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    Home » Recipes

    Leftover Turkey Chili

    Published: Nov 25, 2019 / Updated: Apr 25, 2020 / 16 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This leftover turkey chili recipe is a healthy and hearty way to use up leftover turkey (or chicken) meat! Put those Thanksgiving leftovers to good use with this delicious and easy recipe. 

    healthy leftover turkey chili in two bowls

    I like this recipe because it's quick, and you basically just add the ingredients to the pot and let it cook for 15 minutes. No thinking needed after the big Thanksgiving feast that probably sapped all your energy. 😉 

    This chili has plenty of veggies and beans, so as well as keeping tummies full, it's good and nourishing. It's great to take to work to warm you up at the office once the post-Thanksgiving blues have set in.

    I have a number of turkey chili recipes on here (using ground turkey meat), including my Turkey Pumpkin Chili, this Instant Pot Turkey Chili, my Turkey White Bean Chili, and this Turkey Sweet Potato Chili. I figured it was time to make one that uses up turkey leftovers! You could instead use leftover cooked chicken or even a rotisserie chicken. 

    Turkey chili topping ideas

    • Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
    • Tortilla strips or crushed up chips
    • Chopped cilantro
    • Scallions
    • Tex-Mex cheese blend 
    • Avocado 

    What to serve with this turkey chili?

    Try cornbread, the suggested toppings, rice, or just enjoy it by itself.

    turkey chili (leftover turkey) in two bowls

    I figure it's important to have a selection of recipes on here that help my American readers get some variety in their diets besides turkey sandwiches for the next 3 weeks haha. So...

    More leftover turkey recipes you may like:

    • Easy Leftover Turkey Soup Recipe
    • Easy Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe
    • Thai Turkey Soup
    • Quick and Easy Turkey Noodle Soup
    • Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup

    close-up of leftover turkey chili

    Questions? Ask me in the comments below. 🙂

    Made one of my recipes? Don't forget to tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram.

    healthy leftover turkey chili in two bowls

    Leftover Turkey Chili

    This leftover turkey chili recipe is a healthy and hearty way to use up leftover turkey (or chicken) meat! Put those Thanksgiving leftovers to good use with this delicious and easy recipe. 
    4.67 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 261 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 medium onion chopped
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 (28 fluid ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices
    • 1 (4 fluid ounce) can diced green chilies with juices
    • 1 (14 fluid ounce) can black beans drained
    • 1 (14 fluid ounce) can red or white kidney beans drained
    • 1/2 green bell pepper chopped
    • 2 cups (or more) cooked turkey meat shredded/cut up
    • 1/2 cup chicken broth
    • 2 tablespoons chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 2 dashes Italian seasoning
    • Salt & pepper to taste
    • Garnish (optional): sour cream, cilantro, Tex-Mex cheese blend, etc.

    Instructions
     

    • Add the olive oil and onion to a soup pot over medium-high heat. Sauté for 5-7 minutes or until the onion is lightly browned.
    • Meanwhile, prep your other ingredients.
    • Add all the other ingredients to the pot except for salt & pepper. Increase the heat to high, and once it's boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
    • Add salt & pepper as needed, dish it up, and top with your desired toppings.

    Notes

    • Want some kick? Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
    • If you want more liquid, feel free to add more chicken broth (especially when reheating).
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 261kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 19gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 954mgFiber: 13gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1332IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 113mgIron: 6mg
    Keyword leftover turkey chili recipe
    Author Natasha Bull

     

    « Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup
    The Best Leftover Turkey Recipes »

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    1. Catherine says

      November 28, 2021 at 5:35 PM

      5 stars
      Just made this with leftover Thanksgiving turkey we smoked on the egg, and it was a hit! Great use of leftovers.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 28, 2021 at 9:36 PM

        So pleased you enjoyed it!!

        Reply
    2. Victoria says

      November 29, 2020 at 4:00 PM

      4 stars
      This was great! I added a poblano pepper and 2 stalks of celery just to use them in fridge and omitted the canned green chilies.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 30, 2020 at 9:38 AM

        Glad you enjoyed it! Love the poblano idea.

        Reply
    3. lisa Roberge says

      November 23, 2020 at 8:26 AM

      What is the topping in picture that looks like a carrot?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 23, 2020 at 9:44 AM

        I think it's either the cheddar cheese or diced tomatoes.

        Reply
    4. Jen says

      April 24, 2020 at 11:42 AM

      4 stars
      This was very good! I served it with cornbread and it was the perfect compliment! Can you give me the nutritional information please? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 25, 2020 at 8:16 AM

        Hi Jen!! So pleased you liked it. I was able to add the nutrition info for you. Keep in mind it's just an estimate and ingredients vary, and it doesn't include any toppings of course since it's so subjective.

        Reply
    5. Aly Foster says

      April 8, 2020 at 10:53 PM

      5 stars
      Had enough leftover turkey for two family meals...
      Made Thai turkey soup night one, and this chili on night two.
      Both were delicious and whole family enjoyed!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 9, 2020 at 9:50 AM

        So glad to hear it! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Debbie says

      March 2, 2020 at 3:03 PM

      Can you please tell me if 1 serving is 1/2c or1c. We are diabetic and have to count every carb. So we need to know the amount of each serving. Thank You.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 2, 2020 at 3:23 PM

        Hi Debbie! I wish I could be more helpful but I just guesstimate on the servings. I don’t want to tell you something that will unintentionally mislead you.

        Reply
    7. Mary says

      January 9, 2020 at 7:38 PM

      5 stars
      Very good! The longer it simmers, the better it is. I’m going to let mine simmer at least 2 hours.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 10, 2020 at 10:18 AM

        Agreed!! So glad you enjoy this recipe, Mary.

        Reply
    8. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      November 25, 2019 at 5:32 PM

      5 stars
      Perfect for all that leftover turkey that’ll be coming my way in a few days! Looks soooooo good!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 26, 2019 at 10:55 AM

        Thanks so much, friend!!

        Reply

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    Natasha Bull, founder and author of Salt & Lavender, in the kitchen

    Hi! I'm Natasha. Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!  Read more...

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