Healthy Easy One-Pot Turkey Chili (Printable Version)

A hearty turkey chili with beans and vegetables, ready quickly in one pot for easy cooking.

# What You Need:

→ Meat

01 - 1 pound lean ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
06 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
07 - 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
08 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Beans

09 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
10 - 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Spices & Seasoning

11 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Optional Toppings

17 - Chopped fresh cilantro
18 - Sliced green onions
19 - Low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
20 - Greek yogurt or light sour cream
21 - Lime wedges

# Steps:

01 - Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
02 - Add diced onion, bell pepper, carrot, and garlic to the pot. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
04 - Add diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, chicken broth, black beans, and kidney beans. Stir thoroughly to combine all components.
05 - Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and vegetables become tender.
06 - Taste the chili and adjust seasonings as needed for flavor balance and heat level.
07 - Ladle chili into bowls and serve hot with desired toppings of choice.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in under an hour, which means you can have a from-scratch dinner on the table faster than most takeout arrives.
  • One pot means you spend more time enjoying the meal and less time scrubbing dishes afterward.
  • Packed with protein and fiber, this actually keeps you satisfied without that sluggish feeling.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rinsing step with canned beans—this single action prevents the chili from becoming starchy and thick in an unpleasant way.
  • Resist the urge to blast the heat high to speed things up; low and slow simmering lets flavors develop and vegetables become tender rather than mushy.
03 -
  • Add an extra jalapeño diced with the vegetables if you want heat that builds gradually rather than hits immediately.
  • A tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder stirred in at the end adds mysterious depth without making anything taste like chocolate.
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