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Turkey And Black Bean Chili

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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This protein-packed turkey black bean chili recipe is filled with sweet, smoky flavors and is sure to impress. This crowd-pleaser is ideal for your next game day party or meal prep!

A high-quality protein diet is important, whether you’re looking to curb hunger, repair muscle tissue, or prevent muscle loss as you age. Preparing, eating, and developing high-protein recipes has been vital to my weight loss success. This turkey and black bean chili is always a crowd pleaser and just might become a new staple in your house. It’s one of my all-time favorite soup recipes and is packed with lean turkey, beans, and tons of vegetables.  

Ingredients

  • Onion: I use a white or yellow onion as they are a bit milder in flavor.
  • Garlic: Aromatic, pungent, a little nutty, sweet and spicy. Garlic adds tons of layers to your dish!
  • Ground turkey: High in protein, while being low in fat and calories, it’s a great alternative to ground beef or chicken.
  • Warm spices: Cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and ground coriander help to give this chili loads of depth and flavor.
  • Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: Adds a delicious smoky flavor to the soup.
  • Bell peppers: I like to use red bell peppers because they are the sweetest, but any color will work.
  • Beer: Adds a richness to the soup, and any alcohol cooks out. But you could use more chicken broth instead as well.
  • Chicken broth: Makes for a flavorful base of the chili.
  • Diced tomatoes: I love using fire roasted diced tomatoes for just another level of flavor.
  • Barbecue sauce: Adds some umami and classic taste to the chili.
  • Black beans: A bit creamy and chewy in texture, but full of protein and nutrients.
  • Corn: You can use fresh, canned, or frozen, but it adds a great little bit of crunch and sweetness.

How to Make Turkey Black Bean Chili 

To start your turkey black bean chili, heat a large pot over medium-high heat and spray it with cooking spray. Grate the garlic and add it to the pot along with the onion.

Then add the turkey and season it with cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, coriander, salt and pepper. Cook until turkey is browned, crumbling as it cooks.

After the turkey is cooked, add the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

Then add the chopped bell peppers and diced tomatoes to the pot. Cook until veggies are all soft.

Then add beer to deglaze the pan. Scrape up the brown bits on the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.

Stir in chicken broth and barbecue sauce. You can use store-bought barbecue sauce, but if you have a barbecue sauce recipe you love, homemade barbecue sauce is even better!

Next, drain and rinse beans, then add to the pot.

Finally, add in the corn. Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30-40 minutes.

Once finished, serve along with your favorite toppings, and enjoy your Turkey Black Bean Chili!

Suggested Toppings

  • Cheese
  • Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • Tortilla chips
  • Green onion or cilantro

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to add beer to chili?

No. Though light beer in this recipe adds flavor, you can use chicken broth instead. A lager, stout or porter beer is the most popular. These types tend to have as many hops and have more of a rich and frothy texture making a chili warm and filling.

How long does chili last in the refrigerator?

It will last 3 days in the fridge in an air tight container. It will last 3 months in the freezer.

What’s the best way to freeze chili?

To freeze chili, allow it to cool to room temperature then freeze in large, resealable plastic bags laid flat or airtight containers.

More Chili

Eat It, LIke It, Share It!

Did you try this chili? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials. Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.

Liz eating turkey black bean chili.

The best way to warm up you and your family this winter is a bowl of my warm, hearty Turkey Black Bean Chili.

Your spoon is waiting.

Turkey Black Bean Chili

Turkey Black Bean Chili

4.88 stars average
Sweet and smoky flavors that will be sure to beat any cook off, this freezer friendly turkey chili is sure to impress!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Serves8
CourseSoup
Calories241

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 pound ground turkey breast 99% lean
  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo – minced optional
  • 2 sweet bell peppers seeded and diced
  • 6 ounces light beer or sub chicken broth
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 15 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce homemade or store-bought
  • 2 15 ounce black or kidney beans canned, drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup corn fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup plain Greek or low fat yogurt for serving (optional)
  • fresh cilantro and sriracha optional garnish

Instructions
 

  1. Heat a large sauce pot over medium-high and spray with cooking spray. Add diced onions and grated garlic to the pot along with pinch of salt and pepper. Saute until translucent, about 5-6 minutes.
  2. To the pot, add the ground turkey, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, coriander, salt and pepper. Cook until turkey is browned, stirring occasionally, 7-9 minutes.
  3. To the pan, add onion, garlic and peppers. Cook until vegetable are softened, 6-8 minutes.
  4. Add beer to deglaze, scraping up brown bits on bottom of pan using a wooden spoon.
  5. Stir in chicken broth, tomatoes and barbecue sauce then return to a boil before adding in beans and corn.
  6. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes or longer.
  7. Serve with a dollop of plain yogurt, sriracha and cilantro.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cupsCalories: 241kcalCarbohydrates: 32.6gProtein: 23.5gFat: 1.4gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.2gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 857mgFiber: 8.2gSugar: 9.3g

Liz’s Notes

Can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days and will keep in freezer for up to 3 months.

Have you tried this?

Let us know how it was!

4.88 from 16 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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37 responses to “Turkey And Black Bean Chili”

  1. Ani Avatar
    Ani

    I love these recipes with a nutritional purpose, I grew up with always having yogurt in the house too and use it as a sour cream sub now with my family.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thank you so much Ani!! Enjoy!

  2. Cookin Canuck Avatar
    Cookin Canuck

    All of the flavors in here sound like they add up to a wonderful, smoky bowl of chili. And I agree that yogurt is a wonderful way to add protein and cool things off at the same time. We always serve yogurt alongside my grandparents’ curry recipe to cool down our mouths.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Ook is that curry recipe on your blog Dara?? I’ll have to check it out!! xo

  3. Gaby Avatar
    Gaby

    The flavors in this chili are fantastic! Great idea to boost protein with yogurt, so yummy!

  4. Jenny Flake Avatar
    Jenny Flake

    Lovin’ all these flavors! Mmmmmm!!!

  5. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    This looks like a fantastic dinner! I definitely need to get more protein in my diet.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I could add yogurt to almost anything!

  6. Michelle K Avatar
    Michelle K

    Would the yogurt be ok to stir into the crockpot before serving to make the whole batch more creamy? Or would that be gross? Be honest :)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I would add it at the end to avoid curdling. :)

  7. naomi Avatar
    naomi

    I love your healthy spin on chili.

  8. Carolyn Avatar
    Carolyn

    Now that looks like a hearty bowl of chill!

  9. Laurie {Simply Scratch} Avatar
    Laurie {Simply Scratch}

    Oh how I LOVE this chili!! We are huge sriracha fans and this looks like all kinds of amazing!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Sriracha is my happy place!

  10. Jennie @themessybakerblog Avatar
    Jennie @themessybakerblog

    I love everything about his delicious chili. It looks absolutely hearty and comforting. Pinned.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thank you Jennie!