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A bowl of turkey chili with jalapenos and sour cream.

Best Turkey Chili Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Erin Jensen
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 hours
  • Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
  • Category: Chili
  • Method: Slow Cooker + Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: American

Description

The BEST Turkey Chili Recipe with Slow Cooker + Instant Pot instructions!! Perfect for chilly weather!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 4 strips of bacon, cut into chunks
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 orange bell pepper, diced
  • 2 lbs ground turkey
  • (1) 6oz can tomato paste
  • (1) 28oz can whole tomatoes (do not drain)
  • (1) 14.5oz can fire roasted tomatoes, diced
  • (1) 15oz can red kidney beans, drained (omit for paleo/Whole30)
  • 12 teaspoons soy sauce (coconut aminos if paleo/Whole30)
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • zest of one lime
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pint sliced mushrooms
  • 1 cup chicken broth (Instant Pot only!)

Instructions

Instant Pot Instructions:

  1. Turn Instant Pot to Sauce function and add oil. Once hot, add bacon and move around fairly constantly so they don’t stick to the pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the fat has started to render.
  2. Add garlic and onion to pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Move around until onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add ground turkey and move that around, allowing it to cook slightly, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add bell peppers, whole tomatoes, tomato paste, fire-roasted tomatoes, soy sauce, chili powder, onion powder, smoked garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, lime zest, bay leaf, mushrooms, broth and salt and pepper.
  5. Mix to combine.
  6. Turn off Saute function.  Ensure release valve is set to Seal. Cook on High Pressure for 17 minutes.
  7. Manually release (but it is okay if it naturally releases for a bit).
  8. Add in beans. Stir to combine.  Close and let set 5-10 minutes (the beans don’t take long to warm up).
  9. Stir and taste.  Add additional salt, pepper or chili powder as desired.
  10. Serve with dairy-free sour cream, cilantro, red onion and fresh jalapeño.

Slow Cooker Instructions

  1. Bring large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Once hot, add bacon chunks and move around as it cooks. Cook for approximately 3-5 minutes or until the fat has started to render.
  2. Add garlic and onion to skillet and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Move around until onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add ground turkey and move that around, allowing it to cook slightly, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add ground turkey mixture to slow cooker, ensuring you scrape the bottom of the pan to get all the bits and liquid.
  5. Add bell peppers, whole tomatoes, tomato paste, fire-roasted tomatoes, beans, soy sauce, chili powder, onion powder, smoked garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, lime zest, bay leaf, mushrooms and salt and pepper.
  6. Mix to combine.
  7. Close and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
  8. Stir and taste.  Add additional salt, pepper or chili powder as desired.
  9. Serve with dairy-free sour cream, cilantro, red onion and fresh jalapeño.

Notes

  • Bacon: feel free to use either turkey bacon or pork bacon.  If you are concerned with Whole30/Paleo, check your ingredients.
  • Paleo/Whole30: to make this paleo/Whole30 simply ensure bacon is compliant, omit the beans and use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
  • Ground turkey: I would recommend a less lean percentage for your turkey such as a 85/15, but any kind will work.
  • Instant Pot: This was tested in an 8qt Instant Pot Duo and no issue with a burn notice – if you are concerned feel free to add another 1/2 cup broth.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 330
  • Sugar: 8.7 g
  • Sodium: 1065.2 mg
  • Fat: 14.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26.6 g
  • Protein: 26 g
  • Cholesterol: 70.5 mg