Easy Healthy Turkey Chili

Pressure cooker turkey chili might be the best turkey chili that you have ever tasted. It is made with lean ground turkey, beans and fresh vegetables. It’s spicy, fresh and delicious, and can be made in less than 30 minutes. 

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Super Flavorful Pressure Cooker Turkey Chili

The longer you allow chili to cook the better it tastes, unless you have a pressure cooker.

When chili is made in a  pressure cooker it can be ready in minutes, yet it tastes like it’s been cooking all day long. The high pressure in the cooking process allows the flavors to become more deep and complex, just perfect for chili.

Homemade and Healthy Turkey Chili

Homemade chili is almost always healthier because you can control  what you put into it. 

This turkey chili is made with less meat, more vegetables and there is very little salt. It’s filled with classic chili flavor. Whip up a big batch of turkey chili  in your pressure cooker and use it all week long. 

Here is What you Will Need 

Black Beans – If you are using canned beans, rinse them before adding them to to the chili to cut back on the sodium. You can also use dried beans that have already been cooked. 

Tomatoes – Fresh are my first choice. If fresh tomatoes are not available, use a quality brand of canned tomatoes such as Muir Glen tomatoes.

Ground turkey breast or dark meat. Ground turkey is lean, flavorful and will cook and brown up quickly.

Vegetables – Any variety of vegetables that you like.  Typical chili vegetables are peppers, onions, and garlic. In addition to those vegetables, add in any of your favorite vegetables such as shredded carrots, squash, celery.

Spices – A blend of chili powder or chipotle chili powder for a smoky flavor plus a touch of ground cumin and a big handful of fresh cilantro just before serving.

Fresh lime juice – Just before serving add a splash of fresh lime juice to elevate the flavor. 

Toppings – Top your chili with diced onions, sliced jalapeno peppers, shredded cheese, avocado slices, guacamole, Greek Yogurt or sour cream.

How to Make Turkey Chili in a Pressure Cooker

There are only a few simple steps needed to make this recipe. First, chop the vegetables and set the pressure cooker to saute. Next, brown the aromatics (onions, garlic and peppers) in the cooker and add the turkey. Saute until the turkey is cooked through.

Add the spices, tomatoes and beans. Cover the pressure cooker, set the pressure and cook!  Stir in the cilantro and a splash of lime juice and serve with your favorite toppings.

Make Healthy Turkey Chili on Top of the Stove

The steps to make turkey chili on top of the stove are basically the same as the pressure cooker. The only difference is that once the ingredients are browned, the chili cooks slowly for at least an hour on top of the stove. Here is what you need to do:

Chop the vegetables and add them to a pre-heated dutch oven. Next, add the turkey and cook until it is cooked through. Add the spices, tomatoes and beans. Reduce the heat, cover the pot, cook slowly for at least one hour!  Stir in the cilantro and serve it with a splash of lime juice and your favorite toppings.

Quick and Healthy Turkey Chili Tips

How to Store Leftovers

Place the chili in a covered glass container and store it in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

Freeze It

If you aren’t planning of using up our chili in a few days, you can freeze it. Once the chili has cooled off, place it in a freezer safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the chili in the refrigerator overnight and heat it  in a covered sauce pan over low heat until  bubbly.

Leftover Chili Serving Suggestions

Chili is one of those foods that can be re-purposed in so may ways.  Here are a few ideas:

• Serve leftover chili on top of a bed of greens for a salad 
• Stuff chili  into a shell and make tacos 
• Stir it into your favorite mac and cheese
• Serve it over rice or pasta
• Stuff into a baked potato
• Stuff it into peppers for spicy stuffed peppers 
• Fill an acorn squash with it  to make an easy version of Tex-Mex Stuffed Acorn Squash.

Change it up

• For a less spicy version, leave out the jalapenos or substitute them with a milder pepper such as a half of a poblano pepper.
• Substitute chicken for turkey
• Change up the beans, try white beans, black beans or a combination of beans
• Add any combination of vegetables that you like to the chili, such as zucchini, carrots, butternut squash,  or sweet potato

Try These Chili Recipes

• Bison Chili
• Tomatillo and Pork Chili