Description

This 30-Minute Leftover Turkey Chili is a quick, hearty, and flavorful meal perfect for using up leftover turkey. Packed with pinto and kidney beans, diced vegetables, and a blend of warming spices like cumin and chili powder, this chili simmers to perfection in just half an hour. Topped with your favorite chili garnishes such as sour cream, avocado, shredded cheese, and scallions, it’s a comforting dish ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Chili Base

2 Tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, small diced
1 green pepper, small diced
1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder

Beans & Tomatoes

2 (15-oz.) cans pinto beans in chili sauce
1 (15-oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
3 Tablespoons light brown sugar

Protein

4 cups chopped leftover turkey

Toppings

Chili toppings such as sour cream, avocado, shredded cheese, and sliced scallions

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Instructions

Prepare the vegetables and aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Once warm, add minced garlic, diced onions, and diced green pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
Caramelize the tomato paste: Add the tomato paste to the softened vegetables. Stir continuously and cook until the tomato paste caramelizes, approximately 2 minutes. This deepens the flavor base of your chili.
Add spices and beans: Mix in ground cumin and chili powder, then add the pinto beans with their chili sauce, kidney beans (rinsed and drained), crushed tomatoes, and light brown sugar. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly in the pot.
Incorporate turkey and simmer: Add the chopped leftover turkey to the chili mixture. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook gently, stirring occasionally, until everything is warmed through evenly, about 10 minutes.
Serve and garnish: Ladle the chili into bowls and top with your choice of sour cream, avocado slices, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced scallions for added creaminess and freshness.

Notes

This chili comes together in just 30 minutes, making it an excellent choice for a quick, satisfying meal.
Using leftover turkey makes this recipe perfect for post-holiday meals or anyone looking to reduce food waste.
Feel free to customize the toppings according to your preferences for a personalized touch.
For a spicier variation, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce during cooking.
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings, ideal for family meals or meal prepping.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 133 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 69 mg
Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 11 g
Cholesterol: 35 mg