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A bowl of hearty bean chili with avocado and warm flatbread

Recipes · Recipe

Turkey and Black Bean Chili

A thick, cozy chili you can make in one pot in about 45 minutes. It feeds a crowd and tastes better the next day.

HealthStylz Kitchen
· 2 min read

Photo: Magda Ehlers

The short version

  • Rinse canned beans to wash away extra salt.
  • Cook ground turkey to 165°F.
  • One cup of black beans has 15 g of fiber.

Protein Nutrition

Clean Protein & Satiety Meal Profile

Complete amino acid profile and leucine content that rebuilds tissue and keeps appetite steady.

  1. Complete Essential AminosTissue repair block 28g protein
  2. Leucine Synthesis TriggerMuscle protein synthesis 2.8g leucine
  3. Extended Satiety WindowHunger hormone clearing 4.5 hrs full
  4. Clean Low Glycemic CurveSteady energy flow Low glycemic

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition & USDA Dietary Guidelines.

Prep 15 min Cook 35 min Serves 6

You'll need

How to make it

  1. Warm the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion and bell pepper for 5 minutes, until soft.
  2. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
  3. Add the ground turkey. Break it up with a spoon and cook 6 to 8 minutes, until no pink remains.
  4. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika and oregano. Cook 1 minute.
  5. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans and broth. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low.
  6. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring now and then, until thick. Add the corn for the last 5 minutes.
  7. Check that the turkey is at least 165°F. Stir in the lime juice, then taste and add salt and pepper.
  8. Ladle into bowls and add toppings.

Chili is one of the easiest ways to feed a big family on a budget. This one uses lean ground turkey, black beans, tomatoes and a handful of spices. It simmers in one pot while you set the table. Serve it with brown rice, a baked sweet potato or a slice of whole-grain bread. Top with plain Greek yogurt, a little cheese, or sliced avocado.

Why black beans

Cleveland Clinic says one cup of cooked black beans has 15 grams of protein. MedlinePlus says one cup has 15 grams of fiber, which is over half the daily amount for most adults. MedlinePlus also says eating more beans and other legumes as part of a healthy diet can help lower blood sugar and blood pressure.

Rinse the beans

Canned beans are ready to eat, but both MedlinePlus and Cleveland Clinic say to drain and rinse them first. That washes away some of the extra salt. Cleveland Clinic says rinsing can also help with gas and bloating. If beans upset your stomach, start with small servings and eat them often so your body gets used to them.

Cook the turkey safely

The CDC says ground turkey and ground chicken are safe at 165°F inside. Color can fool you, so check with a food thermometer. Use a separate cutting board for raw meat. Put leftovers in the fridge within 2 hours. Cleveland Clinic says leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat until steaming hot.

Make it your own

  • For little ones, go easy on the chili powder and pass hot sauce at the table.
  • Stir in a cup of frozen corn or chopped zucchini for extra veggies.
  • Want it vegetarian? Skip the turkey and add a third can of beans and extra vegetables.

Where this comes from