Touchdown Turkey Chili Cheddar (Printable)

Savory turkey chili with beans, bold spices, and melted cheddar for comforting meals.

# What You Need:

→ Turkey & Aromatics

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
03 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
04 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 large red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 large green bell pepper, diced

→ Spices

07 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
08 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
12 - 1 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Tomatoes & Beans

14 - 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
15 - 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
16 - 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
17 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
18 - 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Toppings

19 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
20 - 1/2 cup sour cream
21 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
22 - 1 jalapeño, sliced

# How To Cook:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
02 - Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
03 - Stir in onion, garlic, and both bell peppers. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
04 - Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
06 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors meld.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, topped with shredded cheddar, sour cream, cilantro, and jalapeño if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Lean ground turkey keeps it lighter without sacrificing any of that hearty satisfaction you crave from chili
  • The combination of two beans and both crushed and diced tomatoes creates the perfect hearty texture
02 -
  • Letting the spices cook for that full minute in step 3 makes the difference between flat chili and chili with depth
  • The chili thickens as it sits, so if it looks too thin initially, just give it time on the simmer
03 -
  • Rinse your beans thoroughly to remove the canning liquid that can make the chili muddy
  • Use sharp cheddar instead of mild cheese for a flavor that stands up to all the spices

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