Can I make this chili in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Brown the turkey and sauté the vegetables on the stovetop first, then transfer everything to your slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Add the beans during the last hour of cooking.

Why add baking soda to chili?

The baking soda neutralizes the acidity in the tomatoes, creating a smoother, less tangy flavor profile. It's especially helpful for those who experience heartburn from acidic foods. You'll only need a small amount - the teaspoon called for in the recipe is perfect.

Can I use ground beef instead of turkey?

Yes! Ground beef makes a delicious substitute for turkey in this recipe. If using beef, you might want to drain some of the fat after browning before adding the spices. The cooking time remains the same.

My chili seems too thin. How can I thicken it?

If your chili is thinner than you'd like, there are several solutions: 1) Simmer uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes to reduce the liquid, 2) Add a tablespoon of tomato paste, or 3) Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir this slurry into the simmering chili.

Turkey Chili Recipe

Name: Turkey Chili Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon cooking oil; 2 green bell peppers; 1 large onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 pounds ground turkey; 2 tablespoons cumin; 3 tablespoons chili powder; 1 tablespoon onion powder; ½ tablespoon salt; 8 ounces tomato sauce; 30 ounces diced tomatoes; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained; 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained; 1 teaspoon baking soda; Green onions; Sour cream; Shredded cheese

Description

A hearty and flavorful turkey chili recipe that is perfect for a comforting dinner or meal-prep. Packed with lean protein, vegetables, and beans, this chili is easy to make and customizable with your favorite toppings. It’s a healthier take on a classic family favorite!

Ingredients

Units Scale

Vegetables and Base

1 tablespoon cooking oil
2 green bell peppers
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced

Meat and Spices

2 pounds ground turkey
2 tablespoons cumin
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon salt

Tomatoes and Beans

8 ounces tomato sauce
30 ounces diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Additions

1 teaspoon baking soda

Garnish (Optional)

Green onions
Sour cream
Shredded cheese

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Instructions

Saute Vegetables
Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced green bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
Cook Ground Turkey
Add the ground turkey to the pot. Break it into pieces and cook until just done, ensuring there’s no pink left.
Incorporate Spices
Sprinkle in the cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and salt. Stir the spices into the meat and cook for about 1 minute to toast the spices and enhance their flavor.
Add Tomato Base
Pour in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Stir in the brown sugar to balance the flavors. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add Beans
Mix in the rinsed and drained pinto beans and kidney beans. Stir well to combine them evenly with the chili mixture.
Neutralize Acidity
Add the baking soda to the pot. Stir until the bubbling caused by the soda disappears completely. This step helps reduce the acidity of the tomatoes.
Final Simmering
Allow the chili to simmer for an additional 10 minutes over low heat to meld all the flavors together.
Serve and Garnish
Serve the turkey chili warm. Top with green onions, sour cream, and shredded cheese if desired for extra flavor and creaminess.

Notes

Meal Prep Tip: Ground turkey can be cooked in advance in large batches and stored in the freezer to save time during meal prep.
Tomato Acidity Hack: The addition of baking soda helps neutralize the acidity of the tomatoes, balancing the flavors perfectly.
Adjust Thickness: If you feel your chili is too thick, simply add some broth (chicken or vegetable) to thin it out to your liking.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 260
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 24g
Cholesterol: 70mg