Leftover Turkey Chili is one of the best leftover turkey recipes! Easy to make, healthy and loaded with flavor – this is a must try! Make it in your crockpot , instant pot , or on the stove. This simple recipe is perfect for thanksgiving leftovers!
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If you’ve got Thanksgiving leftovers – this Leftover Turkey Chili recipe is a must try! Make it with white or dark meat – this recipe is great for leftover tough turkey. (And if you’re still planning your Thanksgiving menu – check out these Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes!)
Turkey leftovers can get pretty boring, pretty quickly… but this chili is anything but boring! Turkey gets cooked low + slow with tomatoes, veggies, and spices to make the perfect hearty meal!
Leftover turkey chili is a delicious way to use up extra turkey after the holidays. But how long does it last in the fridge or freezer? Here’s a complete guide to storing and freezing leftover turkey chili to maximize freshness and avoid food waste.
How Long Does Leftover Turkey Chili Last In The Fridge?
According to food safety experts, leftover turkey chili will keep fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. To maximize fridge life, store chili in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Leftover turkey chili lasts a bit longer than beef chili due to less fat content. But you should throw turkey chili out after 5 days even if it looks and smells okay.
Here are some tips for fridge storage:
- Let chili cool completely before refrigerating. This prevents bacteria growth.
- Use shallow storage containers so chili cools evenly.
- Make sure containers are airtight to prevent moisture loss.
- Store chili towards the back of the fridge where temperatures are colder.
Freezing Leftover Turkey Chili
For longer term storage, leftover turkey chili freezes remarkably well You can keep it frozen for 2 to 3 months and it will still taste fresh and delicious after thawing
Follow these steps for freezing chili:
- Let chili cool completely before freezing.
- Use airtight freezer containers or bags designed for freezing. This prevents freezer burn.
- Portion chili into serving sizes so you can thaw only what you need.
- Make sure to label containers with contents and date.
- Freeze chili as soon as possible after cooking for best quality.
Once frozen store chili at 0°F or below. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. You can also thaw frozen chili overnight in the fridge then gently reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
How To Tell If Leftover Turkey Chili Has Gone Bad
Even when stored properly in the fridge or freezer, leftover turkey chili can eventually spoil. Check your chili for these signs of spoilage before eating:
- Mold growth
- Unpleasant sour smell
- Change in color or texture
- Sliminess
- Rope-like strands
Turkey chili may also spoil before the use-by date if it was left out at room temperature for over 2 hours, stored in too warm of a fridge, or handled improperly during reheating.
When in doubt, remember the old saying “When in doubt, throw it out!” Don’t risk getting sick from eating spoiled chili.
Serving and Reheating Leftover Chili
Once thawed, leftover turkey chili can be reheated gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a bit of chicken or vegetable broth if the chili seems too thick.
You can also reheat chili in the microwave. Use a lower power setting and stir periodically to prevent hot spots.
For food safety, reheat chili to at least 165°F internal temperature before serving.
Here are some tasty ways to serve reheated leftover chili:
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese, diced onion, or avocado
- Serve over hot cooked rice for a chili “bowl”
- Stir in some canned or cooked corn kernels
- Garnish with sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips
- Dip with corn chips, bread cubes, or crackers
Make The Most of Leftover Turkey
Along with chili, leftover turkey meat can be used in soups, sandwiches, casseroles, wraps, salads, and more. Get creative with leftovers!
For example, try these recipes:
- Turkey and Vegetable Soup
- Hot Turkey Sandwiches with Cranberry Aioli
- Turkey Pot Pie with Biscuit Topping
- Turkey Salad Wrap with Lettuce and Tomato
Proper storage is key to enjoying your leftover turkey as long as possible. Keep turkey meat refrigerated and use within 3-4 days. Frozen, it will keep for 4-6 months.
With proper handling, leftover turkey chili can stay fresh and delicious for several days after cooking. Follow these fridge and freezer storage tips. And check for signs of spoilage before eating. Enjoy your leftover turkey chili in creative ways and avoid food waste!
What to Serve with Easy Leftover Turkey Chili
There are a lot of different ways to serve this leftover turkey chili!
- Rice/Quinoa: We love to serve our chili over brown rice
- Over a salad
- With cornbread
- With chips
- Toppings: Guacamole, avocado, and chopped onion are all great toppings for this recipe. We love to add cheddar cheese, crushed tortilla chips, or non fat greek yogurt/sour cream too!
If you’re paleo or whole30: Serve this chili over cauliflower rice, Crispy Sheet Pan Roasted Potatoes, or with your own homemade roasted plantains.
Our favorite way to serve chili: Over rice with cheddar cheese and green onions.
Here are some of our favorite toppings for turkey chili:
- guacamole or avocado
- fresh salsa (this Pineapple Mango Salsa is great!)
- tortilla chips
- cheese
- sour cream or greek yogurt
- olives
- cilantro
Substitutions for this slow cooker turkey chili recipe:
It’s easy to substitute ingredients in this turkey chili recipe! Feel free to customize it however you like.
Meat: This chili works with cooked ground turkey, ground beef, or chicken (ground or shredded)! We also have Ground Turkey Chili, Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Chili, and Pumpkin Chicken Chili if you’re looking for other chili recipes!
Veggies: You can use more or less of any of the veggies in this recipe. Feel free to use fewer peppers, more carrots, etc. It’s a pretty flexible recipe.
Beans: Feel free to omit beans in this recipe
Paleo/Whole30: If you are paleo/Whole30 – skip the beans + corn in this recipe.
Olive Oil: You can use any oil you like in this recipe. Olive oil, refined coconut oil, avocado oil, and ghee will all work.
Spices: Feel free to add more/fewer spices depending on your tastes. You could also add chopped, de-seeded jalapeno to the crockpot for more spice!
Leftover turkey chili
FAQ
How long is turkey chili good for in the fridge?
Can you eat chili after 5 days?
Can you eat 7 day old chili?
Is leftover turkey good for 5 days?