Description
A high-protein, quick weeknight turkey chili with black beans and cheddar that tastes better than takeout and is ready in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (28oz each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 cans (15oz each) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Dice onion, mince garlic, and rinse beans thoroughly.
- Brown the turkey: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink (5-7 minutes). Remove turkey from pot and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the pot and cook until softened (3-4 minutes). Add garlic and tomato paste, stirring constantly for 1 minute until tomato paste darkens slightly.
- Bloom spices: Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Stir for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Build the chili: Return turkey to the pot. Add black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes (with liquid), and chicken broth. Stir to combine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
- Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Season and serve: Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot topped with shredded cheddar, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Notes
Rinsing the beans is crucial to remove starchy liquid that causes a metallic taste. Bloom spices in fat before adding liquid for deeper flavor. Use fire-roasted tomatoes for smoky depth. If chili is too thin, mash some beans against the pot to thicken. Leftovers taste better the next day.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 9
- Protein: 35
Keywords: turkey chili, high protein dinner, quick weeknight meals, easy chili recipe, healthy ground turkey, black bean chili, 30 minute meals