The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
This flavorful ground turkey chili isn’t just delicious; it’s your secret weapon for stress-free dinners. Prep it ahead of time and enjoy the convenience of having piping hot chili waiting on any busy weeknight.
You can make six servings of this recipe for about $15.94. That works out to be around $2.65 per serving.
Table of Contents
You’ll love this Easy Turkey Chili
- Easy Mealtime Prep: Prepare this chili the day before and enjoy a hot, hearty meal in minutes on any busy weeknight.
- Lunchbox love: Leftovers reheat perfectly, providing a delicious and nutritious lunch option throughout the week.
- Double and freeze: Make a big batch and freeze half for another busy week. The future you will be grateful!
- Stress-free solution: Skip the takeout menus and have a satisfying, homemade meal ready whenever you need it.
Healthy Turkey Chili ingredients and cost
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil – $0.36
- 2 pounds ground turkey – $7.64
- 1 large yellow onion – $0.45
- 3 large garlic cloves – $0.12
- 2 (15oz) cans tomato sauce – $2.00
- 4 cups chicken broth – $1.69
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin – $0.06
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder – $0.16
- 1 teaspoon oregano – $0.05
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper – $0.05
- 2 (15oz) cans black beans – $1.58
- 2 (15oz) cans kidney beans – $1.78
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in February 2024.
Recipe Variations
- Instead of tomato sauce, you can use diced tomatoes or Rotel.
- In addition, you can use a variety of beans like chili beans, pinto beans, and garbanzo beans.
How To Make Ground Turkey Chili
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Begin by heating oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Break apart the ground turkey and cook until browned, draining any excess grease as needed.
- Drain off the fat from the turkey and add in the garlic.
- Stir in the spices and seasonings.
- Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30-45 minutes or until thickened to your liking.
- Finally, taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve your chili hot with your favorite toppings.
Get Kids Involved in Making This Recipe
Ages 2-3: Let them help stir all the ingredients together in a big bowl. It’s a great way for them to practice using their gross motor skills and have fun at the same time.
Ages 4-5: Have them practice counting and measuring out the ingredients as you add them to the pot. It’s a sneaky way to get some math learning into their cooking experience.
Ages 6-8: If you’re using ground meat, supervise them as they learn how to use a meat grinder. It’s a hands-on way to get them involved in the prep process.
Ages 9-11: Have them read through the recipe twice before starting. Then, supervise them as they help you prepare each step. It’s a great way to boost their confidence and independence in the kitchen.
Ages 12+: Let them take the reins and prepare the entire recipe on their own. You can always be nearby for any questions, but this is their chance to shine and impress you with their culinary skills.
Storing and Serving This Ground Turkey Chili Recipe
Serve: For food safety, remember to refrigerate leftover chili within 2 hours of cooking.
Store: While delicious the day of, this chili truly hits its stride on days 2 and 3! The flavors meld and mature, creating an even more delicious experience. So store it covered in the fridge, then savor it over the next few days.
Freeze: Cool your leftover chili completely and divvy it into freezer-safe containers or bags. Label and freeze for 3-4 months of future deliciousness!
Thaw & Reheat: For a quick thaw, leave your frozen chili at room temperature for 4-5 hours. Otherwise, thaw overnight in the fridge. Once thawed, heat it in a pot on medium-high heat until steaming hot, stirring occasionally.
Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe FAQs
Beef not your thing? No worries! This adaptable chili welcomes ground turkey with open arms. Leftover turkey scraps are also welcome guests, adding a unique flavor twist. You can use turkey in our beef chili recipe for a delicious meal.
Absolutely! You can place the cooked chili in freezer safe Ziploc bags before placing it in the freezer for up to four months.
We love kidney and black beans in this chili, but feel free to get creative! Pinto or Great Northern would be excellent choices, or use your favorite type for a personalized twist.
Contrary to popular belief, ground turkey cooks just as quickly as ground beef. In fact, being leaner, it can even cook faster! Overcooking dries it out, so cook until golden brown and avoid the tough texture.
Turkey chili tends to be healthier than beef chili thanks to its lower fat content. However, remember that additional ingredients can influence the overall calorie count. Our turkey chili, for example, packs 261 calories per serving, while our beef chili reaches 601. So, while turkey offers a lighter base, keep an eye on other ingredients like cheese, sour cream, or fatty sausages to make informed choices.
Budget Tips
We’re big fans of snagging ground turkey on sale – extra packs get frozen for whenever the craving strikes. Rainy days, busy nights, or sudden inspiration – you name it, this frozen friend is ready!
More from Easy Budget Recipes:
Healthy Turkey Chili
Equipment
- large pot
- measuring cups
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 3 large cloves garlic minced
- 2 15oz cans tomato sauce
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 15oz cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 15oz cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
FOR SERVING: (all optional)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sliced avocado
- Diced red onion
- Tortilla strips
Instructions
- Heat oil n a large heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add oil and onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until onions are tender and translucent.
- Add in ground turkey and cook until thoroughly cooked. Drain and return to pot.
- Next add in garlic, cumin, chili powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper stir.
- Add in tomato sauce, chicken broth, kidney beans, and black beans.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer for 30-45 minutes.
- Adjust seasons to taste. Serve with toppings (optional).
- Serve immediately.
Gina says
A classic recipe that has all the hearty notes of a good chili! Love it for chilly days when you’re craving a good cozy meal.
Renee Goerger says
Turkey chili is one of my favorites and this recipe tops my favorites. Thanks for the yummy new recipe! I’ll be making this a lot!
Jennifer Maly says
This recipe is delicious, but the serving size says 2C. I believe it should be 1C for the calories indicated.
Jess Jankowski says
So happy to hear that you love this chili as much as we do! Believe it or not, the nutrition calculator is based off of a serving size of 2 cups.
Sue says
If you really want to price this as a budget meal, you should show how to use dried beans. Much cheaper. And easier with a crock pot or instapot!
Jess Jankowski says
Great suggestion Sue!
Elizabeth says
This was delicious but I didn’t know when to add the garlic. Does it get sautéed with the onions or does it just go in raw?
Jess Jankowski says
So glad you enjoyed it Elizabeth! The garlic goes in raw.
*Add in ground turkey and cook until thoroughly cooked. Drain and return to pot.
*Next add in garlic, cumin, chili powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper stir.