Clean Eating Turkey Chili Recipe (2024)

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posted by Crissy Pageon Oct 15, 2016 (updated Feb 21, 2024) 45 comments »

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I love healthy, clean eating recipes and I wanted to share one of my favorite quick clean eating meal ideas—this clean eating turkey chili recipe that you can make in your slow cooker!

Clean Eating Turkey Chili Recipe (1)

Clean Eating Turkey Chili Recipe

I love using ground turkey in my chili because it contains less fat than ground beef but still gives carnivores a satisfying meal option. That said, you can always skip the meat and add extra beans!

Clean Eating Turkey Chili Recipe (2)

I’ve tried so many different varieties of chili in my life. The thing I love about chili is how completely customizable it is. My clean eating turkey chili recipe is perfect for my family, but feel free to go wild and make it your own by adding or subtracting your favorite ingredients.

Clean Eating Turkey Chili Recipe (3)

Whether you subscribe to a clean eating lifestyle or you just appreciate a delicious bowl of chili, you’re going to love this recipe. It is absolutely yummy on its own, but if you wan to send it over the top while still keeping it clean, you can add some diced avocado to the top.

It’s a great way to add some creaminess and an extra blast of nutrition.

Speaking of nutrition, you’re also going to want to bookmark or pin my amazing easy vegan chili recipe. If you’ve ever thought about incorporating more plant-based meals into your weekly routine, it’s a great recipe to start with.

Clean Eating Turkey Chili Recipe (4)

Of course, certain members of my family won’t eat a bowl of chili unless it’s smothered in cheese and sour cream. That’s an option, too! :)

Clean Eating Turkey Chili Recipe (5)

I hope you love my scrumptious clean eating turkey chili recipe. Be sure to let me know how it turned out for you in the comments below.

More Yummy Recipes

  • Clean Eating Marinara Sauce
  • Ground Chicken Chili
Clean Eating Turkey Chili Recipe (6)

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. 99% fat free ground turkey breast
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 6 oz. can tomato paste
  • 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 2 15 oz. cans black beans, rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin

Instructions

  1. Add olive oil, onion and garlic to a large skillet and saute 3 to 4 minutes until slightly tender. Add ground turkey and cook until done, crumbly and brown. It should not be necessary to drain.
  2. Add the meat mixture to the crockpot. Add the remaining ingredients starting with the water. Stir until blended.
  3. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or 6 to 8 hours on low.

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originally published on Oct 15, 2016 (last updated Feb 21, 2024)

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45 comments on “Clean Eating Turkey Chili Recipe”

  1. Amie Reply

    This is such a tasty chili recipe. It is my go to for a crock pot chili! I used this recipe with venison instead of turkey and it was delicious!

    Rating: 5

    • Crissy Page Reply

      Yay, I’m glad you love it! It’s funny, I was just telling my husband that if he hunted more often I could probably benefit from creating some venison recipes for my blog! :)

  2. Samantha C Reply

    Is this freezable?

  3. Kristin Reply

    Love this chili it something I can eat days in a row and not get tired of it.

  4. Courtney Reply

    Can I make this stovetop instead of crockpot?

  5. Stacee M Banko Reply

    I am tracking calories for a health condition. Can someone provide the serving size and calories per serving? Thanks!

    • Darlene Reply

      Yes I do all the time!

  6. Josee Soucy Reply

    Hello, just so you know this is my favorite recipe for chili, always. My question is, how many servings and calories per serving?

    Thank you in advance
    JOSEE

    • Lauren Reply

      I made it with 1.75 lbs Turkey (package from Costco) minus the corn and with 6 servings my fitness pal came out to 413 calories 47g carbs 9.5g fat and 37g protein. This may vary slightly on ingredients used.

  7. Noelle Reply

    Hello,

    I would like to make this next week but we’re a family of 2 and my husband doesn’t eat chili. Can I cut this recipe in half? Do I need to adjust cooking times by much?

    Thanks!

  8. Dana Reply

    Are there updated cooking instructions to make this recipe in the instant pot?

  9. Mary Regini Reply

    Saw this recipe today and made it for dinner tonight. YUMMY, YUMMY,YUMMY‼️?? I have to tell you I was a little hesitant to use cumin. Would not change a thing. The flavor of this chili was fabulous‼️ 5 stars for me?? Looking forward to trying more of your dishes?

    Rating: 5

  10. Crystal Reply

    I made this delicious chili for meal prep this week!!!! I can’t find the nutritional valies. Please advise.

    Rating: 5

    • Jean-Marie Carroll Reply

      Did you ever find out the nutritional value?

  11. Kathy Harris Reply

    Love it!!! Delish??. What is serving size and calorie count?

  12. Joanie Reply

    should I reduce water amount if I plan to add beans after crockpot cooking and eliminate the corn all together?

  13. Nolan Reply

    I added 8 jalapenos. 2 habs turned out great!

    Rating: 4

  14. Tara Reply

    Made this and trust I am not a cook – easy and very tasty – added some hot sauce :) Thank you for sharing!

    Rating: 5

  15. Sharyce Reply

    I made this and we have 6 people in our family and there were left overs for all 6 of us again! It’s so yummy. I cooked on stovetop on medium for about an hour and used extra can of black beans.

    Rating: 5

  16. Whitney Reply

    Did we find or how many this serves? Can’t seem to find an answer.

    • Rosemary Smaglick Reply

      Same question. How many servings is this recipe?

    • Marc Reply

      How would this cook on the instant pot? How long?

      • Gigi

        Same as a slow cooker. Hit the slow cook feature and adjust time. You would sauté the meat first to brown and the veggies, etc.

  17. Sharyce Reply

    Can I cook this faster on the stovetop??

  18. jen Reply

    hi! instead of using tomato paste, can I used red sauce?

    • Crissy Reply

      Should be fine, maybe not as thick, but the flavor will be good. :)

  19. Melissa Reply

    I made this recipe, wow it was so amazing!! My whole family loved it!! Can you tell me the nutrition facts?

    Rating: 5

  20. Amanda Reply

    How many servings is this?

  21. Sandra Ramos Reply

    Made this for my husband and I and had enough to take some to a home bound neighbor. Big Hit!

    Rating: 4

  22. Scooby Reply

    Making this today Thank You!!

  23. Alex Reply

    Do u have to cook the turkey first or can u just throw it all in the crock pot?

    • Crissy Reply

      You need to cook it first, per the instructions! :)

  24. Gabby Reply

    Would it make a huge difference if I used canned corn instead of frozen corn?

    • Crissy Page Reply

      not at all!

  25. Rexanne Reply

    I would also like to know how many this serves…..?

  26. Rebecca Baron Reply

    This recipe looks really good because I love ground turkey. I forget about using it, but I always like it when I use it because it’s has a light flavor . I definitely need to try this recipe!

  27. Jana Reply

    I’m making this for meal prep for the week & for dinner. Can you tell me the serving size please? Thank you

  28. Jessica Reply

    I made this tonight and with some modifications, it was the best chili! I halved the recipe, except for the corn and the spices. I used an entire can of corn and doubled the spices. I cooked it on the stove top due to time and it was so, so good! Will make again.

  29. Jess Reply

    I made this for dinner and it was awesome. I only had a pound of turkey so I halved it and it still made about 3 servings. I added fresh cut avocado and it was delicious! Thanks!!

  30. Ashley Reply

    How many does this serve?

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  33. Jennifer Reply

    Hello, can you tell me how many servings this makes?
    Thanks!

  34. Janelle Carlson Reply

    DearChrissy,
    I made your chili on Saturday and it turned out great! It didn’t look quite as pretty as yours but it sure tasted fantastic.???? I’m usually not a big chili fan but my hubby is, so I thought he’d like it (and he did!) To my surprise I loved it – so much lighter than traditional!!????
    Thx for the awesome recipe!

Leave a comment »

Clean Eating Turkey Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What to add to chili to make it healthy? ›

"By adding extra veggies you'll increase nutrients, fiber, and satisfaction," the twins say. "Bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, crushed tomatoes, onions, and carrots are all great choices."

Is turkey chili healthier than beef chili? ›

Turkey chili is much lighter and lower in calories. Most recipes call for ground turkey, which doesn't have nearly the fat content of beef. The turkey meat you'll find at the grocery store contains 15%, 7%, or even no fat.

What gives chili the best flavor? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What is the key to good chili? ›

The ultimate chili should:
  • Have a rich, complex chile flavor that combines sweet, bitter, hot, fresh, and fruity elements in balance.
  • Have a robust, meaty, beefy flavor.
  • Assuming that it contains beans, have beans that are tender, creamy, and intact.
  • Be bound together by a thick, deep-red sauce.

Why is vinegar good in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Is homemade chili healthy for weight loss? ›

While not considered to be a low-fat meal, chili is relatively low in calories and provides a great serving of protein, thanks to the meat and beans it contains. A serving of chili is also low in carbs, sugar, and sodium.

Can I eat ground turkey every day? ›

Protein is a macronutrient, which means that your body needs a lot of it. Your body can't store protein, so you need to consume it every day. As long as you don't eat too much turkey, it is a healthy way to get the protein you need. It's also a good source of beneficial vitamins and minerals like magnesium and niacin.

Does chilli burn belly fat? ›

Research shows that eating chili peppers may boost your metabolism and reduce swelling. This could help you lose weight, including burning belly fat. While eating chili peppers alone is unlikely to make a huge difference, it could help in combination with exercise and eating a healthy diet.

What is the secret ingredient in chili? ›

A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long. For maximum flavor, reduce the coffee along with a blend of tomato paste, aromatic veggies and spices like we do in our Spicy Vegetarian Chili.

How to deepen chili flavor? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

How do you get the depth of Flavour in chili? ›

Here are some of the most common (and most effective) flavor boosters to add to your chili recipe.
  1. Booze (Beer, Wine, or Liquor) ...
  2. Liquid Smoke. ...
  3. Brine or Vinegar. ...
  4. Soy Sauce. ...
  5. Fish Sauce. ...
  6. Worcestershire Sauce. ...
  7. Coffee or Espresso Powder. ...
  8. Chocolate.
Aug 23, 2021

How do you make chili a deeper flavor? ›

Coffee. A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long.

How do you darken chili flavor? ›

Drop in some chocolate.

We're all about adding some cocoa to your chili, especially in the early stages of cooking when you're blooming your spices, but I like to drop a few pieces of dark chocolate into the pot too.

What can I add to a can of chili to make it taste better? ›

"Adding fresh ingredients — like diced onions, cilantro, and jalapenos — will take any canned chili to another level," Dunleavy said. "The fresh burst of flavor will brighten and elevate the chili while also adding great texture and crunch."

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