Turkey Chili Black Beans Tomatoes (Printable)

A hearty, flavorful dish featuring lean ground turkey, black beans, and tomatoes, ideal for a comforting meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 1 pound lean ground turkey

→ Produce

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)

→ Canned Goods

06 - 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
07 - 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

→ Spices and Seasonings

09 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Liquids

16 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Optional Garnishes

17 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Sliced green onions
19 - Diced avocado
20 - Shredded cheese or sour cream

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat over medium flame. Add the ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until it is thoroughly browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
02 - Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, minced garlic, and the finely chopped jalapeño (if using) to the pot. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables have softened.
03 - Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices become fragrant.
04 - Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, black beans, and chicken broth. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
05 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Allow the chili to simmer uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired thickness and the flavors have fully melded.
06 - Taste the chili and adjust the seasonings as necessary to suit your preference.
07 - Serve the chili hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, diced avocado, or shredded cheese/sour cream, as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • This chili feels like a big, warm hug but won't weigh you down, making it perfect for any day of the week.
  • It's incredibly versatile, so you can easily adapt it to whatever ingredients you have on hand or your family's preferences.
02 -
  • The longer this chili simmers (within reason), the deeper and more complex its flavors become, so don't rush that final stage.
  • Always drain and rinse your canned beans thoroughly; it significantly improves the texture and reduces excess sodium.
03 -
  • For an even richer flavor profile, toast your dried spices in the pot for about 30 seconds before adding liquids — just be careful not to burn them.
  • If you find your chili is too thin, simply continue to simmer it uncovered, allowing more liquid to evaporate until it reaches your desired consistency.