White Bean Turkey Chili is hearty and healthy with lean ground turkey, white beans, fresh lime and plenty of spice! It’s gluten-free and freezer-friendly!
This morning was so cold and foggy that I wanted to stay indoors in my cozy clothes and skip spin class.
I sucked it up and went to class, and quickly went from freezing to feeling like I was in a sauna for an hour. I walked out to my car glistening with sweat, which resulted in being much colder than I was before class.
I was cold to the bone by California standards, and all I could think about was a big warm bowl of this White Bean Turkey Chili!
This white bean turkey chili recipe was inspired by Cooking Light magazine years ago. It quickly became one of my favorite recipes because it was unlike any chili that I’d ever had before.
Most chili recipes are tomato-based and include pinto and kidney beans, but not this one. The base of this recipe is chicken stock, and also includes white beans which are creamier and more mild in flavor.
If you love tomato based chili, be sure to try my recipes for pumpkin chili and chorizo chili. They’re both nice and hearty too!
There are several white beans on the market, including cannellini (or white kidney beans), navy beans and Great Northern beans. Any of these white beans are viable options, but I prefer cannellini beans for their creaminess.
The white beans play two roles in this healthy white turkey chili. The beans give the chili the heartiness that every chili needs and they work as a thickener.
Half of one can of beans is mashed and added to the chili, then cooked down for 20-30 minutes until the chili has reached the desired thickness.
Ground turkey is my favorite animal protein to use in my chili recipes because it’s got a lighter flavor and it’s nice and lean.
The ground turkey works perfectly in this recipe with the creamy white beans, chicken stock and warm spices.
What really sets this White Bean Turkey Chili apart is the fresh lime juice and cilantro that’s added at the end. This chili is hearty yet light, with a delicious pop of freshness!
Serve it with sliced avocado, extra lime wedges and cornbread, and you’ve got a meal that will warm you heart and soul.
Turkey white bean chili is one of my favorite easy healthy meals to make for my family. Not only is it packed with protein from the ground turkey but the beans add lots of fiber to keep us full. And with a nice blend of spices like cumin, chili powder and cayenne, this chili has so much flavor without needing any weird ingredients.
On my blog, I share lots of simple whole food recipes like this that are family-friendly but also nourishing Today, I want to give you all my tips for making the best turkey white bean chili, from choosing ingredients to cooking techniques and fun ways to serve it Chili is so versatile that you can customize it to your tastes, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different add-ins.
Why Make Turkey White Bean Chili?
There are so many reasons I love this chili recipe:
- It’s budget-friendly and uses pantry staple ingredients
- Packed with protein from lean ground turkey
- Fiber-rich from canned white beans
- Can be adapted to be gluten-free
- Endlessly customizable with mix-ins
- Freezes well for easy meals later
- Reheats beautifully on busy weeknights
- Comforting, savory flavors the whole family loves
Chili is one of those perfect meals that pleases everyone at the dinner table. The kids devour their bowls while my husband and I get a healthy protein-packed meal. Using ground turkey instead of beef keeps the fat content lower. And white beans add so much creaminess, you don’t even miss the tomatoes.
Choosing the Best Ingredients
While the ingredients are simple, using high-quality foods really makes a difference in the flavor. Here are my tips:
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Ground Turkey – Go for 93% lean so it’s not too dry. Ground chicken is also an option.
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Onions & Garlic – I use yellow onions but any type works. Fresh garlic is a must!
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Spices – Cumin, oregano, chili powder and a pinch of cayenne provide the signature chili flavors. Play around with amounts to suit your taste.
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White Beans – Cannellini and great northern work well. Choose low-sodium if using store bought broth.
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Chicken Broth – Use homemade or low-sodium, not regular which can be too salty.
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Toppings – Make it fun with cheese, scallions, avocado, Greek yogurt and more!
Cooking Techniques for the Best Chili
The way you cook this chili makes a big difference in getting maximum flavor. Follow these tips:
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Saute the aromatics – Cook the onions and garlic before adding turkey to build flavor.
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Brown the turkey thoroughly – Take time to break up and fully cook the meat so it’s not chewy.
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Bloom the spices – Heating the spices briefly toasts and intensifies their flavor.
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Simmer, don’t boil – Letting the chili gently simmer marries the ingredients without overcooking.
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Adjust seasoning – Taste and tweak salt, pepper and spices until it’s just right.
Taking a little extra care with the cooking steps results in a chili that tastes like it’s been simmering all day!
Mix-Ins and Toppings to Make it Your Own
One of the best parts of chili is customizing it by mixing in different ingredients or piling on toppings. Some of my favorites include:
Veggies:
- Diced bell peppers
- Corn
- Chopped zucchini or squash
- Diced carrots
- Spinach or kale
Beans:
- Black beans
- Kidney beans
- Pinto beans
- Lentils
Meats:
- Andouille or chorizo sausage
- Diced chicken
- Shredded beef
- Bacon
Fun Toppings:
- Sour cream
- Greek yogurt
- Avocado
- Tortilla chips
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, pepper jack)
- Chives or scallions
- Hot sauce
- Lime wedges
Get creative and make this chili your own with whatever additions sound good! The great flavor of the base lets the extras shine.
Serving Ideas
This versatile turkey white bean chili goes with all kinds of fun sides for a delicious meal:
- Tortilla chips for scooping
- warmed tortillas for burrito bowls
- Rice or cauliflower rice
- cornbread or corn muffins
- A green salad
We also love using leftovers in so many ways:
- Stuffed into a baked potato
- On top of nachos
- As the filling for quesadillas
- Over a bowl of zucchini noodles
- Scrambled with eggs for breakfast
No matter how you serve it up, this turkey chili will satisfy!
Freezer-Friendly for Meals Later
One of the things I love about chili is that it freezes so well. Here are a few tips:
- Let the chili completely cool before freezing
- Use freezer-safe containers or bags
- Freeze for up to 3 months
- Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or in microwave
Having a stash of this tasty chili in the freezer makes throwing together dinner on busy nights such a breeze. I simply reheat a container while cooking some rice or baking potatoes.
My Family’s Favorite Turkey White Bean Chili
Try these chili and cornbread recipes too!
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
White Bean Turkey Chili
How do you make a white bean Turkey chili?
A delicious, creamy White Bean Turkey Chili recipe made with canned white beans, ground turkey, aromatics and spices – no tomatoes! 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.
What is white bean Turkey chili?
This wintry and warming White Bean Turkey Chili is thick, comforting and as spicy as you like. With ample lean ground turkey and creamy cannellini beans, it’s a lightened up version of your average chili recipe without sacrificing a bit of flavor.
Can you make white bean Turkey chili without tomatoes?
A delicious, creamy White Bean Turkey Chili recipe made with canned white beans, ground turkey, aromatics and spices – no tomatoes! This easy chili can be made on the stove, slow cooker or Instant Pot. Leftovers taste even better the next day for lunch!
Is turkey white bean chili healthy?
This turkey white bean chili recipe is hearty, healthy, simple to make, and packed with flavor. This recipe is pretty straightforward. It does need a bit of time to simmer, but most of that is largely hands-off, so this is a nice easy meal that’s perfect for weeknights. It also makes plenty of leftovers, so it’s a good option for meal prep as well.