't fake.
- Taste it halfway through simmering and adjust the spices then, it's easier to fix while it still has time to meld than at the very end.