White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe - Filling and easy to make this naturally creamy chili is a must for soup season! It's a hearty, delicious version of your traditional chili. Packed with turkey, white beans and warm spices it's an easy meal that comes together quickly and tastes even better on day two!
Love this meal? Be sure and try my Homemade Chili Recipe next!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ Only a handful of ingredients.
✔️ It's easy to make - we love that!
✔️ This simple recipe tastes like it's simmered on the stove all day long!
Ingredients
Unlike the standard red chili, this has white beans, green chilies and yellow tomatoes.
- ground turkey - you can substitute with ground chicken.
- onion, yellow and green bell peppers, garlic, yellow grape tomatoes - loads of fresh vegetables go into this meal.
- canned white beans - you can use cannellini or white beans.
- canned green chilis - adds great flavor and spice.
- chicken stock - use low sodium stock.
- cumin, dry mustard, salt, black pepper - delicious spices perfectly flavor this chili.
- olive oil - to sauté the vegetables
Instructions
This is an overview, for detailed instructions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Peel and chop all of the vegetables.
- Place a large stockpot over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil the ground turkey. When browned, drain the fat, remove from the pan, set aside.
- Next, sauté the vegetables until they are browned and tender.
- Add the browned turkey back into the stockpot, add the minced garlic and sliced tomatoes and sauté for another couple minutes.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil, reduce to low and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes.
This chili uses a combination of flavorful spices to give you a refreshing taste on an old favorite. It's not spicy hot 🔥, but spicy flavorful! It's delicious and I know it's going to be hard to stop with just one bowl!
Equipment
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If you're like me, you're freezing a quart of soup or stew right? Click here for the plastic containers I use, they are inexpensive, freeze well and easy to clean!
FAQ's
You can use Great Northern Beans or Cannellini Beans, both will taste great! Cannellini beans are a little softer and creamier. Great Northern are more firm, so they will hold their shape a better. Both beans are great so it's more about what you have on hand.
Absolutely! It's a great shortcut and cuts the cooking time down by hours!
Optional Toppings
Dan enjoys his chili plain, I load mine up with all the fixings! Here are some of my favorites
- fresh sliced or canned jalapenos - to add a spicy flavor. Remove the seeds to cool the heat.
- sour cream and chunks of avocado - are a cool creamy topping.
- sliced radishes and minced cabbage - adds great crunch!
- cilantro - minced cilantro will add freshness to the soup.
- corn chips or tortilla chips - for crunch and texture.
- shredded Monterey Jack, Colby or cheddar cheese - use your favorite!
Serving suggestions
- This cheesy spicy skillet cornbread is wonderful served alongside this stew.
- I love a great salad and this Southwest Salad Recipe is full of crunch and flavor.
- Dinner rolls are also delicious. It's always great to have something to sop up all that goodness!
- A handful of chips with Black Bean Corn Avocado Salad would be a yummy addition too!
Related recipes
- Turkey Corn Chowder with Corn - this hearty chowder is a great way to use up leftover chicken or turkey. It's one terrific soup.
- Homemade Turkey Soup with Vegetables - loads of veggies with tons of flavor. This soup is so yummy!
- Turkey Pot Pie Recipe - this is a cozy recipe everyone loves!
- White Bean Turkey Stew - a hearty meal filled with beans, ground turkey and vegetables.
White Bean Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper seeds removed, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper seeds removed, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pint yellow grape tomatoes sliced in half
- 3 14 oz can white beans drained and rinsed
- 1 4 oz can chopped green chilis
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Peel and chop the onion, mince the garlic. Slice the tomatoes in half. Dice the green and yellow peppers.
- In a large stockpot over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and brown the ground turkey. When browned, remove from the heat and drain the fat. Set aside.
- Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Add the onion, yellow and green pepper and all of the spices. Sauté for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are browned and tender.
- Next put the browned turkey back into the stockpot. At this time also add the minced garlic and sliced tomatoes and saute for another two to three minutes.
- Add the remaining ingredients; green chilies, beans and chicken stock. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil, reduce to low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally for 45 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite toppings, enjoy!
Notes
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Nutrition
Recipe backstory
Earlier this week on Instagram I shared a couple of stories of Dan and I traipsing the neighborhood enjoying all of the holiday lights!
The air has been cool and crisp and we were both bundled up. Dan had his sock hat on, me with my earmuffs and mittens. It was a bone-chilling 51 degrees!
Yes, I embarrassingly admit that! I've lived in the valley long enough to acclimate to the weather!
BUT, whether you live in Cali or Green Bay, WI - right now is the perfect time for chili. Whether it's to switch up the flavors of heavy, rich holiday food or warm your soul, the timing is perfect.
I have been making this chili for years. I developed it when I lived in the Midwest, hot soups, stews and chilis were a must.
Tailgate Chili, Smokey Chipotle Chili and even a chili loaded with veggies, like my recipe for Butternut Squash Chili will give you the spice and flavor you're craving.
Beth says
Thank you for such a simple and delicious chili recipe! It is an immediate favorite at my house!
Debra Clark says
I have forgotten how good this is Beth, I need to make it again myself! It's so easy and good! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks so much for coming back to share. I appreciate your support of the blog.
Nikki says
A new family favorite! Love using turkey in chili! Perfect spices and flavors!
Lynn Charneski says
This was a very yummy dinner for me tonight. I'm moving away from eating mammals, so this was right up my alley.
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful!! I just love this Chili Lynn, I'm glad you do too - I'll keep that in mind when I'm working on new recipes!
debi at Life Currents says
This looks delicious! I love the addition of avocados to it as well! Yum!
Bowl Me Over says
Love an avocado diced on top, so yummy - thanks Debi!
Healing Tomato says
This looks so very delicious. White beans are a requirement in a good chili recipe!! Great photos and great recipe.
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you so much Rini, so many delish flavors here!!
Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets) says
This chili looks perfect for a cool night. Yummy!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks, it's super good - soup warms the soul!
Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry! says
Looks tummy-warming and delicious!
Bowl Me Over says
Oh yes, what a perfect description! Great for a blustery fall day!
christine says
I'm not sure that I've ever made chili the same twice. I'm always looking for new ways to make it. Thanks so much for sharing w/ us.
Bowl Me Over says
That's the great thing about Chili too - you never get tired of it because of all the variations! Thanks for stopping by Christine!
Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets) says
This looks perfect for a cold night. Delicious!
Bowl Me Over says
Yes, thanks Sandi!
Sandra Shaffer says
I LOVE chili, and get super excited to bring leftovers to work for my lunch! Tasty mild white beans..great recipe!
Bowl Me Over says
I agree, beans are perfect for lunch! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Jamie H says
I love all the variations! There's something for everyone here!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Jamie - It's always fun to have something different every day without all the work!
Healing Tomato says
I have used white beans in chili in the past but they it doesn't look as spectacular as your recipe. You are very talented
Bowl Me Over says
You know me Rini, always love a great bowl of soup! 🙂
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
You have won my heart, soul and belly! These all look amazing!!! Where's my spoon, forget it, where's my ladle?
Bowl Me Over says
Haha! Too kinda Michelle, thanks for stopping by!