Leftover Turkey Chili
This Leftover Turkey Chili is hands-down one of the best ways to transform extra turkey into a comforting and flavorful meal. Hearty, healthy and incredibly easy to make. Packed with protein, beans, and warming spices, it’s the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights. Made in one pot, this chili couldn’t be easier.
Why This Leftover Turkey Chili Works:
- Quick & Easy: ready in under 45 minutes.
- Healthy: Lean protein and fiber-rich beans.
- Budget-friendly: Uses leftover cooked turkey.
- Meal-prep friendly: Tastes even better the next day.
- Freezer-safe: Ideal for make-ahead meals.
Ingredients for Leftover Turkey Chili:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 chopped medium onion
- 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers (any color or mixed) I use frozen rainbow peppers from Trader Joes.
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 cups chopped or shredded turkey
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 14.5 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 14 oz can chili beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 14 oz can green chilis
- Tortilla strips, sour cream, shredded cheese, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, green onions etc for topping (optional)
How to Make Leftover Turkey Chili:
- Heat olive oil in Dutch oven or soup pot and saute onion and bell peppers until softened. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Stir in turkey, chili powder, brown sugar, cocoa powder, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir to coat the turkey.
- Add beef broth, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir together and cook for 1 minute.
- Add beans and canned green chilis and stir together.
- Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
- Serve with optional ingredients if desired.
Notes:
- Store in refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezes for up to 3 months.
- Reheat on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of broth to thin it out.
Other easy, yummy recipes to try:
Leftover Turkey Chili
This Leftover Turkey Chili is hands-down one of the best ways to transform extra turkey into a comforting and flavorful meal. Hearty, healthy and incredibly easy to make.
Equipment
- 1 Dutch oven or soup pot
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup bells peppers, chopped (any color or mixed) I use frozen rainbow peppers from Trader Joes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chopped or shredded turkey
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 14.5 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 14 oz can chili beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 4 oz can green chilis
- Tortilla strips, sour cream, shredded cheese, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, green onions etc for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in Dutch oven or soup pot and saute onion and bell peppers until softened. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Stir in turkey, chili powder, brown sugar, cocoa powder, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir to coat the turkey.
- Add beef broth, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir together and cook for 1 minute.
- Add beans and canned green chilis and stir together.
- Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Serve with optional ingredients if desired.
- NOTES: *Store in refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. *Freezes for up to 3 months. *Reheat on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of broth to thin it out.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!