Go Back
homemade turkey chili recipe

Turkey Chili

This turkey chili is rich and smoky, with earthy dried chiles, warm spices, and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar. Ground turkey and kidney beans make it hearty without feeling heavy.
Print Pin
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • ½  cup plus 2 Tbsp water divided
  • 2  tsp kosher salt or 1 tsp table salt
  • ½  tsp baking soda
  • 2  lb 93 percent lean ground turkey
  • 2  oz ~57 g dried ancho chiles, stemmed, seeded, torn into 1″ pieces
  • ½  oz ~14 g dried guajillo chiles, stemmed, seeded, torn into 1″ pieces
  • 3 6″ corn tortillas, torn into 1″ pieces
  • 1  Tbsp ground cumin
  • 1  Tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2  tsp garlic powder
  • 2  tsp dried oregano crushed
  • 1  tsp ground coriander
  • 1  tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼  cup neutral oil vegetable or canola
  • 3 medium yellow onions finely chopped (about 3 cups)
  • 1  Tbsp minced garlic
  • 1  Tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 15‑oz cans low‑sodium red kidney beans, undrained
  • 2  cups low‑sodium chicken broth
  • 1 14.5‑oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1  Tbsp packed brown sugar

Instructions

  • Toss turkey with water, salt, and baking soda; set aside.
  • Toast chiles in oil 2–6 min; process with tortillas and spices.
  • Sauté onions with salt 6–8 min; add garlic 30–60 sec, then tomato paste 1 min.
  • Cook turkey pieces 6–8 min; stir in chile blend 1 min.
  • Add beans, broth, tomatoes, sugar, and water; simmer 10 min.
  • Adjust seasoning and serve.