White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe (2024)

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A delicious, creamy White Bean Turkey Chili recipe made with canned white beans, ground turkey, aromatics and spices – no tomatoes!

White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe (1)White Bean Turkey Chili

This easy chili can be made on the stove, slow cooker or Instant Pot. Leftovers taste even better the next day for lunch! More chili recipes you might enjoy are Jalapeno Popper Chicken Chili, Quick Beef Chiliand No Bean Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili.

White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe (2)White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe (3)

My friend Debbie shared this recipe, which I’ve tweaked through the years, and I remember asking her if she forgot to tell me about the tomatoes. Nope, no tomatoes in this chili, which I remember blew my mind. Nowadays it’s quite common to see a white chili recipe, so I’m sure you won’t be surprised. This makes a lot, you can make a batch for dinner and freeze the leftovers for another night. Toppings, are optional, you can top it with anything you like on your chili. Here’s a few suggestions:

Chili Toppings:

  • Crushed Chips
  • Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
  • Cilantro or scallions
  • Chopped Scallions or Red Onions
  • Diced Avocado
  • Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack Cheese, or Cheddar Cheese

Notes:

  • I prefer the taste of 93% lean ground turkey, but you can further lighten this with 99% lean, which will lower the WW points.
  • To make this dairy free you can leave the sour cream out.
  • Swap the ground turkey for ground chicken if you prefer.
  • Yogurt will curdle if cooked, if you prefer yogurt just use it as a topping.

How To Freeze and Reheat Chili:

Let the chili cool then transfer to a freezer safe container. To reheat, transfer the the refrigerator the night before the thaw, then reheat on the stove or microwave.

White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe (4)White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe (5)White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe (6)

More Chili Recipes You May Enjoy:

  • Turkey Chili Taco Soup
  • Chicken Taco Chili
  • Crock Pot Kid Friendly Chili
  • Turkey Pumpkin White Bean Chili
  • Slow Cooker 3-Bean Chili

White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe (7)

White Bean Turkey Chili

4.90 from 118 votes

A delicious, creamy White Bean Turkey Chili recipe made with canned white beans, ground turkey, aromatics and spices – no tomatoes!

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American

White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe (8)

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr

Total: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Print Rate Pin SaveWW Points

Yield: 12 servings

Serving Size: 1 cup

Ingredients

  • olive oil spray
  • 2 small onions, chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 3 pounds 93% lean ground turkey
  • 1 4.5 ounce can diced green chilies
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon cumin
  • 1/2 tablespoon oregano
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder, to your taste
  • 1/2 to 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes, to your taste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 15.5 ounce cans of cannellini or navy beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt

Optional Toppings:

  • Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack Cheese, shredded
  • diced avocado
  • cilantro
  • sliced jalapeno
  • Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • chopped scallions

Instructions

  • Heat a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium flame. When hot, spray with oil.

  • Add onions and garlic, saute until soft, about 4 to 5 minutes.

  • Add the meat and cook, breaking it up until white and cooked through, about 5 minutes.

  • Add diced green chilies, salt, cumin, oregano, chili powder, red pepper flakes and cook for 2 minutes.

  • Pure 1 can of beans in the blender with 1 cup of the broth. Add to the pot with the remaining beans, broth and bay leaf and bring to a boil.

  • Cover and reduce to a simmer, about 30 to 35 minutes mixing occasionally, until thickened and the flavors meld.

  • Stir in sour cream and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning and salt to taste.

  • To serve, topped with your favorite toppings.

  • Slow Cooker directions: To make in the slow cooker, follow steps 1 to 5, reducing the broth to 1 1/2 cups and transfer to the slow cooker for 8 hours on low.

  • Instant Pot directions: To make in the Instant Pot, you will need an 8 quart IP or halve the recipe. Reduce the broth to 1 1/2 cups, cook high pressure 25 minutes.

Last Step:

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Video

Notes

BASED ON COMMENTS SAYING TOO LIQUIDY, I RETESTED AND REDUCED THE BROTH TO 2 CUPS.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cup, Calories: 307 kcal, Carbohydrates: 25 g, Protein: 30 g, Fat: 12 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Cholesterol: 88 mg, Sodium: 835 mg, Fiber: 9 g, Sugar: 2 g

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Categories:

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  • Dinner Ideas
  • Egg Free Recipes
  • Fall
  • Freezer Meals
  • Gluten Free
  • Ground Turkey Recipes
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Photo credit: Jess Larson

White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why did people put beans in chili? ›

Every cattle drive had chili as a chuck wagon staple, since the native peppers and onions were abundant along the trails. But stories are spread that the beef was too valuable and was limited to be used as food on the cattle drive, so extra protein came from a pot of beans along side the chili pot.

How to thicken up white chicken chili? ›

All-purpose flour and cornstarch are useful for thickening chili, as well as sauces, soups, and stews. However, you'll want to avoid adding these ingredients directly to your recipe, as this will result in clumps. Instead, create a slurry and add it slowly to help the thickener fully incorporate.

How many calories are in turkey white bean chili? ›

From Our Chefs Turkey White Bean Chili (250 ml) contains 21g total carbs, 15g net carbs, 7g fat, 15g protein, and 210 calories.

What can I add to chili to make it more soupy? ›

In addition, broth, beer, and/ or water is usually added to produce the desired consistency in the pot of chili. I usually add one or two cups of beef broth. If you put tomatoes in the stew, this will also provide plenty of liquid.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

Why does Texas not put beans in their chili? ›

If you go pretty much anywhere in Texas you will find chili ingredients simple and rarely differing: meat, sauce, peppers and spices. Carol Hanco*ck, President and CEO of the International Chili Society, told Texas Living there is a specific reason why Texas chili contains no beans: it's tradition.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Traditionally, we expect a robust, spicy base, meat and/or beans, perhaps some bonus veggies, and a thick, rich consistency. Unlike soups, which are brothy, or even bisques, which are creamy yet thinner, chili is meant to be more stew-like; it's a definite stick-to-your-ribs creation.

How do you thicken white turkey chili? ›

Make a cornstarch slurry: Mix together 1 tablespoon each of cornstarch and cold water, stirring well to remove any lumps. Then, stir the slurry into your chili and let it simmer for another 10 minutes to fully thicken.

Does tomato paste thicken chili? ›

Not only will tomato paste add a tangy flavor to the dish, but it will also act as a thickening agent. For this purpose, you can use homemade or store-bought tomato paste. Add 1 can of the paste to your pot of chili, stir the mixture, and let it cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes.

Is Turkey Chili healthier than beef? ›

Ground turkey, when compared to ground beef, has lower levels of saturated fat—making it a better choice for heart health—and is lower in calories. Lentils are well-known to vegetarians and are a solid option for adding texture, protein, and deliciousness to chili; plus, they're good for you.

Is Turkey Chili high in fat? ›

Generally speaking, turkey chili has less saturated fat than beef chili. However, it all depends on what type of turkey and beef are used in the chili and how much fat is in that ground meat. The higher the percentage of fat in the meat, the more fat and calories that will be in the chili.

What is one serving of Turkey Chili? ›

Turkey Chili - 1 bowl (about 2 cups)

What is the best liquid to put in chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

What is the secret to making good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  1. Brown the Meat.
  2. Don't Forget Vegetables.
  3. Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  4. Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  5. Opt for Dried Beans.
  6. Season Early and Often.
  7. Add Some Acidity at the End.
  8. Top It Off.

What spice gives chili its flavor? ›

Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

Are you supposed to put beans in chili? ›

The majority of us believed that beans are an essential part of our favorite chili recipes, but there were a few caveats. According to our Associate Culinary Producer Justin Sullivan, "BEANS GO IN CHILI unless it's specifically called 'Texas' chili."

Where did chili with beans originate? ›

Food historians speculate that chili originated in Texas-Mexico border towns and spread north. In the 1880s San Antonio's downtown was famous for Hispanic outdoor vendors called "chili queens." At Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition Texas-style chili was popular, and at St.

Does authentic chili have beans in it? ›

As purists would have it, traditional red (chili con carne) hasn't changed much over the years. It still consists of meat, red chili peppers, and spices—no beans, rice, pasta, or other fillers, aside from vegetables, according to ICS criteria.

Do Southerners put beans in chili? ›

In the Southern states, chili is often made with beans, ground beef, tomatoes, and a variety of spices. However, some purists argue that traditional Texas chili, which is often associated with the Southern region, does not include beans.

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