This is my classic go-to healthy turkey chili recipe all fall and winter long. I call it healthy comfort food in a bowl because it’s hearty and satisfying for all of those chilly days. It is perfect for a big gathering, football Sunday festivities, or for a good weekly meal prep option since there are tons of leftovers! Make it on the stove-top or right in your Instant Pot pressure cooker for an easy turkey chili recipe! Simply swap out turkey for beef to make the best beef chili recipe!
How to Make Turkey Chili
The best part? You can customize this chili to your liking. Some days I’ll add more veggies based on what is in season. Make it on the stove-top, or in the Instant Pot pressure cooker! I’ve also perfected this chili to be equally delicious with or without the beans. Instant Pot directions included, and Whole30-approved!
Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe
Ahhh… comfort food. I think I could make this recipe with my eyes closed at this point! It is always a huge hit and it’s one of my top rated recipes. Perfect for a big party, football Sunday, or for a good weekly meal prep (tons of leftovers). The best part of the chili is you can customize to your liking, some days I’ll add more vegetables based on what’s in season! For a beanless turkey chili, and to make this Whole30 compliant, simply omit the beans! They are optional!
How to Make Chili in the Instant Pot
- Using the sauté function, sauté the veggies until soft.
- Add meat and cook until brown.
- Add in the spices, tomatoes, and water (reduce water to 1 cup)
- Lock the lid and cook under manual -> high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Turn the knob to venting and release the pressure manually or let the pressure naturally come down.
- Open and taste the chili! Add beans here if adding. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Notes: If you added too much water, use the sauté function for a few minutes to reduce the water down!
Want more chili recipes?
What do you top chili with?
- Scallions
- Avocado Slices
- Cheese
- Diced Onion
- Cilantro
- Diced Tomatoes
- Guacamole
- Tortilla Chips
- Shredded Lettuce
- Sour Cream
- Additional red pepper flakes if desired for heat
- and MORE!
Healthy Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or oil of choice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium onions, diced
- 2 bell peppers (any color), chopped
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- Optional: 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 2 pounds ground turkey or grass-fed beef
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 cups water, more as needed
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, more to taste
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more to taste or use as desired based on spice level
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons celery seed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, more to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Optional: 1 (15-ounce) can black beans
- Optional: 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans
- Optional: 1 small jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
Directions
- In a soup pot, heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the garlic, onions, peppers, carrots, celery, and sweet potato, if using, for 5 to 7 minutes, until soft.
- Add the meat to the pot and cook until browned, stirring often to break up the meat.
- Once the meat is browned, add the water, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste, salt, and all of the spices. Mix well to combine. If you are adding the beans and jalapeño, do so here.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat and let simmer, uncovered, until the chili is nice and thick, about 3 hours. Add additional water during this time if you want your chili more souplike. Towards the end of the cooking time, taste and adjust spices as desired. Add additional cayenne for an extra kick, and more salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve garnished with your favorite chili toppings, if desired.
- Store in refrigerator for 1 week or store in the freezer for up to 3 months!
Recipe Notes
- *Omit beans to make this Whole30 compliant and paleo-friendly!
- How to Make Chili in the Instant Pot
- Using the sauté function, sauté the veggies until soft.
- Add meat and cook until brown.
- Add in the spices, tomatoes, and water (reduce water to 1 cup)
- Lock the lid and cook under manual -> high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Turn the knob to venting and release the pressure manually or let the pressure naturally come down.
- Open and taste the chili! Add beans here if adding. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Notes:
- If you added too much water, use the sauté function for a few minutes to reduce the water down!
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21 comments on “Turkey Chili (Stove-Top or Instant Pot)”
Thanks for sharing this recipes, Lexi! It’s so helpful to make this ahead of time for a busy week. My husband and I can eat if for days and not get tired of it. Best chili I’ve tried so far.
I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipes TaKara! xoxo
Can you make this in a crock pot?
Definitely!
I’m trying to go Paleo and wondering if the beans in this chili are Paleo legal?
Thanks
Beans are not! Omit them for fully paleo. I adapted a paleo version linked in the post (sans beans)! Enjoy.
Made this last night – WOW!!! I cut the recipe in half as it was only for 2 people; had a super hot kick, but it was fantastic!!!!!!! Can’t wait to try the buffalo chicken chili next!!!!
I have been searching for a healthy turkey chili recipe for awhile, and I am SO happy I landed on this one. I made it yesterday and it was delicious (and made the house smell amazing). I omitted the carrots but couldn’t be more happy with the turnout!
Hi! I was wondering what is the serving size per serving
I are 12 large onions. I assume you meant 2?
UPDATED and fixed. Refresh!
This recipe is fantastic. I used 1 lb of ground turkey with (4) spicy Italian sausages (out of the casing) for the near. I used 1 red bell pepper with a handful of diced sweet peppers. My whole family loved this recipe! #lckchallenge
This looks so good! If you want to crock pot it, how long and on what setting would you suggest? Thanks!
8 hours on low!!
I could TOTALLY go for a bowl of this right now!!
So easy and super delicious. My favorite chili!
Just made this tonight and its so good! Accidentally went a little heavy handed on the cayenne but will 100% make again!
Can I use the slow cooker for this? My instapot is in storage as I’m moving!!
Can I use ground chicken instead? Not a fan of turkey or beef but this chili sounds delish.
Ground chicken will be dryer than turkey or beef – but you can!