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Mild Turkey Chili

A hearty but lighter chili made with lean ground turkey, tomatoes, kidney beans, and warm spices. It simmers until thick and is served hot with optional toppings such as cheese, sour cream, green onions, or tortilla strips.

Cook: 45 min
Total: 1 hr
Yield: 8 servings
Published: October 11, 2026
Mild Turkey Chili

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Ingredients

  • extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon
  • ground turkey 2 pounds
  • white onion 0.75 cups
  • garlic clove 2 teaspoons
  • canned tomatoes 28 ounces
  • marinara sauce 24 ounces
  • chicken stock 1.5 cups
  • chili powder 2 tablespoons
  • ground cumin 2 teaspoons
  • sweet smoked paprika powder 2 teaspoons
  • cocoa powder 2 teaspoons
  • sugar 1 teaspoon
  • salt 1.5 teaspoons
  • ground black pepper 0.75 teaspoons
  • red kidney beans 30 ounces
  • yellow cheese 1 to taste
  • sour cream 1 to taste
  • white part of green onion 1 to taste
  • corn tortilla 1 to taste

Tools

  • large pot
  • spoon

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey, season with part of the salt and pepper, and cook while breaking up the meat with a spoon until it starts to brown.
  2. Add the onion and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
  3. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cocoa powder, sugar, and the remaining measured salt and pepper. Stir and bring to a simmer.
  4. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens.
  5. Add the kidney beans and continue cooking until heated through.
  6. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately with shredded cheese, sour cream, green onion, and tortilla strips if using.

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