Healthy White Bean Turkey Chili full of protein, veggies, and delicious spices and seasonings. This easy recipe is a different spin on classic chili, made with lean ground turkey and hearty white beans. This flavorful chili is simple and comes together in only 45 minutes. It’s the perfect comfort food dinner!
Healthy White Bean Turkey Chili
You know that can of white beans that is always staring at you when you open your pantry?
You know what I’m talking about. It’s that can of white beans that sounded like a good idea when you were in the grocery store but now you’re home and clueless. Well, this is the recipe for you, my friend.
This healthy white bean turkey chili is a delicious spin on classic chili. Instead of ground beef it uses lean ground turkey which is packed with protein and relatively inexpensive.
Instead of kidney beans, this chili uses delicious and tender white beans to make a hearty chili that you will absolutely love.
Not only is this chili packed with protein and flavor, it is also so simple and easy to make. You can make it on the stovetop in around forty-five minutes or let it cook all day in your slow cooker until you are ready for dinner.
Once it’s ready, you can finish off your bowl with all of your favorite toppings and dig into a hearty and comforting bowl of your new favorite chili. Keep reading to learn how to make this recipe!
Tools You’ll Need:
What Ingredients Do You Need?
Ground turkey: The heart and soul of this chili is the ground turkey. Chili is one of my personal favorite ways to use ground turkey. Because it is naturally more lean than ground beef, it works really well in recipes like this that require a little more slow cooking.
White beans: Typically kidney beans are used in chili but this recipe uses white beans instead. White beans also go by white kidney beans or cannellini beans so be sure to check the labels for those buzzwords if you are having trouble finding a can at your local grocery store. Drain and rinse the beans for this recipe.
Onion: One small to medium yellow onion is all you need. Don’t over think it when it comes to the size of your onion. This recipe is forgiving so just grab one that looks good.
Bell pepper: I used a smallish red bell pepper when I made this recipe and took photos but you honestly could use whatever color pepper you have or prefer. Green or orange would both work really well here.
Green chilis: The secret to a good chili recipe is a can or two of green chilis. They add so much flavor.
Canned tomatoes: Diced canned tomatoes are a pantry staple for most homes, including my own. There is always a can lurking around the back of my pantry. If you are feeling fancy, feel free to grab a can of fire roasted diced tomatoes for this dish.
Garlic: Fresh garlic changes lives. Ok, maybe that’s dramatic but it certainly adds a ton of flavor and five large cloves do some good work in this chili.
Bay leaves: Bay leaves are another flavor bomb that you may not have tried adding to chili before. When it comes to any kind of red sauce or stew, throwing in a bay leaf is usually a good idea. Two dried bay leaves add a ton of delicious flavor in this recipe.
Spices: If you are used to using a premade chili seasoning packet, you may be surprised to know just how easy it is to make your own chili seasoning. All you need is a combination of chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, and chipotle powder.
Beef broth: Don’t have beef broth? Feel free to use chicken broth or a combination of beef and chicken broth will also work well.
How to Make the Best White Bean Turkey Chili
Alright, let’s make this white bean turkey chili!
Step One: First up, heat a large pot over medium-high heat and then add in a little avocado or coconut oil. Next, add in your ground turkey and brown the meat breaking it up as it cooks.
Step Two: Once the ground turkey is fully cooked through, add in the bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Give everything a good stir and let it cook for a few minutes until you notice the onion starting to become tender and translucent.
Step Three: It’s only step three and you are basically done! See, I told you this was easy. Now, all you have to do is add in the tomatoes, green chilis, spices, and broth. Stir until everything is well combined and then bring the chili to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and allow the chili to simmer for 30-45 minutes.
Once the chili is finished simmering, serve it with your favorite toppings and dig in!
Need a Slow Cooker Option?
It is totally possible to make this recipe in the slow cooker if you prefer! Once you brown the ground turkey, just transfer it to your slow cooker, add the remaining ingredients, and stir until well combined.
Cook the chili on high for 3-4 hours and then serve!
Let’s Talk Toppings
One of the best parts of enjoying chili are the multitude of topping options that you have!
Of course you can keep it traditional and just go with a little shredded cheddar, or you can spice it up and try a few of these great topping options:
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Sliced jalapeno
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Green onion
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Avocado
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Cilantro
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Red onion
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Sour cream
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A squeeze of fresh lime juice
A Few More of Our Favorite Healthy Chili Recipes!
Print
Healthy White Bean Turkey Chili
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 small bell pepper, diced
- 1 – 15oz can white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 – 15oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 – 4oz can green chiles
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- ½ tablespoon dried oregano
- ½ tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ¾ cups beef broth
- Sliced green onion, for garnish
- Shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish
- Jalapeno, for garnish
Method
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add a tablespoon of avocado oil. Add the ground turkey to the pot and brown the meat, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Once the ground turkey is fully cooked through, add in the bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Give everything a good stir and let it cook for a few minutes until you notice the onion starting to become tender and translucent.
- Next, add the white beans, tomatoes, green chilis, spices, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and broth. Stir until everything is well combined and then bring the chili to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow the chili to simmer for 30-45 minutes.
- After the chili has simmered, give it a taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Spoon into bowls, serve with your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
