Turkey Chili with Vegetables

Whether it is a cold winter day or the middle of the summer, this veggie-loaded Turkey Chili is the perfect dinner!

Before I knew how to cook, chili was a dish I could manage to make with little or no recipe. Over the years, I tinkered around each time I made it and recently, I took the time to write down the version I landed on.

I have no doubt you will absolutely love it!

Why You’ll Love My Turkey Chili with Vegetables

Chili doesn’t have to be an absolute gut bomb. My turkey and vegetable chili is hearty, packed with nutrients, and doesn’t make you feel like you can’t move.

• Easy to Make – The list of ingredients may seem long, but it is essentially a dump-and-stir recipe that is ready in about an hour!
• Great Leftovers – This chili makes a good-sized batch (unless you are feeding a football team) and the leftovers are great for workday meals or for freezing.
• One Pot – I think we can all appreciate the lack of dishes that come with a one-pot meal.

What is Turkey Chili with Vegetables?

Think of my chili as a hearty tomato-based chili featuring ground turkey, bell peppers, zucchini, onion, garlic, jalapeno, three kinds of beans, and a whole host of spices.

It is a fan favorite because of the toppings bar. By serving it with a bevy of delicious toppings, everyone at the table can make it just how they like it.

Ingredients

The list may seem a little long, but you will quickly see how easily it comes together. Recruit the family to help cut down on prep time!

• Olive Oil – A nice neutral oil to get your ingredients cooking. Any neutral oil – think canola or vegetable are great and olive oil works too.
• Ground Turkey – Light meat or dark meat work wonderfully. Choose your favorite.
• Green Bell Peppers – Crisp, vegetal, and slightly grassy in flavor. Did you know that this is the unripened fruit from this plant?
• Yellow Bell Peppers – Crispy and sweet, these are the mature fruit of the bell pepper plant.
• Red Bell Peppers – This type of bell pepper has spent the most time on the vine before they are picked and are the most nutrient-dense of the three. They are mild and sweet in flavor.
• Yellow Onion – These have a high sulfur content and tend to bring the most pungency in the onion world. Perfect for chili!
• Zucchini – These hold a lot of water naturally so don’t be surprised if the veggie mix gets a little watery as it begins to release it. It will evaporate as it cooks!
• Garlic – I LOVE garlic and its flavor here really mellows and sweetens as the chili cooks.
• Jalapeno – No two jalapenos have the same amount of heat. Give your raw jalapeno a taste before adding it to see where it is on the spicy scale.
• Whole Peeled Tomatoes – Come whole but will break down as they cook. If your can has a basil leaf in it, go ahead and discard that.
• Diced Tomatoes – I like using two types of tomatoes because some completely break down and thicken the sauce while others give you a great bite.

• Chicken Broth – Why use water when you can add flavor with chicken broth?!
• Dried Oregano – Will infuse the chili as it cooks with an earthy and slightly bitter flavor.
• Chili Powder – Contrary to popular belief, chili powder is a mix of different spices. Try different brands to find your favorite as they will all have different ratios and flavors.
• Ground Cumin – Made from ground cumin seeds it lends a warmth and citrusy note.
• Ancho Chile Powder – Gives great color, some subtle sweet heat, and a depth of flavor that is amazing for chili.
• Cayenne – If you want to crank the heat, here is where to do it.
• Bay Leaves – Often forgotten, but so important when cooking soups and stews. One or two of these in a long cooking dish help to keep it from being too heavy by adding hints of earthiness and black pepper. Always remove them before serving and eating!
• Canned Beans – I love the trifecta of kidney, black, and cannellini beans for color and texture, but use any three (or any one kind) that you love here. Drain and rinse well.
• Coarse Kosher Salt – The large grains of this salt help to enhance flavors in your dishes instead of making a dish salty.
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper – Can’t say it enough – a peppermill and whole black peppercorns are a great investment in your cooking. Pre-ground pepper is often stale and lacks the, well, pepperiness, you are looking for.

How to Make Turkey Chili with Vegetables

This chili is fantastic because you spend a little time prepping and cooking, but the majority of the time is allowing the flavors to cook and meld on their own.

1. Cook the turkey. Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven if you have one. The even heat is great for the long cook time and preventing things from burning. Cook the turkey until it is in little bits, cooked through, and lightly browned.
2. Sweat the vegetables and spices. This step is a dump and stir. The goal is to get most of the water out of the vegetables and allow them to soften. It is called “sweating” the vegetables. Adding the spices at this stage gives them a chance to start sharing their flavors early on.
3. Add the tomatoes and liquids. Use your spoon to break up the whole peeled tomatoes a little. They will continue to break down on their own, but giving them a little help never hurts.
4. Add the beans and season. I add the beans last to warm them and keep them whole and delicious. Always season your soups, stews, or chili last so it doesn’t end up too salty as it cooks down.
5. Don’t forget the toppings! Serving chili without toppings would be sacrilege. Be sure to include some cheese and onions at the bare minimum.

What to Serve with Turkey Chili

Turkey & Vegetable Chili is great with so many things, but here are a few ideas to get you going:

• Simple Cornbread or Cornbread Jalapeno Muffins
• Crispy Baked Potatoes in the Oven
• Simple Side Salad

Variations

This recipe is great for when you need a change up or want to riff a little.

• Beef or Chicken – If ground turkey isn’t your favorite protein, consider swapping it out for ground beef or ground chicken. For beef, you may need to skim some of the fat before adding the vegetables.
• Change Up the Veggies – Don’t have all the veggies listed? Not a problem! I have added more or less of each and still ended up with delicious chili. So if you have three green bell peppers and some carrots hanging out in the fridge, feel free to add them in.
• Change Up the Toppings – Each and every bowl of this chili can be a choose-your-own-adventure meal for everyone in the family. I like to create a toppings bar so everyone can doctor up their bowl as they see fit.
• Spice It Up – If you crave heat but not everyone in the house does, you can top this recipe with fresh chiles or hot sauce. Should everyone be a heat freak, add a few more chiles with the rest of the vegetables OR add a few more pinches of cayenne.

Storage & Freezing

Storage: I like to store this in 8oz single-serve containers for easy reheating, but use what you have in your cupboard as long as it is airtight. Will keep in the fridge for up to a week.

Freezing: This makes a big batch and if you aren’t feeding a big group, you might not eat it all in one go. Thankfully, it freezes and reheats exceptionally well. Transfer it to an airtight container and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Questions About Turkey Chili with Vegetables