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Home » Recipes » Dinners

Turkey Chili With Black Beans

Published: February 24, 2022 | Last Updated: May 16, 2022 | Lisa 1 Comment
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Last Updated May 16th, 2022 at 01:35 pm by Lisa

White bowls of turkey chili topped with cheese, sour cream, and green onions.

Earning years of rave reviews, this one ranks in the all-time family favorites. This Turkey Black Bean Chili Recipe has earned the title of a great recipe. I have made and handed it out countless times over the years.

People love that you can make it in a slow cooker, a crockpot, or on the stovetop. A simple recipe for an easy dinner or party food idea to serve a crowd on big game days.

Whip up a big batch and top with cool sour cream. One of my favorite parts is the mixed the cheese and onions. Bake up some cornbread muffins, and you have warm cozy comfort food in a bowl...

Why This Recipe Works

  • Only one pot to clean.
  • Cook on the stove!
  • An easy slow cooker turkey chili recipe.
  • It's a healthy turkey chili.
  • An easy weeknight dinner.
  • One pot meals save time.
  • An easy turkey chili for beginner cooks.
  • You can make it spicier if you wish.
  • Freeze last night leftovers in an airtight storage container.
  • An easy recipe that is fast to put together.
  • Serve ground turkey chili at parties or on game days.
  • The leftovers are incredible!

How To Make Turkey Black Bean Chili

All You Need...

ground turkey: Lean ground turkey is healthier than ground beef and gives a lighter flavor to the chili. You can swap in ground beef or ground chicken if you wish. You can also turn this into a vegetarian chili, just leave out the meat.

jalapenos: Can add a lot of heat..so go easy if you use a fresh jalapeño. I recommend finely diced canned jalapeños into very small pieces, taste them before adding. Watch the heat scale on the side of the can. Add just a tablespoon or so. You could also swap in chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for some smoky flavor. Another idea is to add ancho chili powder, but it can run really spicy so taste it first and add tiny small amounts. If the whole family doesn't like it spicy, you could just add some sweet orange bell pepper or red bell peppers.

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butter: It is one of my top cooking secrets to building a winning flavor profile when sauteing onions, but you can swap in a tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil in its place.

beer: This is optional, if you don't want beer in the chili, it will be just as delicious. But a pub-style lager beer (try English Boddingtons if you can find it) adds something special and might just be my secret ingredient. You can leave it out or add an equal amount of chicken broth or stock.

black beans: Drain the beans, you don't have to rinse them but can if you wish. I prefer the size of black beans in this recipe, but you can substitute other types of canned beans like pinto beans, navy, or kidney beans.

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups yellow diced onion (2 medium or 1 large onion)
  • 3 pound ground turkey package
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • 3 tablespoons regular chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of sea salt
  • 28 oz organic cans of tomatoes undrained
  • 1 tomato paste
  • 1 small can of green chilies (low heat)
  • 2 organic black beans drained
  • 12 ounces good beer Lagers give rich flavor-I use Boddington's or Longboard

Toppings

One of my favorite ways to eat a hot bowl of black bean turkey chili is to load on the toppings!

  • grated cheese - Mexican 4 cheese blend
  • sliced green onions
  • sour cream
  • tortilla chips

Turkey Chili Recipe Instructions

  1. In a regular slow cooker, simply add the butter and onions to the bottom of the pan. If you have a slow-cooker with the sauté function, turn it on medium-high heat or are using a large pot, saute the diced onion in butter until just turning brown scraping up the brown bits with a wooden spoon. This is not necessary but adds great flavor.
  2. Next, add all 7 spices (cayenne, chile powder, garlic powder, cumin, crushed red pepper, black pepper, sea salt) to the onions, and stir for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add ground turkey, tomato paste, beer, tomatoes, green chiles, and black beans. Stir to combine.
  4. Cook for 4 hours on low in Slow Cooker. Stir once an hour. Or cook on high for 2 hours, stir once an hour.
  5. Stovetop: In a large pot, saute onions and 7 spices, brown ground turkey, add tomato paste, beer, tomatoes, green chilis, and black beans. Cover and cook for 1 hour on medium heat.
  6. Stir and serve in soup bowls with grated cheese, sour cream, green onions, and tortilla chips.

A Word On Slow Cookers/Crockpots

For years I owned an inexpensive ceramic crockpot that finally wore out. I replaced it, and learned that slow cookers have come a long way!

PRO TIP: Buy a slow cooker that has a browning saute function. What a game-changer. I upgraded to a Wolf Gourmet Multi-Cooker with a stainless lining. I love it, and it offers many other features like sous vide. But it is pricy, there are many models available now. The stainless lining was a priority so I chose this one. I LOVE to saute onions and spices first before adding all the other ingredients into recipes. I believe it is a great way to build a strong flavor profile, making you one heck of a good cook!

Turkey Chili Crockpot FAQ

Can chili be frozen?

Yes! Cool the traditional turkey chili down safely in the refrigerator and scoop it into serving portions in freezer zip-top bags or containers.

How do you thicken chili?

The best way is to remove the lid while on a heat source to reduce the liquid.
Another way is to add a can of refried beans! It brings in more flavor and thickens your chili.

What Goes With Turkey Chili?

Everyone loves a hot bowl of turkey chili covered in toppings. Here are some great new ways to enjoy chili
-Put a huge dollop into a steamy hot baked potato with cheese and sour cream.
-Make an omelet and add in chili for a delicious breakfast.
-Thicken the chili with a can of beans, mix in some cheese and serve with tortilla chips for a hot dip.
-Put a layer of chili on your hot dog with cheese, onions, and more toppings for a chili dog.
-Layer hot chili onto your hamburger for one messy delicious dinner!
-Put a layer of chili on top of creamy mashed potatoes, and bake until hot and bubbly, add some grated cheddar cheese in the last few minutes to melt all over.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

These Slow Cooker recipes and Crock-Pot Dinners will have your friends and family serving seconds.

Cowboy Baked Beans are a top reader favorite party food side to serve for family gatherings, potlucks, and the holidays!

Chicken Gnocchi Soup is so easy to put together and a hearty dinner recipe. Loaded with creamy shredded chicken, vegetables, and gnocchi which are soft puffy "Italian dumplings".

Hot Dog Chili is so easy. Learn my hack to make it nice and thick so it loads on Grilled Hot Dogs and stays! Slow Cooker Pulled Pork made with pork loin is so juicy, top with coleslaw, pickle chips, and tangy BBQ sauce all on a golden bun.

  • Cowboy Beans
  • Chicken Gnocchi Soup
  • Hot Dog Chili
  • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

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A bowl of turkey chili topped with sour cream, grated cheese, and green onions with corn bread muffins.
Print Pin Recipe

Turkey Chili With Black Beans Recipe

Turkey Chili with Black Beans can be made in a slow cooker, crockpot, or stovetop. An all-time family favorite with years of rave reviews!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 206kcal
Author Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

Slow Cooker / Crock Pot
Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Chef Knife
Epicurean Non-Slip Cutting Board
Wolf Gourmet Multi Cooker

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups diced yellow onions 2 medium onions
  • 3 lbs ground turkey
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 28 oz organic tomatoes undrained
  • 1 tomato paste
  • 1 small can green chilis low heat
  • 2 organic black beans drained
  • 12 ounces good lager beer

Toppings:

  • grated cheese - Mexican 4 cheese blend
  • sliced green onions
  • sour cream
  • tortilla chips
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a regular slow cooker, simple add the butter and onions. If you have a slow-cooker with the saute setting or are using a large pot, saute diced onions in butter until just turning brown. This is not necessary, but adds great flavor
  • Next add all 7 spices (cayenne, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, crushed red pepper, black pepper, sea salt) to the onions, and stir for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add ground turkey, tomato paste, beer, tomatoes, green chiles, and black beans. Stir to combine.
  • Cook for 4 hours on low in Slow Cooker. Stir once an hour. Or cook on high for 2 hours, stir once an hour.
  • Stovetop: In a large pot, saute onions and 7 spices, brown ground turkey, add tomato paste, beer, tomatoes, green chilis, and black beans. Cover and cook 1 hour on medium-low heat.
  • Stir and serve in bowls with grated cheese, sour cream, green onions, and tortilla chips.

Notes

ground turkey: Lean ground turkey is healthier than ground beef and gives a lighter flavor to the chili. You can swap in ground beef or ground chicken if you wish. You can also turn this into a vegetarian chili, just leave out the meat.

jalapenos: Can add a lot of heat..so go easy if you use a fresh jalapeño. I recommend finely diced canned jalapeños into very small pieces, taste them before adding. Watch the heat scale on the side of the can. Add just a tablespoon or so. You could also swap in chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for some smoky flavor. Another idea is to add ancho chili powder, but it can run really spicy so taste it first and add tiny small amounts. If the whole family doesn't like it spicy, you could just add some sweet orange bell pepper or red bell peppers.

butter: It is one of my top cooking secrets to building a winning flavor profile when sauteing onions, but you can swap in a tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil in its place.

beer: Is optional, if you don't want beer in the chili, it will be just as delicious. But a pub-style lager beer adds something special and might just be my secret ingredient. You can leave it out or add an equal amount of chicken broth or stock.

black beans: Drain the beans, you don't have to rinse them but can if you wish. I prefer the size of black beans in this recipe, but you can substitute other types of canned beans like pinto beans, navy, or kidney beans.

 

freezing chili

Cool the chili down safely in the refrigerator and scoop into serving portions in freezer zip-top bags or containers. Defrost in the refrigerator or pop into a pan with some water and reheat on medium-low. 

serving ideas

Serve with toppings of grated cheese, green onions, sour cream, and tortilla chips. Other sides to serve with chili are Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins are simple to make with only 3 ingredients. The BEST Macaroni Salad with chopped eggs, pickles, and pickle juice in this old-fashioned recipe loved by all. Make a huge batch, it's always a hit! Or the VERY BEST Potato Salad with crispy bacon, blue cheese, crisp celery and green onions.

thicker chili

The best way is to remove the lid of the slow cooker or pot on the stove while on a heat source to reduce the liquid. Another way is to add a can of refried beans! It brings in more flavor and thickens your chili.
 
 

Nutrition

Serving: 10g | Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 404mg | Potassium: 632mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 924IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let's see it on Instagram! Follow us @Delicious.Table and tag us on your recipe photo with #delicioustable
Need ingredients or equipment to make this recipe? Shop Now Every cooking product recommended I own, use, and love how they perform in my kitchen. Happy Cooking! Lisa
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Delicious Table earns advertising fees from qualified purchases linking to Amazon.com

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jessica Robinson says

    January 29, 2021 at 3:29 pm

    5 stars
    Now that we are eating a healthier this chili recipe is perfect! Packed with plenty of flavor and so good on a cold winter day!

    Reply

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