Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe (Stove Top, Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)
This Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe can be made on the stove top, or in your slow cooker or Instant Pot! Everyone who tries it says this is the best turkey chili!
Pin this recipe to save it for later.
Do you love the prep ahead convenience of your slow cooker? Or do you like the convenience of the Instant Pot for getting dinner on the table quickly after work? Maybe you don’t have a slow cooker or an Instant Pot and prefer to cook your meals on the stove. Stove, slow cooker or Instant Pot… all three will work to make this Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe for your family.
This chili recipe is based off of the chili that my sister always makes. I’ve made just a few changes to her recipe, as well as tested it in the Instant Pot and slow cooker. I want you to have options when it comes to making chili!
We recommend mixing pasta into the chili leftovers for a new meal the next day. Add some shredded cheese and you have chili mac!
It’s going to be cold and rainy here for the rest of the week… perfect chili weather! If you try this recipe, leave a comment below to let me know how you like it. Or share a photo on Instagram and tag me. I love to see what you’re cooking!
This Slow Cooker Turkey Chickpea Chili is my other favorite healthy turkey chili recipe. You can also make it on the stove top or in the Instant Pot using the methods in the recipe card below.
To make this Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe on the stove top:
- If you don’t have a slow cooker or Instant Pot, or you just prefer to have a pot of chili simmering away on your stove, the stove top method is for you!
- You’ll cook everything in one pot, so clean up is easy.
- Simmer your chili for 1-2 hours before serving, depending on how much time you have.
To make this Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe in the slow cooker:
- If you prefer to prep dinner early in the day, the slow cooker method is for you.
- I have this 5 quart slow cooker and highly recommend it.
- The chili cooks on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. You can let it cook for up to 10 hours on low if you’ll be out of the house all day for work.
- You will need to brown the turkey in a pan on the stove before you can cook the chili in your slow cooker. You’ll cook the onion in the same pan.
- Before transferring the onion and meat to your slow cooker, add the garlic, spices and tomato paste. Then stir in the broth and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan.
- You might also like my Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili.
To make this Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe in the Instant Pot:
- My favorite way to make this Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe is in my Instant Pot because it really develops the flavors of the chili in a short amount of time.
- Since Instant Pots have a saute setting, you can soften the onion and brown the meat right in the Instant Pot!
- The first time I made this chili in my Instant Pot, I got a “burn” warning. I don’t want this to happen to you, so I did more recipe testing to find some tricks to avoid it: (1) After adding the broth, stir the ingredients well, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot. You don’t want any pieces of meat stuck there to burn. (2) Add the tomatoes and beans last and do not stir them in. High starch foods like beans can cause your Instant Pot to give a “burn” warning, so we don’t want them near the bottom of the pot.
- Try my classic Instant Pot Beef Chili next!
Other tips and tricks for making this Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe:
- You can make this recipe even healthier by adding more veggies. I recommend chopped bell peppers (add them with the onion) or chopped spinach (fresh or frozen, stir it in at the end, after cooking).
- Use your favorite kinds of beans. The recipe calls for black, pinto and kidney beans. Chickpeas or cannellini beans are other good options.
- Stir in cooked pasta and shredded cheddar cheese to make an easy chili mac. Or, for a vegetarian chili mac try my Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Mac recipe.
- You can make this chili up to two days ahead and store it in the refrigerator. It also freezes well for up to two months.
Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe (Stove Top, Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth (or one 14.5 ounce can)
- 28 ounce can fire roasted crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounce can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
- 15 ounce can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 15 ounce can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
- For topping: shredded cheese, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (as desired)
Instructions
To Make on the Stove Top:
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook 2 minutes, until onion starts to soften. Add the ground turkey and cook, stirring to crumble the meat, until turkey is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
- Add the brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Add the broth and stir, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes and beans.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. Cover the chili during the first part of the cook time, and then uncover during the last 30 minutes to thicken.
- Serve chili with toppings, as desired.
To Make in the Slow Cooker:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook 2 minutes, until onion starts to soften. Add the ground turkey and cook, stirring to crumble the meat, until turkey is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
- Turn off the heat and add the brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Add the broth and stir, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Pour the mixture into your slow cooker insert.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and then beans to the slow cooker and stir.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
- Stir and serve chili with toppings, as desired.
To Make in the Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker):
- Turn Instant Pot on saute setting. Add the olive oil and onion and cook 2 minutes, until onion starts to soften. Add the ground turkey and cook, stirring to crumble the meat, until turkey is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Turn off the Instant Pot and stir in the garlic.
- Add the brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Add the broth and stir well, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and then beans on top of the meat mixture and DO NOT stir in.
- Seal the Instant Pot lid and turn the valve to sealing. Pressure cook on high pressure (manual) for 12 minutes.
- Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 10 minutes (by leaving it off after it finishes cooking). Then, carefully do a quick pressure release (use a potholder or the handle of a long spoon to carefully turn the steam release valve to venting) to release the remaining steam and pressure. Once the float valve drops down, carefully open the Instant Pot away from you, as the steam will be hot.
- Stir and serve chili with toppings, as desired.
Nutrition
This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!
This was really good. I made it on the stovetop and didn’t have enough time to let it simmer for 1-2 hours, but it still tasted great.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this chili, KaLynn!
Great recipe! Used stovetop method. A-
I just made this for the first time and had to write to say how much I loved it! I added chopped red bell pepper in with the onions and by mistake added diced tomatoes instead of crushed out of habit from my usual recipe, but otherwise followed amounts and ingredients. The seasoning was perfect for my littles! I’m just starting to try and substitute things for hamburger (we love it, just eat way too much red meat!) and this was an awesome start! Thanks so much!!!
Could you substitute the canned beans with dry ones? How would the amounts needed differ?
I wouldn’t recommend subbing dry beans for the canned in this recipe. I would have to test it myself to figure out the amounts of liquid/beans, as well as the cook time. If you want to avoid canned beans, I would recommend cooking your dry beans first, separately, and then using those cooked beans in this recipe. You’ll need about 1 3/4 cups of cooked beans per 15 ounce can.
Thank you!
Amazing chili! This is our go to recipe.. The hubs & kids love it! 🙂
I’m so happy to hear that! I love this recipe, too!
Great Chili but I like my chili with a thicker sauce. What do you recommend to thicken the sauce so its not so watery. Maybe add corn starch or ???? I used your recipe for my 6 Qt Instant Pot.
I would recommend reducing the broth a bit or adding more tomato paste (before cooking) to thicken the sauce. I’ve never had this turn out watery, but if you like a really thick chili you might try one of those suggestions.
This is an absolutely delicious and easy turkey chili recipe. Even family member that don’t usually like turkey chili really liked this one. I sautéed an orange pepper in with the onions and used our favorite beans. I appreciate that you provided instruction for cooking on stove top, slow cooker or pressure cooker. My original intent was to use the pressure cook on the Instant Pot, but stirred in the tomatoes and beans before reading your DO NOT stir in…. At that point I switched the Instant Pot from pressure cook to slow cooker function. Will definitely make this again soon. It was great reheated for lunches.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this chili! It’s one of our favorites, too! You have to be careful with beans in the pressure cooker, as they can sometimes give you a burn warning. That’s why I recommend not stirring in the beans and tomatoes. I’m glad the slow cooker function worked for you.
Hi!! Wanting to try this recipe with my 8 qt instant pot, should I change anything about the recipe for the larger IP? Maybe just more liquid?
Thanks!!
You don’t need to change anything to make this in an 8 quart instant pot. I’ve made it in my 8 quart with success. Just be sure to add the tomatoes and beans last and don’t stir them in, since the 8 quart Instant Pot is more prone to getting a burn warning, especially with these ingredients. 🙂
I am prob late to the game but I just made this tonight in the IP and it turned out AMAZING! I’m not much of a turkey ground type person and this turned out so good. I left out the black beans but did the rest. Subbed onion for onion powder and that was it. Glad I found this! Thanks for your great instructions. 💙
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! This is one of my favorites in the Instant Pot. 🙂
can I ask how long it took for your IP to go from “on” to countdown? My IP was on the “on” setting for 25 minutes and was hissing all along. I ended up turning it off then starting it again, only to keep waiting again. After 30 minutes I shut it off again and served the chili as is. The chili still tasted good but most of the liquid was gone. Anyone else have this problem?
Hi Lori, your Instant Pot should have come to pressure and counted down unless the valve was left open or your pot isn’t working correctly. You may want to try a simple water test with your Pot, see my guide. https://kristineskitchenblog.com/instant-pot-guide/
Thank you for this healthy recipe! I made it just like the recipe called for in the instant pot. Seasoning and timing were perfect. I put out little bowls of green onions, shredded cheddar and light sour cream for toppings. My family loved it!
We love it too!
Made this as written the other day (in my InstantPot) and it was delicious. It is now my husband’s favorite chili recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Made the turkey chili tonight and it was delicious!! Added sweet potato too:). Thank you!!!
Can’t wait to make this! Can the chili be frozen and then thawed for a later date?
Yes, this chili freezes well. Enjoy!
This was the most perfect chili! Not too salty, not too spicy. Easy to make but still feels like you deserve to pat yourself on the back for cooking that night. 😂 it was delicious made in the Dutch oven! Can’t wait to make again! Thank you!
Can I substitute ground beef? I’ve made this with turkey and it was amazing but my husband is requesting beef this time. Thanks!
That will work perfectly! Enjoy!
Thanks for including recipes for dinner top, slow cooker and instant pot. I am new to pressure cooking so I’ve been trying out lots of recipes for pressure cooking. I had to add more seasoning to get a good chili flavor but it was very easy to following. I hope my critics like it.
My girls are VERY picky eaters, but they DEVOURED this chili. I was out of pinto beans so I subbed canned lentils instead, SO GOOD.
I am SO happy to hear that!!!
I made this the other night in my insta pot and it was delicious! I am new to using my insta pot, but was wondering if the time would change if I were to double the recipe?
The cook time stays the same for a double recipe. It will just take a little longer for the pot to come to pressure and release pressure, since there’s more in the pot. I’m glad you loved this! It’s one of my favorites.
Hello,
I would love to make this recipe but I’m cooking for 1! Can I cut the recipe in half and still cook according to the instructions?
Thanks!
Yes, that will work well. Enjoy!
Just made this recipe in the slow cooker for my roommate and I! We both absolutely loved it, added red pepper flakes for a bit of an extra kick. Reheats really well and super filling!
Good flavor but very watery with instapot method, i followed recipe exactly. Think I’ll drain the crushed tomatoes next time. Otherwise pretty good.
Can I use frozen ground turkey? If so does tw cook time change?
I recommend thawing the turkey first so that you can brown it, which adds flavor. You can thaw it in the refrigerator, or if it is in a vacuum sealed wrapper you can put it in a bowl of cool water for about 20 minutes to thaw.
Good chili, but needs some heat.
Added cayenne pepper 1/4-1/8 teaspoon.
Hi. I noticed on the nutritional chart it says serving size 1.5 cups….. That doesnt sound like enough to feed 3-4 people……..how do i make enough to feed 3-4 people in my 6qt instant pot duo? I just got the instant pot so i want this to be my first recipe to try (after the water test)
The serving size is for one serving. At the top of the recipe card it says that the recipe makes 6 servings. So you will have 6 servings of 1.5 cups each if you make the recipe as written. Enjoy your new Instant Pot!
Can I double this recipe in my 8ct duo. I have a very large family
I haven’t tried making a double recipe in my 8 quart. It may fit, but I am not sure.
So I have recently been making this for my husband and I… I am always trying to make things healthier/sneak veggies in when I can because I absolutely love veggies.. I experimented with putting cauliflower in the chili and I was surprised at the outcome! You absolutely couldn’t even tell it was in there at all. This is a very easy recipe to sneak veggies into, especially if you have kiddos/other people who don’t particularly care for veggies. The chili is sooooo yummy and flavorful, and when you let the veggies cook with the chili (I added it in when I added the beans), the veggies soak up all the yumminess of the chili!
I am the biggest fan of this recipe! I’ve made it a few times now in my slow cooker. It is delicious! I’m not the best cook in the world, but this is easy to make and honestly it’s pretty fun to make! I absolutely love it. I add one bell pepper to the onion as suggested. Thank you Kristine! I’ll be making this on repeat for life.
Can i sub turkey for pork? We have a food allergy in the house.
Yes, that should work fine.
Anyone used beef for this recipe? Wondering if I would use beef broth
Yes, you can use beef and beef broth in place of turkey and chicken broth.
This chili is so good! It was a huge hit at a party I just had. I doubled the recipe and it was almost gone with only 20 people. This is a keeper. So easy to make but doesn’t taste like it! Thank you for sharing!
Delicious! I made this with my new Instant pot. It was really a perfect blend of seasonings and it really made a lot of chili. I will definitely be making this again.
Does the nutrition label include toppings such as cheese and sour cream?
No, it doesn’t because the toppings and amounts that people may choose to add will vary. Nutrition information is always an estimate.
I love this recipe, use it all the time! It’s a family favorite and in our rotation. I make it in the instant pot. The only change I have to make is I use diced tomatoes because every time I’ve tried crushed I get the burn notice. But otherwise it’s an easy, quick week night meal!