A tasty and creamy White Bean Turkey Chili recipe that doesn’t use tomatoes. It’s made with ground turkey, aromatics, and spices, not tomatoes.
Chili is a hearty, comforting dish that is perfect for chilly weather. While traditional chili often contains beef and beans, turkey white bean chili is a healthier, lighter alternative that is packed with flavor. In this article, we will explore why turkey white bean chili is so tasty and good for you, provide tips for making it, and share some delicious recipes.
Why Make Turkey White Bean Chili?
There are several reasons why turkey white bean chili makes for an excellent chili choice
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Lower in fat and calories: Ground turkey is a leaner alternative to ground beef, making this chili lower in saturated fat and calories. This allows you to enjoy a hearty bowl without overdoing it on fat and calories.
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High in protein Ground turkey provides plenty of protein as do the beans. One bowl gives you a good dose of this important nutrient to help you feel satisfied.
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Packed with fiber The white beans add lots of fiber, which is great for digestive and heart health. The fiber also helps keep you feeling full
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Bold, complex flavor: Despite the lighter ingredients, turkey white bean chili can still be rich, hearty and full of spicy chili flavor when made right. The spices, herbs and chili peppers give it tons of flavor.
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Quick and easy: Compared to chili that simmers for hours, turkey white bean chili comes together quickly. You can have dinner on the table fast with this Instant Pot or stovetop recipe.
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Makes great leftovers: A pot of chili tastes even better the next day. Turkey white bean chili reheats beautifully for quick lunches or dinners later in the week.
Tips for Making Turkey White Bean Chili
Follow these tips to make flavorful turkey white bean chili every time:
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Brown the turkey: Be sure to brown the ground turkey before adding other ingredients. This builds flavor. Cook until no pink remains.
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Sauté the aromatics: Cooking the onions, garlic and chili peppers briefly before adding the turkey gives them time to soften and sweeten, boosting flavor.
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Use chili powder and cumin: This combination builds the classic chili taste. Add chili powder and cumin early on so they have time to bloom.
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Simmer it: Letting the chili simmer allows the flavors to develop fully. 20-30 minutes of simmering leads to the best results.
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Add broth: Chicken or vegetable broth adds moisture and savory flavor. Use low-sodium broth and season to taste.
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Go easy on salt: Between the broth and beans, turkey white bean chili already has a good amount of sodium. Taste and adjust seasoning carefully.
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Finish with lime: A squeeze of bright, acidic lime juice before serving helps lift all the flavors. This flavor pop makes a difference.
Satisfying Turkey White Bean Chili Recipes to Try
Ready to whip up a pot of hearty, healthy turkey white bean chili? Give these tasty recipes a try!
White Turkey Chili with Cannellini Beans
This classic version uses oregano, cumin and garlic for big flavor. Melting pepper jack cheese on top takes it over the top.
Instant Pot Turkey White Bean Chili
With quick-cooking Instant Pot pressure cooking, this chili is ready fast. Great northern beans and green chiles keep it nice and hearty.
Slow Cooker Turkey White Bean Chili
Let your slow cooker do the work! This is the perfect set-it-and-forget it turkey white bean chili.
Creamy White Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili
Sweet potatoes lend natural creaminess and sweetness to this unique spin on turkey chili.
Turkey Pumpkin White Bean Chili
Pumpkin gives delicious autumn flair to turkey white bean chili. Hints of cinnamon and nutmeg add comforting warmth.
Skinny Turkey White Bean Chili
Lighten up with 99% lean ground turkey and add zing with diced green chilies in this slimmed-down version.
Turkey White Bean Chili with Kale
Protein-packed kale adds nutrition to this hearty chili. The kale wilts down nicely to blend right in.
Roasted Green Chile Turkey White Bean Chili
Fire-roasted diced green chiles infuse this turkey chili with addictive smoky flavor.
White Turkey Chili with Hominy
Crunchy hominy and earthy cumin make this chili unique. Rotisserie chicken streamlines it on busy nights.
Easy Crockpot Turkey White Bean Chili
It doesn’t get easier than this – toss everything in the slow cooker and come home to chili ready for toppings.
Satisfying and Nutritious
As you can see, turkey white bean chili makes for a tasty, lighter chili option that comes together quickly. The lean turkey, fiber-filled beans and bold spices create a chili that nourishes your body as much as it satisfies your cravings. Whip up a batch soon – this is one chili you’re sure to make again and again!
How To Freeze and Reheat Chili:
Let the chili cool then transfer to a freezer safe container. To reheat, transfer the the refrigerator the night before the thaw, then reheat on the stove or microwave.
White Bean Turkey Chili
This easy chili can be made on the stove, slow cooker or Instant Pot. You might also like Jalapeno Popper Chicken Chili, Quick Beef Chili, and No Bean Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili. All of these make great lunch the next day!
This recipe came from my friend Debbie. I’ve changed it a few times over the years. I remember asking her if she forgot to tell me about the tomatoes. Nope, no tomatoes in this chili, which I remember blew my mind. Nowadays it’s quite common to see a white chili recipe, so I’m sure you won’t be surprised. This makes a lot, you can make a batch for dinner and freeze the leftovers for another night. Toppings, are optional, you can top it with anything you like on your chili. Here’s a few suggestions:
- Crushed Chips
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
- Cilantro or scallions
- Chopped Scallions or Red Onions
- Diced Avocado
- Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack Cheese, or Cheddar Cheese
- The taste of 2093% lean ground turkey is better for me, but you can make this even lighter with 99% lean, which will lower the WW percent points.
- You can leave out the sour cream to make this dairy-free.
- Swap the ground turkey for ground chicken if you prefer.
- If you cook yogurt, it will separate. If you like yogurt, just add it as a topping.
White Bean Turkey Chili
How do you make a white bean Turkey chili?
A delicious, creamy White Bean Turkey Chili recipe made with canned white beans, ground turkey, aromatics and spices – no tomatoes! Heat a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium flame. When hot, spray with oil. Add onions and garlic, saute until soft, about 4 to 5 minutes.
What is white bean Turkey chili?
This wintry and warming White Bean Turkey Chili is thick, comforting and as spicy as you like. With ample lean ground turkey and creamy cannellini beans, it’s a lightened up version of your average chili recipe without sacrificing a bit of flavor. Want to save this recipe? Enter your email for this recipe and weekly cooking inspiration!
Can you make white bean Turkey chili without tomatoes?
A delicious, creamy White Bean Turkey Chili recipe made with canned white beans, ground turkey, aromatics and spices – no tomatoes! This easy chili can be made on the stove, slow cooker or Instant Pot. Leftovers taste even better the next day for lunch!
Is turkey white bean chili healthy?
This turkey white bean chili recipe is hearty, healthy, simple to make, and packed with flavor. This recipe is pretty straightforward. It does need a bit of time to simmer, but most of that is largely hands-off, so this is a nice easy meal that’s perfect for weeknights. It also makes plenty of leftovers, so it’s a good option for meal prep as well.
What goes well with white turkey chili?
This white turkey chili with beans and green chiles is seasoned perfectly with garlic, cumin, oregano, and cinnamon for a hearty, flavor-packed meal.
Can you put ground turkey on chili?
Toppings, are optional, you can top it with anything you like on your chili. Here’s a few suggestions: I prefer the taste of 93% lean ground turkey, but you can further lighten this with 99% lean, which will lower the WW points. To make this dairy free you can leave the sour cream out. Swap the ground turkey for ground chicken if you prefer.