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Turkey White Bean Chili

Published / Updated / 14 Comments

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This turkey white bean chili recipe is hearty, simple to make, and packed with flavor. A definite crowd pleaser!

white bean turkey chili close-up

This recipe is pretty straightforward. It does need a bit of time to simmer, but most of that is largely hands-off, so this is a nice easy meal that's perfect for weeknights. It also makes plenty of leftovers, so it's a good option for meal prep as well.

You can't go wrong with chili. I have a few other turkey chili recipes on my blog that you may also like, including this turkey sweet potato chili, my Crockpot turkey chili, this turkey pumpkin chili, and this Instant Pot turkey chili. 

Cook a batch of this ground turkey chili on Sunday and you've got some easy meals for the week. No matter the weather, this is the perfect thing to warm up in the microwave at work when you're freezing in an air-conditioned office. πŸ˜‰ The protein in the lean turkey and white beans will keep you full for hours. 

cast iron pot with turkey chili

How to make turkey white bean chili

  1. Sauté the onion in a fairly large soup pot;
  2. Add the turkey and cook it until it's browned;
  3. Add everything else except for the sour cream and salt & pepper. Give it a good stir and simmer it for 15-20 mins;
  4. Stir in the sour cream, season to taste, and then serve with desired toppings. 

A few recipe tips:

  • The sour cream provides a little bit of creaminess and a little bit of tang to the dish. I love finishing dishes off this way. You could skip it if you avoid dairy, but I do think it enhances the flavor. 
  • The chili isn't particularly spicy as-is, but if you do want to kick the heat up, I suggest either using spicy green chilis, adding a half teaspoon (or more) of cayenne pepper, or topping it with cut-up jalapeno peppers. 

ground turkey white bean chili in two bowls

Turkey and white bean chili topping ideas

Use any/all:

  • Avocado
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Lime juice
  • Tortilla strips
  • Jalapenos
  • Dollop of sour cream
  • Shredded cheese (cheddar, Tex-Mex blend, Monterey Jack etc.)

My other chili recipes:

Turkey white bean chili close-up

Questions about this white bean turkey chili recipe? Let me know in the comments below! 

Made this recipe? Tag me on Instagram. 

white bean turkey chili close-up
5 from 3 votes
Print

Turkey White Bean Chili

This turkey white bean chili recipe is hearty, simple to make, and packed with flavor. A definite crowd pleaser!

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword turkey white bean chili
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings 6
Author Natasha Bull

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 pounds extra lean ground turkey
  • 1 (28 fluid ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
  • 2 tablespoons chili power
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 (4 fluid ounce) cans dried green chilis
  • 2 (14 fluid ounce) cans white kidney (cannellini) beans drained
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, avocado, tortilla strips, cilantro, sour cream, etc.

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients. Add the oil and the onion to a pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 5 minutes.

  2. Add the turkey to the pot, and cook it until it turns white (about 5 mins), breaking it up with your spoon/stirring it periodically.

  3. Add the tomatoes and remaining ingredients except the sour cream and salt & pepper.

  4. Once the chili starts to bubble, reduce the heat so it's gently simmering. Let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring it periodically.

  5. Stir in the sour cream and season with salt & pepper. Serve immediately as-is or with suggested toppings.

Recipe Notes

  • I used mild green chilis, but feel free to use hot ones instead. You could also add some cayenne pepper if you want to kick up the heat.
  • I found this chili to have plenty of liquid, but if you want a bit more, add in some chicken broth. 
  • Serves 6+ depending on how much you eat.

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  1. Christy says

    5 stars
    Quick, easy, and tasty. The only thing I changed was adding a chopped yellow bell pepper because I can't not add extra veggies to things, and I did add a little liquid, maybe 1/2 cup. It was delish, and I expect it to taste better tomorrow, as things like this often do. Thanks!

    Reply

  4. Michelle Mercer says

    I made this last night and it was delicious. My husband and son aren’t fond of beans, so I opted to only add one can of beans. The chili was still hearty and full of flavor. My daughters (14 and 18) went back for seconds. This recipe is definitely a keeper!

    Reply

  5. Terryn says

    5 stars
    This recipe is a winner! My entire family enjoyed it...my hubby, 9 year old daughter and my almost-2 year old enjoyed it with white rice on the side. I did have to add about a half a cup of chicken broth. I am adding this recipe to my "go to weeknight meals". The ingredients were easy (most of which I already had on hand), prepping was quick and it was ready to eat within 30 minutes. Yes! Thank you Salt & Lavender!

    Reply