This healthy turkey chili recipe is hearty and flavorful made with lean ground turkey, veggies and beans. A cozy meal that is easy make on the stovetop or slow cooker.

Filling soup recipes are so satisfying for game day or weeknight dinners! We also love crockpot chili, pumpkin chili and white chicken chili!

A spoon in a bowl of healthy turkey chili showing beans, ground turkey and veggies.

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Key Takeaways: Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe

  • Hearty and flavorful: Lean ground turkey, three kinds of beans, veggies and warm chili spices make every bowl satisfying.
  • Two easy methods: Make this healthy turkey chili on the stovetop or let it simmer in the slow cooker.
  • Great for meal prep: It reheats well, freezes beautifully and has about 30g of protein per serving.

Why I Love This Recipe

A big bowl of hearty chili is one of my favorite dinners during fall and winter. This homemade chili recipe, Wendy’s copycat chili and this healthy turkey chili are always in the rotation when I’m craving comfort food.

I love that this one works just as well for a cozy weeknight dinner as it does for meal prep or freezer meals. Serve it with sweet cornbread with honey for an easy, filling meal.

XO - Jamielyn

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for healthy turkey chili with ground turkey, three types of beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion and seasonings.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Ground turkey: I love how this lean meat helps lighten the chili and make it somehow turn this comfort food into a feel-good food.
  • Veggies: You will need onion and any color of sweet bell pepper. Corn is optional but adds both a sweet taste and nice color to the chili.
  • Garlic: The minced garlic helps round out the onion and pepper and give a nice base for the chili.
  • Chicken broth: I use chicken broth instead of beef broth to keep things light, but you could also use vegetable if you like.
  • Tomatoes: I love the petite diced tomatoes for this chili as they give texture as well add a nice acidity to the base.
  • Beans: This chili is all about the beans, using a mixture of kidney beans, black beans, and white chili beans.
  • Spices: Chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt provide the perfect background to make all the other flavors shine.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Protein. Just because this is a healthy turkey chili recipe doesn’t mean you can’t swap the meat for ground chicken or ground beef if you want.
  • Vegetarian. You could make it without for a meat free version but may want to add some additional beans. Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth.
  • Spicier. Add some cayenne pepper or use chipotle chili powder. You could also use chopped jalapenos for garnish.
  • Veggies and beans. Add some carrots and celery with onion and pepper or use other beans such as chickpeas or cannellini beans.

How to Make Healthy Turkey Chili

Ground turkey cooking with diced onion and bell pepper in a large pot.

Step 1: Cook the onion and bell pepper in olive oil until softened, then stir in the garlic just until fragrant.

Beans, tomatoes and chili seasonings added to browned ground turkey in the pot.

Step 2: Add the ground turkey and break it apart as it cooks. Once no longer pink, stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano and salt so the spices coat the meat and vegetables.

Healthy turkey chili simmering with ground turkey, beans, tomatoes and corn.

Step 3: Stir in the tomatoes, drained beans and corn, if using. Start with less chicken broth for a thicker chili, then add more as needed.

Turkey chili in a white bowl with toppings.

Step 4: Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can come together. Taste, adjust the seasonings and add your favorite toppings.

Crockpot Version

Turn this easy turkey chili recipe into a slow cooker turkey chili. Nothing better than homemade chili simmering in the slow cooker all day.

  1. Simply follow the instructions, such as cooking the onions and ground turkey up until adding the seasonings.
  2. Then place the remaining ingredients in the slow cooker with the cooked turkey.
  3. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
Ladle full of healthy turkey chili.

Favorite Turkey Chili Toppings

Top your turkey chili with any combination of these favorites for extra creaminess, freshness or crunch.

  • Sour cream: Add a dollop for a creamy finish, or use Greek yogurt if preferred.
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: Sprinkle it over the hot chili so it gets perfectly melty.
  • Avocado or guacamole: Add sliced avocado or a spoonful of guacamole.
  • Something crunchy: Try crushed tortilla strips, homemade tortilla chips or cornbread croutons.
  • Cilantro: Adds a fresh pop of flavor.
  • Green or red onion: Sprinkle a little on top for extra bite.

Healthy Turkey Chili FAQs

Can I make this ahead?

Yes, please! Chili always tastes better the next day, after the flavors have had time to really meld, so feel free to make this up to 2 days in advance and reheat on the stovetop on low until warmed through.

What to serve with healthy turkey chili?

After loading your bowl with toppings serve with a side of cornbread muffins or homemade biscuits. A simple salad always goes over well, too.

Can I make this in the Instant Pot?

This is a great way to develop flavor in a short amount of time! First, use the saute button to brown meat, onions and bell pepper. Scrape any burnt bits off the bottom and all other ingredients except corn adding tomatoes and beans last. Pressure cook for 12 minutes. Natural release 10 minutes then quick release. Stir in corn.

Healthy turkey chili in with beans, ground turkey and veggies in a white bowl topped with avocado anda crushed chips.

Looking for more recipes with ground turkey? You’ll also love my turkey meatloaf recipe, egg roll in a bowl and turkey meatballs.

More Chili Recipes

Bowl of the best turkey chili.

Healthy Turkey Chili

4.99 from 74 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
This healthy turkey chili recipe is easy, hearty and flavorful made with lean ground turkey, veggies and beans. A cozy meal made on the stovetop or slow cooker.
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Video

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion , chopped
  • 1 medium red bell pepper , chopped
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 2-3 Tablespoons chili powder , plus more to taste
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt , plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1-2 cups chicken broth (depending on how thick you like your chili)
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15-ounce) can dark red kidney beans , drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans , drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can white chili beans , drained and rinsed
  • 1 ½ cups corn (canned or frozen, optional)

Optional toppings: Shredded cheese, Sour cream, Cilantro, Avocados, Tortilla chips

Instructions

  • Brown turkey. In a large pot over medium heat, heat 1 Tablespoon oil. Stir in 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped red bell pepper, and 2 teaspoons minced garlic. Cook 5 minutes, or until the onions become translucent. Add 1 pound ground turkey and cook until lightly browned. Drain, if needed. Stir in 2-3 Tablespoons chili powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon oregano.
  • Simmer. Add 2 cups broth, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 1 can red kidney beans, 1 can black beans, 1 can white kidney beans and 1 1/2 cups corn, if using. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Simmer at least 30 minutes, but the longer the better. Adjust seasonings, as needed.
  • Add toppings and serve. Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite toppings to serve.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Crockpot: Simply follow the instructions up until adding the seasonings. Then place the remaining ingredients in the slow cooker with the cooked turkey. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
Use ground beef in place of ground turkey.
Make the spices your own by adding smoked paprika, turmeric, garam marsala, or whatever sounds good to you.
Add some heat with cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes. 
Store: Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezer: Cool soup completely then place turkey chili in a freezer bag or airtight container. Store in the freezer for 3 months.
Reheat: To reheat, thaw chili overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl, Calories: 359kcal, Carbohydrates: 54g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 32mg, Sodium: 608mg, Potassium: 1295mg, Fiber: 15g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 1391IU, Vitamin C: 32mg, Calcium: 128mg, Iron: 7mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.