Print

Healthy Turkey Chili for Game Day – Easy Low Carb

healthy turkey chili - featured image

A smoky, hearty, and deeply satisfying low-carb turkey chili that’s perfect for game day. Packed with protein and bold flavors, this one-pot wonder comes together in about 40 minutes and will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93/7)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil. Set your Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil and let it shimmer for about 30 seconds.
  2. Sauté the aromatics. Add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns translucent and the pepper softens.
  3. Add the garlic and jalapeño. Toss in the minced garlic and jalapeño (if using). Stir constantly for about 30 seconds.
  4. Brown the turkey. Push the veggies to the sides of the pot and add the ground turkey in the center. Break it up with your wooden spoon. Let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to get a nice sear, then stir and break it into smaller pieces. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes total.
  5. Bloom the spices. Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper over the meat. Stir everything together and let it cook for 1 full minute.
  6. Add the tomatoes and broth. Pour in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, chicken broth, and tomato paste. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  7. Bring to a boil, then simmer. Turn the heat to high and bring the chili to a rolling boil. Once it’s bubbling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  8. Finish with vinegar. After simmering, remove the lid and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning. Let it simmer uncovered for another 2-3 minutes.
  9. Rest and serve. Turn off the heat and let the chili sit for 5 minutes before serving. Ladle into bowls and top as desired.

Notes

Don’t skip the spice bloom—cooking the spices in the fat for a minute transforms their flavor. Let the chili sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle. For best results, make it a day ahead and reheat gently. To thicken, let simmer uncovered for an extra 10-15 minutes or mash in a tablespoon of tomato paste.

Nutrition

Keywords: healthy turkey chili, low carb chili, game day chili, keto chili, easy chili recipe, one pot chili