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Hearty Ground Turkey Chili with Black Beans (Easy 30-Minute Recipe)

hearty ground turkey chili with black beans - featured image

A quick and easy one-pot ground turkey chili with black beans that comes together in under 30 minutes. This hearty, flavorful chili is perfect for busy weeknights and gets even better the next day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1½ cups)
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, undrained
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese, for serving (optional)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt, for serving (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped, for serving (optional)
  • Green onions, sliced, for serving (optional)
  • Lime wedges, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Add the ground turkey and break it apart with a spoon. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink and browned.
  3. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño (if using). Cook for 4 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables soften and the onion is translucent.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic and all the spices (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the undrained black beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Stir to combine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  6. Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
  7. Check for doneness: the chili should coat the back of a spoon. If too thin, simmer 5 more minutes; if too thick, add a splash of broth or water.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with more chili powder, cayenne, or a pinch of sugar if needed.
  9. Remove from heat and let the chili rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with desired toppings.

Notes

Don’t drain the beans—the starchy liquid thickens the chili naturally. Brown the turkey properly by letting it sit undisturbed for a minute before breaking it apart. Toast the spices in oil for deeper flavor. Let the chili rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and texture to thicken.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground turkey chili, black bean chili, easy chili, 30-minute chili, one-pot chili, healthy chili, weeknight dinner