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Ground Turkey Chili

Ground Turkey Chili

  • Author: Michael
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Ground Turkey Chili is a comforting, flavorful, and wholesome meal perfect for chilly evenings. Combining lean ground turkey, smoky turkey bacon, vibrant vegetables, and bold spices, this one-pot dish delivers warmth and rich taste in under an hour. Easily customizable for spice level and texture, it is ideal for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins and Meats

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 4 slices turkey bacon, diced

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped

Canned and Legumes

  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Flavors and Spices

  • 2 teaspoons chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Salt, to taste

Optional Natural Thickeners

  • 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent dissolved in water (optional, for thicker chili)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop onions and bell peppers, mince garlic finely, and dice turkey bacon into small pieces for even cooking.
  2. Cook Turkey Bacon and Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot over medium heat, cook the diced turkey bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot. Add onions, garlic, and bell peppers to the pot and cook until softened and fragrant.
  3. Brown the Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the pot. Break apart with a wooden spoon and cook until browned and no longer pink, allowing it to absorb the bacon flavors.
  4. Add Spices and Liquids: Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, and salt. Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), and apple cider vinegar. Mix well.
  5. Simmer and Develop Flavor: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Let simmer for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors and thicken the chili.
  6. Finish with Turkey Bacon and Taste: Stir the cooked turkey bacon back into the chili. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Optionally, add the natural gelling agent dissolved in water to thicken further before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh chili powder and cumin for more vibrant flavor.
  • Ensure you brown the turkey bacon and ground turkey well to build flavor.
  • Simmer the chili low and slow to develop rich texture and depth.
  • Apple cider vinegar balances the acidity and complements the spices, do not omit.
  • Use natural gelling agent cautiously to avoid over-thickening and maintain a hearty consistency.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 550mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 7g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: ground turkey chili, turkey chili, easy chili recipe, smoky chili, one-pot chili, gluten free chili, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://classicrecipehub.com/ground-turkey-chili/