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    Home » Recipes » Supper

    Easy and Healthy 30-minute Turkey and Pinto Bean Chili

    Published: Aug 29, 2021 by Gitta Grether-Sweeney · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This hearty Turkey and Pinto Bean Chili is made in about 30 minutes. It is healthy and packed with plenty of flavors. You can easily customize it to your family's tastes. Serve it with cornbread, tortilla chips, or saltine crackers.

    Turkey chili in a white bowl garnished with onions, avocado and jalapeno s

    Chili is one of my go-to meals in the fall and winter because it is easy and ready in 30 minutes. The ingredients are minimal, and I usually have all of them on hand in my kitchen. By far, chili is one of my family's favorite meals.

    To make it healthier, lean turkey replaces higher fat beef or pork, and the amount of oil used is minimal. You can feel good about serving the chili to your family.

    This hearty entree is loaded with flavor. You can adjust the spiciness by changing the amount of red pepper flakes you add to the chili.

    If you want a more smokey flavor, add 1 teaspoon of chipotle chili peppers.

    There is nothing better to warm you on a cold winter day than a bowl of turkey and pinto bean chili. During the fall and winter months, this chili will be a new staple in your dinner rotation.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this recipe
    • Ingredients for making Turkey Chili
    • How to make chili
    • Don't miss this tip
    • Common questions about making chili
    • The best Toppings for Turkey and Pinto Bean Chili
    • Storage Tips
    • Substitutions
    • Ideas for leftovers
    • What to serve with chili
    • 📋 Recipe
    • Related Posts
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you will love this recipe

    • Dinner is served in under 30 minutes.
    • The chili is made in one pot which makes clean-up faster.
    • It is customizable.
    • Made with pantry staples.
    • Freezer friendly-make a double batch
    • Since it is made with healthy ingredients, I feel good serving it to my family.

    Ingredients for making Turkey Chili

    Ingredient to make turkey chili, ground Trunkey, onions, pinto beans, chili powder, salt, cumin, paprika, oregano tomato sauce
    • Ground turkey-any ground turkey will work in this recipe. You can substitute ground beef, chicken or pork for all or part of the ground turkey.
    • Diced onions-add flavor to the chili. If you don't like onions, you can leave them out or use 1 teaspoon onion powder.
    • Pinto beans-add flavor, fiber and protein to the chili. If you do not like pinto beans you can substitute black beans.
    • Tomato sauce-adds flavor and color. If you do not have tomato sauce, substitute 1 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes.
    • Olive oil-used to cook the turkey and onions in. You can use any oil of your choice.
    • Chili Powder-add flavor and a bit of heat.
    • Cumin-adds a smokey flavor to the chili.
    • Paprika-provides flavor.
    • Oregano-seasoning.
    • Red pepper flakes-provides heat to the chili. Use more or less depending on how much spice you like. If you do not like any spice, leave it out.
    • Kosher salt

    How to make chili

    It takes only 30 minutes to make this protein-packed turkey and bean chili.

    • Turkey and onion cooking in pot
    • Turkey with mounds of spices on top, chili, salt, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika and cumin
    • Chili seasonings cooking in turkey meat in a pot
    • Chili cooking in a pot
    1. Start by cooking the ground turkey and diced onions in olive oil.
    2. Once the turkey is done, add the spices.
    3. Bloom the spices by cooking them for 30 seconds.
    4. Add the tomato sauce and water and simmer covered for 15 minutes.
    5. Add the beans and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
    Chili in a white bowl, topped with onion, avocado and sliced jalapeno

    That's it! Perfect chili in under 30 minutes! Enjoy!

    Don't miss this tip

    Be sure to cover the chili so that the water does not evaporate. If too much water evaporates, add enough water to get the consistency your liking.

    Common questions about making chili

    Can I use other types of meat in place of the ground turkey?

    Yes, ground beef, pork, or a combination can be used instead of ground turkey.

    Is turkey and pinto bean chili healthy?

    Yes, this chili recipe is healthy. It is high in protein and fiber, which help keep you feeling fuller longer.

    Is this chili recipe gluten-free?

    Yes, if you follow the recipe with the ingredients provided on the recipe card, it is gluten-free.

    Can I use turkey or chicken stock instead of water?

    Yes, the stock would provide additional flavor to the chili.

    Can I other beans instead of pinto beans?

    Yes, you can substitute any of your favorite beans. Black beans would be a great substitution.

    Can the chili be made ahead of time?

    Yes, turkey chili is a perfect make-ahead meal.

    The best Toppings for Turkey and Pinto Bean Chili

    The following toppings are perfect on chili. Try a combination of them to make this delicious entree to the next level!

    • Sour Cream or for a healthier option try Greek yogurt.
    • Shredded cheese. Good choices are Cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterrey Jack or for additional kick try Pepper Jack.
    • Diced white or yellow onions
    • Sliced green onions
    • Diced avocado
    • Sliced jalapeno
    • Minced cilantro
    • Crushed tortilla chips

    Storage Tips

    Store the chili covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    The chili can be frozen for up to 4 months.

    To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Heat in a pan on the stove or in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until the chili reaches 165°F,

    Substitutions

    Try any of the following substitutions to change or customize your chili.

    • Use your favorite canned beans in place of the pinto beans. Black beans, red kideny beans and chili beans are all deliscous.
    • If you don't have tomato sauce, substitute it with 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes.
    • Substitute 1 14.5-ounce can of diced fire-roasted or diced tomatoes and chilis for the tomato sauce.
    • Ground beef, chicken or pork can be substituted for part or all of the ground turkey.
    • For a meater chili, add 1 pound of ground turkey for the can of beans.
    • To make a vegetarian chili, substitute 2 14.5-ounce cans of your favorite beans for the ground turkey.
    • For added flavor substitute turkey or chicken broth for the water.
    • If the chili is not served to children, substitute beer for the water. It adds robust flavor to the chili.

    Ideas for leftovers

    Chilli makes great leftovers. Double the recipe and try some of the following:

    • Top baked potatoes with chili.
    • Drain the chili and serve the meat on tortillas chips and top the chili with cheese for loaded nachos.
    • Top Fritos with chili to make Frito pie.
    • Chili fries by topping French fries with leftover chili.
    • Hot dogs to make chili dogs
    • Combine leftover chili with red enchilada sauce and use the sauce on cheese enchiladas.

    What to serve with chili

    Cornbread goes great with turkey chili. It's my personal favorite. However, saltine crackers and tortilla chips are also delicious.

    When I don't want to make cornbread and don't have tortilla chips in the house, I like to eat baby carrots with chili. I love the crunch, and they actually taste great with it. Plus, they are healthy and have fewer calories than cornbread or chips!

    To round out the meal, serve a salad with chili. A Caesar Salad or mixed greens with a vinaigrette would make a nice addition and complete the meal.

    Click here to PIN for later.

    I hope you try this recipe! Please rate it and comment below. I love hearing from you! ❤️

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    📋 Recipe

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    Turkey chili in a white bowl garnished with onions, avocado and jalapeno s

    Easy and Healthy 30-minute Turkey and Pinto Bean Chili

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: Gitta
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 6 1x
    • Category: Entree
    • Method: Stove top
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This hearty Turkey and Pinto Bean Chili is prepared in less than 30 minutes. It is healthy and packed with plenty of flavors.  Make it for an easy and filling weeknight meal. 


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 pound ground turkey
    • ½ cup diced white or yellow onion
    • ¼ cup chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 
    • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, if you use table salt, only use ½ teaspoon)
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (use less if you do not like spice, use up to 1 teaspoon for a spicy chili)
    • 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
    • 1 14.5-ounce can pinto beans, drained

    Instructions

    1. Heat olive oil over high heat in a large, heavy pot.  Add the ground turkey and diced onions.  Cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are translucent.  
    2. Add the chili powder, dried oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes.  Stir to blend and cook 30 seconds.  
    3. Add the tomato sauce, 20 ounces (2 ½ cans) of water. Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  
    4. Add the pinto beans and cook for an additional 5 minutes.  
    5. Serve chili in bowls topped with any of your favorite toppings. See notes.

    Notes

    Suggested toppings for the chili

    • Sour Cream, or for a healthier option, try Greek yogurt.
    • Shredded cheese. Good choices are Cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterrey Jack, or for additional kick, try Pepper Jack.
    • Diced white or yellow onions
    • Sliced green onions
    • Diced avocado
    • Sliced jalapeno
    • Minced cilantro
    • Crushed tortilla chips

    *  Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 cup
    • Calories: 231
    • Sugar: 2.1 g
    • Sodium: 527.2 mg
    • Fat: 10.8 g
    • Carbohydrates: 15 g
    • Protein: 19.7 g
    • Cholesterol: 52.2 mg

    Keywords: Turkey, chili, turkey chili and pinto beans, healthy

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @gittas_kitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #gittas_kitchen

    There are links to Amazon for equipment that I use to make this recipe for your convenience. If you purchase the equipment, I'll receive a small commission. For more information, please read my policy.

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    1. Annie Jones

      October 25, 2021 at 4:29 pm

      This was a great recipe and so easy.
      I doubled the recipe so we could have it on Thursday (Hubby made Fritos pie).
      We had it for lunch on Saturday while watching football and tonight I added some cheese and made enchiladas.
      I am hoping to have a few left for lunch tomorrow.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Gitta

        October 26, 2021 at 4:47 pm

        Hi Annie!
        I am glad this recipe was a hit! Thanks for giving it a try and for letting me know!
        ~Gitta

        Reply

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