Craving a tasty, healthier twist on classic chilli? Try this easy turkey mince chilli! It's lighter, leaner than beef, and packed with flavour.
High in protein and low in fat, turkey mince lets you enjoy a hearty, guilt-free meal.
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This turkey chilli con carne is rich, smoky, and gently spiced-perfect for the whole family, even picky eaters!
Versatile and satisfying, serve it with rice, tortilla chips, salad, or wrapped in a burrito for a comforting meal everyone will love!
👩🍳 You might also like this tasty turkey mince curry recipe.
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Turkey mince is a lean, low-fat protein and a healthier alternative to beef mince.
- A blend of aromatic spices, vibrant peppers, and a rich tomato base creates a warm, flavourful twist on classic chilli.
- Adjust spice levels, add your favourite vegetables (sweet potatoes are great), or try different toppings to suit your taste.
- Perfect for batch cooking, it reheats beautifully with intensified flavours over time.
- Serve with rice, tortilla chips, or salad, or use it as a burrito filling.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Olive Oil - For sautéing the onion, garlic, and pepper, adding a rich base to the chilli.
Onion - Adds depth and sweetness to the chilli while providing essential nutrients.
Garlic - Adds a savoury taste to the chilli while imparting numerous health benefits.
Pepper - Diced peppers add texture, colour, and a touch of freshness to the dish. You can use red, orange or yellow peppers.
Turkey Mince - Lean turkey mince (ground turkey) offers a healthier alternative to traditional beef mince (ground beef). It's low in fat and calories, making it an excellent source of lean protein.
Chilli Powder - Adds heat and spice to the dish.
Smoked Paprika - For a unique smoky flavour and vibrant red colour.
Ground Cumin - It has a warm, earthy, and slightly nutty flavour.
Ground Coriander - Adds a pleasant aromatic note to the chilli. Ground coriander pairs well with cumin and other spices, elevating the overall taste of the dish.
Oregano: - Oregano is a fragrant herb that adds a robust and slightly bitter taste to the chilli.
Passata - With its thick smooth consistency and rich tomato flavour, it forms the base of the chilli, contributing to its texture and providing a tangy and sweet tomato taste.
Tomato Ketchup - For a touch of sweetness and tanginess to the chilli, enhancing its overall flavour. Tomato ketchup balances the spices and acidity in the dish.
Kidney Beans in Chilli Sauce - In this recipe, kidney beans in chilli sauce are used, adding an extra layer of flavour and a hint of spiciness. Use kidney beans in water if you prefer a milder tasting chilli.
Worcestershire Sauce: - Adds depth and complexity to the chilli, enhancing its umami flavours.
🔪 How to make turkey mince chilli
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Heat the olive oil in a shallow casserole and gently cook the onion, garlic and pepper until soft (3-4 minutes).
Two: Turn the heat up and add the turkey mince, breaking it up with a wooden spoon and cooking it until it has changed colour (2-3 minutes).
Three: Turn the heat down to medium and then add the spices. Mix in and cook for 1 minute.
Four: Add the passata, tomato ketchup, kidney beans in chilli sauce, Worcestershire sauce and a little salt and pepper if needed. Simmer for 10-12 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Serve with rice, tortilla chips and grated cheese.
Top Tips
- Opt for lean turkey mince with a lower fat content for a healthier chilli. This will keep the dish light and nutritious without compromising on flavour.
- Take your time to sauté the onion, garlic, and peppers until they become soft and fragrant. This helps to develop their flavours and adds a delicious base to the chilli.
- Adding the spices to the turkey mince while cooking allows them to infuse into the meat and develop a depth of flavour. Adjust the spice levels to your preference and experiment with different combinations for a personalised touch.
- Like many stews and chilis, the flavours develop further when left overnight. Enjoy the leftovers the next day as the flavours intensify, making it even more tasty.
🍴 Serving suggestions
- Serve the turkey mince chilli over a bed of fluffy steamed rice or wholegrain rice. The rice absorbs the flavours of the chilli and provides a hearty base for a complete meal. You could also use cauliflower rice for a lower carb meal.
- Pair the chilli with crispy tortilla chips for a satisfying crunch, or make a bowl of nachos!
- For a hearty twist, serve over baked potatoes. The soft and creamy potato contrasts beautifully with the bold flavours of the chilli.
- A simple green salad with a zesty dressing provides a light and refreshing contrast to the rich and spicy chilli.
- Set up a toppings bar and allow your guests to customise their chilli. Offer a variety of toppings such as grated cheddar cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, chopped fresh coriander, or a squeeze of lime juice. These toppings add extra layers of flavour and texture to the dish.
- Serve warm crusty bread on the side to mop up the delicious sauce.
📖 Variations
- If you prefer a spicier chilli, amp up the heat by adding extra chilli powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Adjust the spice level to suit your taste buds.
- Up the veggies and add more peppers, diced courgette, or spinach.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the turkey mince with plant-based alternatives like soy mince, lentils, or a combination of beans such as black beans and pinto beans. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Make the chilli in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This allows the flavours to develop slowly and creates a tender and flavourful dish.
- Give your chilli a Tex-Mex twist by adding sweetcorn, diced green chilies, and a squeeze of lime juice. The sweet corn and tangy lime add a vibrant and fresh element to the dish.
- To add depth and richness to the chilli, incorporate a tablespoon of tomato paste or a small amount of dark chocolate. The tomato paste intensifies the tomato flavour, while the chocolate adds a subtle richness and depth to the sauce.
🥡 Storage
Store - Allow the Turkey Mince Chilli to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Place the container in the fridge. It can be stored for 3-4 days.
Reheat - To reheat, you can use either the hob (stovetop) or microwave. If using the hob, transfer the chilli to a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If using the microwave, place the chilli in a microwave-safe dish, cover it, and heat in intervals, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated.
Freeze - Once the chilli has cooled completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can substitute turkey mince with chicken mince in the recipe. It will alter the flavour slightly, but the dish will still be delicious. Cooking time will remain the same.
Turkey Mince Chilli freezes well, making it a convenient option for meal prep. Once cooked and cooled, portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some headspace for expansion. Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
The spice level can be adjusted according to your preference. If you prefer a milder chilli, reduce the amount of chilli powder or omit it altogether. For a spicier kick, increase the amount of chilli powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Turkey Mince Chilli is a great option for feeding a crowd. Simply double or triple the recipe, adjusting the ingredient quantities accordingly. It can be easily scaled up to accommodate the number of servings you need.
Chopped carrots, corn, courgette, or even diced sweet potatoes can be great additions. Just ensure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the vegetables are cooked to your liking.
Yes, turkey mince is healthy. It's a lean source of protein, low in fat and calories, and rich in nutrients like B vitamins, selenium, and zinc. Opt for lean turkey mince and healthy cooking methods for the best benefits.
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Recipe
Turkey Mince Chilli Recipe
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Equipment
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Onion peeled and finely chopped
- 3 Garlic Cloves peeled and finely chopped
- 1 Pepper (red, yellow or orange) diced
- 500 g Turkey Mince
- ½ teaspoon Chilli Powder
- 2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 400 g Passata
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Ketchup
- 400 g Kidney Beans in Chilli Sauce
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a shallow casserole and gently cook the onion, garlic and pepper until soft (3-4 minutes).1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 Onion, 3 Garlic Cloves, 1 Pepper (red, yellow or orange)
- Turn the heat up and add the turkey mince, breaking it up with a wooden spoon and cooking it until it has changed colour (2-3 minutes).500 g Turkey Mince
- Turn the heat down to medium and then add the spices. Mix in and cook for 1 minute.½ teaspoon Chilli Powder, 2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika, 2 teaspoon Ground Cumin, 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander, 1 teaspoon Oregano
- Add the passata, tomato ketchup, kidney beans in chilli sauce, Worcestershire sauce and a little salt and pepper if needed. Simmer for 10-12 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Serve with rice, tortilla chips and grated cheese.400 g Passata, 2 tablespoon Tomato Ketchup, 400 g Kidney Beans in Chilli Sauce, ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, Salt and Pepper
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier chilli, amp up the heat by adding extra chilli powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Adjust the spice level to suit your taste buds.
- Up the veggies and add more peppers, diced courgette, or spinach.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the turkey mince with plant-based alternatives like soy mince, lentils, or a combination of beans such as black beans and pinto beans. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Make the chilli in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This allows the flavours to develop slowly and creates a tender and flavourful dish.
- Give your chilli a Tex-Mex twist by adding sweetcorn, diced green chilies, and a squeeze of lime juice. The sweet corn and tangy lime add a vibrant and fresh element to the dish.
Ava M says
Made it last night! Hearty and satisfying, this recipe is packed with bold flavors and lean protein. A wholesome and delicious twist on a classic comfort food.
Biana says
What a great idea to make chili with turkey! So simple and delicious.
Mahy says
I love chillli with mince meat. And turkey is a great option for this type of a dish. Fantastic instructions, too!
Carrie Robinson says
This looks so delicious and hearty! And I love that it is healthier too. Going to make this for my family asap. 🙂
Kate says
I love how the turkey makes this chili not only healthier, but tastier too!