A quick and healthy turkey chili recipe that is hearty, simple, and delicious. Easily made on the stove top, in the instant-pot, or the slow cooker.
This Whole 30 and Paleo turkey Chili is on regular rotation in our home and my family’s favorite chili recipe. We make it at least twice a month and my picky eaters devour it. Although this is not a traditional chili, it is incredibly easy to make and has tons of flavor. It is made with minimal ingredients such as lean ground turkey, onions, bell peppers, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and pantry spices. It is a beanless chili but should you like to add beans, it is easily done with with a can of red kidney beans. My favorite way to make it a complete meal is to serve it on top of baked potatoes, cauliflower rice, or on its own with various toppings such as green onions, avocado slices, and fresh cilantro. This Whole 30 compliant Turkey Chili is the best busy weeknight meal and it tastes even better the next day. I always make a double batch and freeze some of it for the busiest of days.
Simple ingredients to make Whole 30 Simple Turkey Chili
- extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- chopped onion
- bell pepper
- poblano pepper
- garlic
- ground turkey
- chili powder
- cumin
- oregano
- smoked paprika
- crushed tomatoes
- fire roasted diced tomatoes
- tomato sauce
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other ground meat in this chili?
Yes! I’ve made it with ground chicken and ground beef and it comes out great!
Can I add beans?
Absolutely! If you are not doing a Whole 30 you can add 1 can of drained kidney beans after you add the tomatoes!
Can I add other vegetables?
Of course! Cubed sweet potatoes, red bell pepper to replace the green bell pepper, and even diced carrots will make this a heartier chili.
Whole 30 Simple Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 poblano or pasilla pepper, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 lbs ground turkey
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- 1 Tbsp oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can fire roasted, diced tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
Instructions
Stove-Top Method
- Heat a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add in olive oil, onions and peppers. Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add in the ground turkey and cook while breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula until no longer pink.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and salt. Add in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Pressure Cooker or Instant-Pot Method
- Press Saute button on the Instant-Pot and give it a couple of minutes to heat up. Add oil to pot, onions and peppers. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until vegetables are soft. Add garlic and continuee to cook for one more minute.
- Add in ground turkey and cook while breaking it up with wooden spoon or spatuala until meat is no longer pink. Add in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and salt.
- Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir everything well. Cover, lock the lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. When it is done cooking release the pressure. Uncover and add more salt if necessary. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy.
Slow-Cooker Method
- Heat a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add in olive oil, onions and peppers. Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add in the ground turkey and cook while breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula until no longer pink.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and salt. Add in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce.
- Add all ingredients to slow cooker. Cover and cook on slow for 4-6 hours.
