This easy Turkey Chili recipe is made with 6 main ingredients, ground turkey, beans, tomatoes, corn and peppers. A flavorful one-pot family dinner!

There are some recipes that are so easy you almost hesitate to call them a recipe. This Easy Turkey Chili is one of those, and honestly, those are some of my favorite recipes on repeat.

This simple turkey chili has been a family favorite for years. It starts with just six main ingredients, comes together in minutes, and is packed with tomatoes, beans, corn, peppers, and lean ground turkey. Everything goes into one pot, then you let it simmer while the flavors come together.

And the best part? It tastes like you spent a whole lot more time making it than you actually did.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Turkey Chili

I originally made this turkey chili because I wanted a lighter alternative to traditional beef chili, but I still wanted it to be hearty, flavorful, and something my entire family would eat.

That last part is important. 😉

I wanted plenty of vegetables, but I didn’t want to spend forever chopping them. That’s where canned vegetables and tomatoes come in. Canned foods are an easy and convenient way to add vegetables, beans, and tomatoes to family meals, and they make this chili incredibly simple to get on the table.

In fact, this is one of those meals where you can have dinner started in just a few minutes.

Brown the ground turkey, open your cans, pour everything into the pot, stir, and let it simmer. That’s it!

And don’t let the short ingredient list fool you. There is a LOT of flavor happening here thanks to the chili beans, seasoned diced tomatoes, and corn with peppers.

A Family-Friendly Chili With Just a Little Kick

The original version of this recipe was a hit with my kids. I remember them both saying, “Wow, this is the best chili yummy!”

When your kids voluntarily give dinner a five-star review, you remember it!

The Ro-Tel adds a little heat, which I love, but you can easily adjust the spice level. If your family isn’t a fan of spicy food, use Mild Ro-Tel instead of the Original.

You can also put the toppings out on the table and let everyone customize their own bowl. That’s always a win in my house.

What You Need to Make One Pot Turkey Chili

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how simple the ingredient list is.

You’ll need:

• Ground turkey
• Tomato sauce
• Chili beans in chili sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Ro-Tel tomatoes and green chilies
• Fiesta corn with red and green peppers

That’s it!

The canned ingredients do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to flavor, which means there is no long list of spices or vegetables to chop.

Make It Your Own

One of the things I love about a recipe like this is that you can use what you have on hand. When I made this batch, I had a few bell peppers sitting in the refrigerator, so I diced them up and tossed them into the pot along with some minced garlic.

Neither is necessary for the original six-ingredient recipe, but both added even more flavor and vegetables….and it was a great reminder that you don’t always need to make a special trip to the grocery store to make a delicious dinner. Sometimes the best additions are the ones you already have in the fridge!

How to Make Easy Turkey Chili

Start by browning the ground turkey in a large pot on the stove.

Once the turkey is cooked, add the tomato sauce, chili beans, diced tomatoes, Ro-Tel, and fiesta corn.

Give everything a good stir, cover the pot, and let the chili simmer on low for about an hour.

The flavors have time to come together, the chili thickens up, and your kitchen starts smelling like dinner.

And if you need to let it cook a little longer? That’s totally fine. Just keep the heat low and let it gently simmer.

Serve it warm with your favorite toppings and maybe some crusty bread, cornbread, or tortilla chips if you’d like….because YUM!

Easy Turkey Chili Topping Ideas

A bowl of chili is basically a blank canvas, so have fun with the toppings!

Some of my favorites include:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Diced avocado
• Sliced green onions
• Fresh cilantro
• Jalapeños
• Crushed tortilla chips
• A little extra hot sauce

You can also set out a few different toppings and let everyone build their own bowl. It’s an easy way to make a simple weeknight dinner feel a little more fun.

Can You Make Turkey Chili Ahead of Time?

Absolutely. In fact, chili is one of those meals that often tastes even better after the flavors have had a little extra time to mingle.

Make the chili earlier in the day, refrigerate it, and simply reheat it when you’re ready to serve.

It’s also a great meal to make on Sunday so you have an easy lunch or dinner option during the week.

How to Store Turkey Chili

Let leftover chili cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

It’s an easy meal to reheat for lunch or dinner, and you can add a splash of water or broth if it thickens up more than you’d like.

You can also freeze turkey chili for a future meal. I love having a batch tucked away for those nights when I don’t feel like cooking!

Easy Ways to Customize This Turkey Chili

One of the reasons I make this recipe again and again is that it is easy to adapt.

Want more vegetables? Add diced onion, bell pepper, zucchini, or whatever you have in the refrigerator.

Want more heat? Add jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or your favorite hot sauce.

Prefer beef? You can substitute lean ground beef for the turkey.

Want it even heartier? Add another can of beans.

What to Serve With Turkey Chili

This turkey chili is hearty enough to be a meal all by itself, but there are plenty of delicious things you can serve alongside it.

Try it with:

• Cornbread
• Crusty bread
• Tortilla chips
• A simple green salad

Easy Turkey Chili Recipe

If you’re looking for a simple, hearty dinner that doesn’t require a lot of prep or a long grocery list, this turkey chili is it.

Six main ingredients. One pot. Lots of flavor.

And if your family is anything like mine, you may hear, “Can we have this again?”

That’s always the best kind of recipe!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is turkey chili healthier than beef chili?

Ground turkey can be a lean protein option compared with some ground beef, making it a simple way to lighten up a traditional chili recipe. The overall nutrition will depend on the specific ground turkey and canned ingredients you use.

Can I use mild Ro-Tel?

Absolutely! If you don’t like much heat, Mild Ro-Tel is a great substitution. The original Ro-Tel gives this chili a little kick.

Can I use ground beef instead of turkey?

Yes. Lean ground beef can be substituted for the ground turkey if that’s what you have on hand or prefer.

Can I freeze turkey chili?

Yes. Allow the chili to cool completely, then place it in freezer-safe containers. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

How long does turkey chili last in the refrigerator?

Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy it within 3–4 days.

What are the best toppings for turkey chili?

Shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado, green onions, cilantro, jalapeños, and tortilla chips are all delicious options.

If you like this chili recipe, be sure to try another family favorite…..Crockpot chili with noodles! Yes, I said…with noodles 😉

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