Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe for Easy Weeknight Dinners

This healthy turkey chili recipe comes together in about 40 minutes using lean ground turkey, canned beans, and a packet of chili seasoning. It’s a lighter take on a classic that still tastes like a big, hearty bowl of chili. Have a cozy night in and make this turkey chili recipe for dinner! It doesn’t take very long and it’s a healthier version that the whole family will love.

One of my favorite meals when the weather gets cooler is a nice, warm bowl of chili, and this version keeps all of that comfort with a few easy swaps. If you’re looking for an easy turkey chili that doesn’t take all evening, this is the one to bookmark.

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Why You’ll Love This Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe

This healthy turkey chili recipe uses healthier substitutions but is still full of flavor. Lean ground turkey takes the place of beef, the canned goods are reduced sodium or no salt added, and plain Greek yogurt stands in for sour cream on top. Each serving has 210 calories, 19 grams of protein, and 7 grams of fiber, which is why a bowl feels filling instead of light.

This ground turkey chili also comes together fast. It’s ready in about 40 minutes, with 15 minutes of prep and 25 minutes on the stove. It makes 8 servings, so you’ll have leftovers for lunches or the freezer, which is a nice thing to have ready on a busy week.

Healthy Turkey Chili Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground turkey, the higher the lean percentage the better
• 2 cloves garlic, already diced works great
• 1/2 diced onion, or about 2 tablespoons if you buy it already diced
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, or tomato sauce if someone at your table doesn’t like tomato chunks
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste, no sugar added is a great option
• 1 can no-salt-added whole kernel corn
• 1 can reduced-sodium black beans
• 1 can reduced-sodium pinto beans, or other beans based on your preferences
• 1 package taco or chili seasoning, low sodium if possible
• Sliced jalapenos
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Pink Himalayan salt or sea salt
• Ground pepper
• Shredded cheese
• Plain Greek yogurt

What You’ll Need

• Large skillet or pan
• Large pot with a lid
• Colander
• Meat chopper or wooden spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Glass container with a lid for leftovers

How to Make This Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe

1. Brown the turkey with just a splash of EVOO in a pan. Season with just a bit of pink Himalayan salt or sea salt and some ground pepper. I love using my meat chopper to break up the meat while it’s cooking.
2. As the turkey begins to brown, add in the onion. After a couple of minutes, add in the garlic.
3. Drain the meat once it’s brown. If you used lean turkey, you shouldn’t have much to drain!
4. Add the meat to a larger pot. Drain the corn and add it in, then add the beans. I drained most of the liquid from the beans but left about a quarter of it behind. 
5. Stir in the tomatoes and tomato paste along with the chili seasoning.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil.
7. Reduce to low heat and add the lid.  
8. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
9. Serve with a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt, a substitute for sour cream, and sprinkle a small amount of shredded cheese on top. Add any other toppings you like, such as sliced jalapeños or chopped green onions.

Tips for Making a Healthy Chili Recipe Taste Rich

Leaner meat and lighter toppings can make a healthy chili recipe taste flat if you skip a few small steps, and none of them take much time. These are the ones that make the biggest difference with this healthy turkey chili recipe.

Ground turkey at 99% lean can turn dry, so don’t skip the splash of olive oil when you brown it. Season the turkey while it cooks instead of waiting until the end, since that’s your best chance to build flavor into the meat itself.

Give the chili the full 15 to 20 minutes on low so the flavors have time to come together. If you want it thicker, let it simmer toward the long end of that window and crack the lid for the last few minutes.

Taste before you serve. Seasoning packets vary in salt and heat, and a low sodium one may need a pinch of salt at the end. The Greek yogurt and cheese on top add creaminess, so a small spoonful of each goes a long way.

Toppings and What to Serve With Turkey Chili

Plain Greek yogurt and a little shredded cheese are an easy place to start, and from there you can build the bowl however you like. Sliced jalapenos and chopped green onions add heat and crunch, and diced avocado, fresh cilantro, or a handful of crushed tortilla chips make it feel a bit more like a loaded bowl.

Because this turkey chili with beans is already filling, the sides can stay simple. A green salad keeps dinner light, and a square of cornbread is a good choice when you want it cozier. Leftover chili also pairs well with brown rice, which turns it into an easy lunch bowl the next day. Heat depends on the seasoning packet you pick, so choose mild or medium based on who’s eating.

Healthy Turkey Chili Variations and Easy Swaps

If you’re a fan of spicy chili, you can add some sliced jalapenos to the cooking process for some extra heat. You can certainly use traditional beef in this recipe, or ground chicken if you’d like another lean option.

You could include mushrooms, diced bell pepper, or zucchini for extra veggies, or change the beans you use. Make it your own; you know what you and your family love! If you’d rather let the stove take a break, you can brown the turkey, onion, and garlic as written and finish it as a slow cooker turkey chili instead.

How to Freeze Turkey Chili and Store Leftovers

This healthy turkey chili recipe is a great make-ahead meal, and this batch makes enough that you’ll likely have extra. Store any leftovers in a glass container with a lid in your refrigerator, where they stay good for 3 to 4 days.

If you want to freeze turkey chili, let it cool completely first, then spoon it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove or in the microwave until it’s steaming hot. Hold off on the Greek yogurt and cheese until after it’s reheated. Chili is a natural for meal prep, and a batch of egg cups covers breakfast for the same week.

Bring This Easy Turkey Chili to Your Next Cozy Night In

A bowl of this healthy turkey chili recipe is proof that comfort food and a dinner you feel good about can go together. It’s hearty, it’s easy to make ahead, and it leaves you with leftovers for the week. Make a big pot, top it however you like, and let the rest of the night be easy.