Healthy Chili Recipe

Picture a steaming bowl of chili, its rich aroma filling your kitchen with warmth and comfort.

This healthy chili recipe isn’t only a breeze to make but also a hearty delight that feels like a cozy hug in a bowl.

As the lean turkey and vibrant vegetables simmer together, they transform into a flavorful masterpiece.

Let’s bring this delicious and nourishing dish to life.

Kitchen Tools Required

• 1 large pot
• 1 wooden spoon
• 1 cutting board
• 1 chef’s knife
• 1 set of measuring cups
• 1 set of measuring spoons

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Cook & Prep Time

To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking the Healthy Chili Recipe, follow this timeline:

1. Reading & Preparation (5 minutes)
   • Read through the entire recipe to familiarize yourself with the steps and ingredients.
   • Gather all the necessary tools and ingredients listed in the recipe.
2. Prep Work (10 minutes)
   • Dice the onion, bell pepper, and carrot.
   • Mince the garlic.
   • Chop the fresh cilantro.
3. Cooking (40 minutes)
   • Minute 0-5: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
   • Minute 5-10: Add onion, garlic, bell pepper, and carrot. Sauté until softened.
   • Minute 10-20: Add ground turkey and cook until browned.
   • Minute 20-25: Stir in black beans, kidney beans, and crushed tomatoes.
   • Minute 25-30: Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
   • Minute 30-32: Pour in water and bring the mixture to a boil.
   • Minute 32-62: Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Finishing Touches (3 minutes)
   • Minute 62-65: Stir in lime juice and fresh cilantro.
5. Resting Time (10 minutes)
   • Allow chili to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.

Adjust as needed based on your pace and any additional garnishes you might want to add.

Recipe Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add onion, garlic, bell pepper, and carrot, sautéing until softened.

Add ground turkey and cook until browned.

Stir in black beans, kidney beans, and crushed tomatoes.

Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper, mixing well.

Pour in water and bring the mixture to a boil.

Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in lime juice and fresh cilantro.

Allow chili to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Serving Tips

• Whole Grain Bread: Perfect for dipping and soaking up the rich flavors of the chili.
• Brown Rice: Offers a hearty and nutritious base to complement the chili.
• Tortilla Chips: Adds a satisfying crunch and can be used to scoop up the chili.
• Avocado Slices: Provides a creamy texture and balances the spiciness of the dish.
• Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: Adds a cool, tangy contrast to the warm chili.

Storage

To store leftover chili, allow it to cool completely.

Then transfer to airtight containers.

Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months for future enjoyment.

Freezing

To freeze chili, let it cool completely.

Then, portion it into airtight containers, leaving room for expansion.

Label with the date.

Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To reheat chili, place it in a pot over medium heat.

Stir occasionally until warmed through.

Alternatively, microwave in a covered dish.

Stir every minute to guarantee even heating.

Final Thoughts

Remember that making this healthy chili recipe isn’t only simple but also customizable.

You can adjust the spice level to suit your taste preferences or add additional vegetables for more nutrients.

It’s a perfect dish to prepare in advance, as the flavors deepen over time.

Enjoy this hearty meal with your choice of whole grain bread or brown rice for a satisfying and nutritious experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use a Different Type of Meat Instead of Ground Turkey?

You can definitely substitute ground turkey with lean ground beef or chicken. Both options provide protein, though beef offers more iron and vitamin B12. Ascertain the meat is lean to maintain the recipe’s healthy focus.

How Can I Make the Chili Vegetarian or Vegan?

To make the chili vegetarian or vegan, replace ground turkey with plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh. Guarantee nutrient balance by maintaining protein levels with beans and adding vegetables like mushrooms for a rich, savory flavor.

What Are Some Alternative Toppings to Serve With the Chili?

You can enhance your chili with avocado slices for healthy fats, Greek yogurt as a protein-rich alternative to sour cream, or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Each topping boosts nutritional value while complementing the dish’s taste.

Is It Possible to Cook the Chili in a Slow Cooker?

You can cook chili in a slow cooker, enhancing flavors and nutrient retention. Simply sauté the vegetables and turkey first, then transfer to the slow cooker with remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

How Can I Reduce the Sodium Content in This Recipe?

You can reduce sodium by using low-sodium canned beans and tomatoes. Additionally, cut back on salt and boost flavor with extra herbs and spices like cumin and paprika. Rinsing beans thoroughly also helps.

Healthy Chili Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Resting Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

• 1 Large pot
• 1 Wooden spoon
• 1 Cutting board
• 1 Chef's knife
• 1 Measuring cups
• 1 Measuring spoons

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 medium bell pepper diced
• 1 medium carrot diced
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 can kidney beans drained and rinsed
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped

Instructions

 

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add onion, garlic, bell pepper, and carrot, sautéing until softened.
• Add ground turkey and cook until browned.
• Stir in black beans, kidney beans, and crushed tomatoes.
• Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper, mixing well.
• Pour in water and bring the mixture to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in lime juice and fresh cilantro.
• Allow chili to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a richer flavor, consider making the chili one day in advance as it allows the spices to meld together, enhancing the taste. Adjust the level of spiciness by adding more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper if desired. Additionally, serve with whole grain bread or over brown rice for a complete meal.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Cynthia Weatherford

Cynthia Weatherford is a seasoned chef and culinary enthusiast who serves as the Recipe creator of Somonday. With decades of experience in the kitchen and a passion for exploring diverse cuisines, Cynthia brings a blend of creativity and technique to every dish. Known for transforming simple ingredients into show-stopping meals, Cynthia believes that cooking is an art form anyone can master. Dedicated to inspiring home cooks, Cynthia shares approachable recipes, pro tips, and culinary wisdom to make every meal memorable.