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Healthy Turkey Chili with Black Beans Best Game Day Recipe

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This healthy turkey chili with black beans is the perfect game day recipe that converts skeptics and keeps the health-conscious crowd coming back for seconds. It’s hearty, flavorful, and made with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground turkey (93/7 lean)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4–5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Shredded cheddar cheese (for garnish)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for garnish)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Avocado, diced (for garnish)
  • Lime wedges (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: dice onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño; mince garlic; drain and rinse black beans; measure out spices.
  2. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil until shimmering.
  3. Add ground turkey, break it up with a wooden spoon, and cook without moving too much for 3-4 minutes to get a brown crust. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until browned (about 6-7 minutes total), then transfer to a plate and set aside. Do not drain the pan.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño (if using) to the pot. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and onions are translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using) to the pot. Stir constantly for about 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  6. Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute until it darkens slightly.
  7. Pour in about ¼ cup of the chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  8. Add fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with juices), crushed tomatoes, and remaining chicken broth. Stir to combine.
  9. Return browned turkey to the pot and stir.
  10. Gently fold in drained and rinsed black beans, being careful not to mash them.
  11. Bring chili to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover pot with lid slightly ajar and simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. If too thick, add a splash more broth or water.
  12. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed (more salt, heat, or a pinch of sugar to balance acidity).
  13. Remove from heat and let chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best flavor, make the chili a day ahead. The flavors meld and deepen overnight. To make it vegetarian, swap turkey for an extra can of black beans and a can of pinto beans, and use vegetable broth. For a slow cooker version, brown turkey and sauté vegetables on stove first, then transfer everything to slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: healthy turkey chili, black beans, game day chili, turkey chili recipe, easy chili

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