Turkey chili soup is a twist on traditional turkey chili. It's a flavorful combination of white chili and soup. It's thick, spicy, and satisfying. It's pure comfort food for a chilly winter day.
This hearty turkey chili soup will satisfy your cravings for chili and soup. It's filled with lean ground turkey, beans, and vegetables in a hearty broth. For a more traditional chili recipe, try our instant pot turkey chili recipe.
Why this recipe works
- It's healthy, quick and easy to make.
- Turkey chili soup is a great recipe for meal prep. Make it ahead of time and reheat it for dinner.
Here Is What You Will Need
Ingredient List
- Olive oil
- Lean ground turkey
- White beans
- Red bell peppers
- Yellow Onion
- Jalapeno pepper
- Garlic
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Chicken broth
- Cilantro
- Flour
Equipment
- A Dutch oven or a large pot
- Kitchen knife
- Cutting board
Here's how to make healthy turkey chili soup
Prepare the ingredients: chop the vegetables, measure out the spices and chicken broth. Heat the olive oil in a heavy pan or dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Step 1. Cook the turkey
Once the oil is hot, add the turkey and cook it until it is almost cooked through.
Step 2. Add the vegetables
Reduce the heat to medium heat and stir in the peppers, onions and garlic; cook until the vegetables begin to soften.
Step 3. Add the spices and broth
Stir in the spices,beans and broth; and simmer for 30 minutes on low heat.
Step 4. Stir in the remaining ingredients
Mix in the cilantro, and sour cream and adjust the thickness of the soup with 1 teaspoon of flour mixed in a tablespoon of water.
Note: This soup is a great way to use up leftover turkey or chicken. Cook the vegetables, add the cooked meat and continue with the recipe instructions.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
The complete list of ingredients to make this recipe is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients, along with ideas for substitutes.
Ground turkey can be substituted with ground chicken, ground pork or ground beef. You can also use cooked shredded turkey or chicken.
White Beans. Any type of beans can be used in turkey chili soup. You can use any combination of kidney beans, pinto beans, white beans, or black beans.
Red Bell Peppers add a touch of sweet flavor to the soup. They can be substituted with green bell peppers or orange peppers.
Jalapeno peppers. I like to use fresh jalapeno peppers, but they can be substituted with canned pickled jalapeno peppers. If you don't like spicy food, you can leave the hot peppers out or replace them with a tablespoon or two of chopped poblano peppers.
Chicken broth can be substituted with an equal amount of vegetable broth.
Fresh garlic and onions be replaced with ½ teaspoon garlic powder and ½ tablespoon onion powder.
How to store leftovers
This is one of those recipes that tastes better the next day, so be sure to make extra. You can store leftover turkey chili soup in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to three months.
Defrost the frozen chili soup in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it on top of the stove or in the microwave.
What to serve with turkey chili soup
This delicious soup tastes great with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, slices of jalapeno peppers, sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado, guacamole, crushed tortilla chips, green onions and a splash of fresh lime juice.
Serve turkey chili soup with a salad and homemade cornbread on the side for a wholesome meal.
Recipe Variations
- Add more beans and veggies such as diced zucchini, green pepper and less meat for a budget-friendly, and fiber-rich version.
- For a thinner version of this soup, add ½ to a cup more broth depending on how thin or thick you like your soup.
- Make it spicy, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper to taste.
Turkey chili soup FAQs
Below are questions frequently asked about making this recipe. If you have a question and don't see it below. Leave a comment at the end of this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Yes, it's very easy to make this soup in a slow cooker. Follow the instructions on the recipe card until the vegetables and meat are cooked on top of the stove.
Transfer the cooked ingredients to a slow cooker, and add the broth; cook for 3 hours on low. Stir in the beans and chopped cilantro. Thicken the soup with a slurry of 1 tablespoon of flour mixed with ¼ cup water. Gradually stir in the slurry until the soup is a consistency that you like.
Yes you can use dried beans, but they must be cooked before adding them to the soup.
You might also like these soup recipes
Click on serving size to scale this recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- 2 red bell peppers diced
- 1 clove of garlic diced
- ½ pound ground turkey
- 1 jalapeno pepper diced optional
- 2 ½ tablespoons [chili powder]
- 1 teaspoon [cumin]
- 1 cup [chicken broth]
- 2 ½ cup [navy white beans]
- ¼ chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon flour + ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a heavy pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground turkey and cook it until it is almost cooked through.
- Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the peppers, onions and garlic; cook until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in the spices, beans and broth; simmer for 30 minutes on low heat.
- Add the cilantro and adjust the thickness of the soup with 1 tablespoon of flour mixed with ¼ cup water. Gradually stir in the slurry until the soup reaches a consistency that you like
Notes
Store leftover turkey chili soup in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or freeze it for up to three months.
Store leftover turkey chili soup in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or freeze it for up to three months.Serve it with your favorite chili toppings such as shredded, cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado, guacamole, crushed tortilla chips, green onions, a splash of fresh lime juice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
Check out more of our less than 10-ingredient recipes here!
shelby says
This looks delicious and I love how healthy it is. It reminds me of a stew my mom used to make.
anne says
Thanks Shelby!
Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck says
A healthier way to start the new year...love it!
Lisa Kerhin says
Oh , this is a winner! My family will love it. I love the addition of the Greek Yogurt on top instead of sour cream
Karen says
Love this. Looks delish.
Carlee says
That looks like a perfect way to warm up on a cold day like today! Yum!
Caroline says
That looks like one delicious and hearty bowlful! Chili is just the thing on a cold day.
Sue Lau says
This is the perfect time of year for me to make chili- this one is going on my list!
Liz @ Books n' Cooks says
Bookmarking this recipe - it looks like a 0 or very low-point, hearty main dish for Weight Watchers.
anne says
Yes, it probably is Liz. You can adjust the beans and meat also and it's very filling
Gloria says
Since we are right in the thick of comfort food season, this is a great recipe. Not sure if you want chili or soup. You get the best of both worlds with this. Leftovers would be great too. I would make a double batch just to make sure I had some for another meal (or two).
Anne Lawton says
Yes Gloria! Leftovers are great! It tastes much better the next day!
CHIHYU says
So hearty and delicious. Perfect for colder months!
Renee D Kohley says
Love all those flavors, and it's simple enough to do on even a week night! Thanks!
Raia Todd says
Sounds delicious! Perfect for a chilly night. 🙂
Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli says
It seems like a great bowl of comfort and goodness. Great weeknight meal.
Jessica Robinson says
I really love a great homemade chili recipe for the winter months! And this one sounds like it might be a little healthier, but still delicious!
Isabella says
Chilis are so important to me during the winter I love and easy hearty soup recipe!
Charity says
Looks great! I love a really thick chili. That way the leftovers can be toppings too, like on hot dogs or baked potatoes.
georgie says
this is EXACTLY what I need right now - something cozy and comforting, totally struggling with the winter at the moment! I love dishes like this that make you feel good from the inside out!
Tammy says
Mmm so hearty, healthy, and satisfying! This looks absolutely delicious...I wish I had a bowl right now 😀
Annemarie says
Chili is my favorite, and this looks so good! I love that you used turkey, and the yogurt topping is a great idea.
lauren says
Such a comforting recipe with a lightened up twist. I've never had arrowroot before, what does it taste like?
Amanda Mason says
Love how simple this recipe is! And I love the different variations!! I love turkey chili but have never thought to make it into a soup!! So going to try this! You've made it super flexible with the variations! Loving that part!
Marisa Franca says
Yum!! You made the chili just the way I like it -- thick. So thick your spoon could stand up in it. I haven't tried it with turkey although I bet it is a calorie saver but it doesn't stint on taste. In fact, your chili is so hearty and comforting I'd call it a stew versus a soup. A great recipe.
Kathryn says
Yum, I definitely need to try out this recipe with all these amazing flavors and spices. My husband could happily eat chili every day of his life, he'll love this recipe.
Lorie says
I’m a big turkey chili fan. I’ve never added northern beans but that sounds like a great way to switch up the usual kidney beans!!
Krista Price says
This soup is the perfect soul warming meal for those busy weeknights! My boyfriend would eat this everyday if he could!
Jyothi (Jo) says
A perfect soup to warm up on chili days. Such a comforting soup and I love that it's lightened up version of chili soup. All I need is a bowl of this soup right now!
Ellen says
So perfect for the winter months. So comforting, flavorful and hearty!
tina says
This turkey chili soup is so delish!
Don Baiocchi says
Such perfect comfort in a bowl!
jennifer says
looks amazing, hearty but mindful of health! Can't wait to make a pot this week, we're expecting another cold front!
Stacey Crawford says
I love the combination of ground turkey and navy beans! So hearty and delicious without being too heavy 🙂