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Healthy Turkey White Bean Chili

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A light, bright, and deeply satisfying chili made with lean ground turkey, creamy white beans, and a subtly smoky broth. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground turkey (93% lean recommended)
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • 2 cans (14.5 oz / 411g each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 cans (15 oz / 425g each) cannellini or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups (480ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp (14g) chili powder
  • 1 tbsp (7g) ground cumin
  • 1 tsp (3g) smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp (2g) dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
  • 1 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper (plus more to taste)
  • Optional toppings: fresh cilantro, diced avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, sliced green onions, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: dice the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño; mince the garlic; drain and rinse the white beans; open the cans of diced tomatoes.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms, then continue cooking until fully browned, about 6-8 minutes total.
  3. Remove the turkey from the pot with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave about 1 tablespoon of rendered fat in the pot; pour off any excess.
  4. Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the onion is translucent and the pepper has softened. Add a splash of broth or water if the pot looks dry.
  5. Add the minced garlic and jalapeño and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Bloom the spices: add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant and slightly darkened.
  7. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices. Use the wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  8. Return the cooked turkey to the pot, along with the drained white beans and the broth. Stir to combine.
  9. Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid slightly ajar and simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, cayenne, or a squeeze of lime juice as desired.
  11. Let the chili rest off the heat for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Notes

For a creamier texture, mash half of the white beans before adding them to the chili. This chili tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. To make it vegetarian, substitute the turkey with two cans of black beans or a plant-based ground meat alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: healthy turkey chili, white bean chili, turkey white bean chili, healthy chili recipe, easy chili, meal prep chili

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/healthy-turkey-white-bean-chili/