Introduction: Mastering the One-Pot Turkey Chili
As a chef, I know the secret to weeknight success is minimizing cleanup without sacrificing flavor. Turkey chili is inherently lean and quick, making it perfect for one-pot preparation. These 10 distinct recipes offer variations in spice, texture, and regional flavor, proving that turkey chili can be anything but boring. Follow these expert tips and ditch the extra dishes!
1. The Classic Hearty Brown-and-Simmer Chili
Ingredients:
* 1.5 lbs lean ground turkey
* 1 large yellow onion, diced
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 3 Tbsp chili powder
* 1 Tbsp cumin
* 1 tsp smoked paprika
* Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Brown the turkey in the pot until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
2. Add onion and cook until softened (5 minutes). Stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin, and paprika; cook for 1 minute.
3. Pour in crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Prep/Cook Time & Servings: 15 min prep / 45 min cook / Serves 6.
2. Smoky Chipotle Fire-Roasted Turkey Chili
Ingredients:
* 1 lb ground turkey
* 1 red bell pepper, diced
* 1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
* 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed
* 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced (plus 1 tsp sauce)
* 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
* 2 Tbsp brown sugar
* 1 cup strong black coffee (or broth)
* Olive oil
Instructions:
1. Sauté turkey and bell pepper in olive oil until turkey is cooked.
2. Stir in cocoa powder and brown sugar until dissolved.
3. Add fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans, chipotle pepper, and coffee.
4. Simmer for at least 25 minutes to allow the smoky chipotle flavor to deepen.
Prep/Cook Time & Servings: 10 min prep / 35 min cook / Serves 4.
3. White Bean and Green Chile Verde Turkey Chili
Ingredients:
* 1 lb ground turkey
* 1 large jalapeño, seeded and diced
* 1 (15 oz) can Great Northern beans, rinsed
* 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
* 4 cups chicken broth
* 1 cup chopped tomatillos (or salsa verde)
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
* 1 tsp dried oregano
* Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions:
1. Brown the turkey with the jalapeño. Drain any liquid.
2. Add beans, green chiles, broth, tomatillos, and oregano.
3. Bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, allowing the chili to slightly thicken.
4. Stir in fresh cilantro right before serving. Serve with a squeeze of lime.
Prep/Cook Time & Servings: 15 min prep / 30 min cook / Serves 5.
4. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili (Vegan Option Friendly)
Ingredients:
* 1.5 lbs ground turkey
* 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
* 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed
* 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
* 1 diced orange bell pepper
* 1 Tbsp maple syrup or honey
* 2 tsp cinnamon
* 4 cups vegetable stock
Instructions:
1. Brown turkey in the pot. Remove turkey and set aside.
2. Add sweet potato and orange bell pepper to the pot; cook until slightly softened (8 minutes).
3. Return turkey to the pot. Stir in black beans, corn, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vegetable stock.
4. Simmer until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender (about 25-30 minutes).
Prep/Cook Time & Servings: 20 min prep / 45 min cook / Serves 7.
5. Speedy Tex-Mex Firecracker Chili
Ingredients:
* 1 lb lean ground turkey
* 1 packet taco seasoning
* 1 (10 oz) can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies)
* 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, rinsed
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/4 cup cornmeal (for thickening)
* Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions:
1. Brown the turkey. Add taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute.
2. Pour in the Rotel, pinto beans, and water. Bring to a vigorous simmer.
3. Whisk the cornmeal into the chili rapidly to avoid lumps. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken into a hearty stew consistency.
Prep/Cook Time & Servings: 5 min prep / 20 min cook / Serves 4.
6. Cincinnati-Inspired Five-Way Chili
Ingredients:
* 1 lb ground turkey
* 1/2 cup tomato paste
* 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
* 1 tsp cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp allspice
* 1/4 tsp cloves
* 1 square unsweetened baking chocolate
* 2 cups beef broth
* 1 can chili beans in sauce
Instructions:
1. In the pot, break up and brown the turkey thoroughly. Drain fat.
2. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, and all the spices (cinnamon, allspice, cloves). Cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add beef broth, chili beans, and the chocolate square. Bring to a slow simmer.
4. Simmer gently for 45 minutes until very thin and sauce-like. This style is meant to be runny for serving over spaghetti.
Prep/Cook Time & Servings: 15 min prep / 60 min cook / Serves 4.
7. Rich and Creamy Butternut Squash Chili
Ingredients:
* 1.2 lbs ground turkey
* 2 cups peeled and diced butternut squash
* 1 (15 oz) can navy beans, rinsed
* 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
* 3 cups chicken stock
* 2 Tbsp maple syrup
* 1 Tbsp yellow curry powder
Instructions:
1. Brown turkey in the pot. Add butternut squash and cook until edges start to soften (7 minutes).
2. Add curry powder and cook until fragrant.
3. Stir in navy beans, chicken stock, and maple syrup. Simmer until squash is very tender (30 minutes).
4. Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk just before serving for richness.
Prep/Cook Time & Servings: 20 min prep / 45 min cook / Serves 6.
8. Spicy Habanero-Lime Turkey Chili
Ingredients:
* 1 lb ground turkey
* 1 habanero pepper, finely minced (use gloves)
* 1/4 cup lime juice, divided
* 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or canned)
* 1 Tbsp ground coriander
* 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
* 1 cup water
Instructions:
1. Brown the turkey with the minced habanero and coriander. Be careful of fumes.
2. Add diced tomatoes, corn, cayenne pepper, and water. Simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in half of the lime juice (2 Tbsp) and reserve the rest for garnish.
4. Serve immediately with extra lime juice for brightness and heat balancing.
Prep/Cook Time & Servings: 10 min prep / 30 min cook / Serves 4.
9. Italian-Inspired Turkey and Zucchini Chili
Ingredients:
* 1.5 lbs ground turkey
* 2 medium zucchini, diced
* 1 Tbsp dried oregano
* 1 Tbsp dried basil
* 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
* 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, rinsed
* 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
* 2 cups vegetable broth
Instructions:
1. Brown turkey. Add zucchini, oregano, and basil; cook until zucchini softens (about 7 minutes).
2. Stir in diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, and vegetable broth.
3. Simmer for 35 minutes until the sauce reduces slightly.
4. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese just before serving to melt.
Prep/Cook Time & Servings: 15 min prep / 45 min cook / Serves 6.
10. Pumpkin Beer and Harvest Spice Chili
Ingredients:
* 1 lb ground turkey
* 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
* 1 cup pumpkin or dark ale beer
* 1 (15 oz) can dark red kidney beans
* 1 cup diced celery
* 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
* 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice blend
* 1/4 cup molasses
Instructions:
1. Brown the turkey and diced celery. Drain fat.
2. Deglaze the pot by pouring in the beer and scraping up any browned bits. Let reduce slightly (3 minutes).
3. Stir in pumpkin puree, kidney beans, Worcestershire sauce, pumpkin pie spice, and molasses.
4. Simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld into a deep, rich sauce.
Prep/Cook Time & Servings: 15 min prep / 40 min cook / Serves 4.
