Is there anything cozier than a bowl of chili? This junior league prize-winning turkey chili with beans is amazingly flavorful and delicious! 

A Junior League Cookbook Prize-Winning Chili:

This recipe for turkey chili with beans is my slight adaptation of one found in The Junior League at Home~a a recipe collection from Junior Leagues across the U.S.The cookbook calls this recipe “Favorite Chili Beans” and declares it the winner of a chili cooking competition. I’ve adapted this recipe for my family, and everyone loves it.

How Do You Make Ground Turkey Flavorful?

Ground turkey can get a bad rap, but with if you season it well it is absolutely delicious! One of my favorite tricks is to add dry ranch dressing mix, and it truly adds so much flavor to this recipe! After browning and draining the ground turkey, I simply sprinkle the ranch seasoning on top. It is best to season turkey meat BEFORE you add the other ingredients to the pot. After browning the turkey, I add the spices and seasonings and mix until the turkey crumbles are completely coated. Then, all other ingredients can be added and the chili cooked according to the recipe.

What Beans Taste Best In Chili?

There are several types of beans that taste great in this chili recipe. My go-to beans are Bush’s chili beans. They come in a chili sauce (mild or medium). Black beans, navy beans, and white and red kidney beans work also. I drain and lightly rinse the beans before adding to the chili.

What Ingredients Are In This Dish? 

• 2 (16 oz) cans petite diced tomatoes
• 2 cans of beans (I prefer navy beans or Northern beans, but you could use pinto beans or black beans)
• 2 lbs of ground turkey (you could sub this out with ground chicken or lean ground beef if you prefer) 
• 1 packet of dry ranch dressing mix
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped (frozen chopped onion works great)
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-2 tbsp chopped pickled jalapeño
• 1 tbsp plus 1 tspchili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 can (6 ounce) tomato paste
• salt & black pepper to taste
• 1/2 – 1 cup water or bone broth (beef broth or chicken broth)

How Do I Make Turkey Chili With Beans?

I love the simplicity of this delicious chili recipe, and I know you will too! To start, add olive oil to a dutch oven or large pot and brown your turkey meat over medium heat. Season the meat with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Once your meat is brown, add your chopped yellow onions and garlic to one side of the pan. Sauté until they are tender, then stir them into the meat. Next, transfer the turkey mixture into a slow cooker. After that, combine chili powder, cumin, ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bow. Add in the diced tomatoes and beans to the turkey mixture, stirring to combine. Finally, add in your small bowl of seasonings, pickled jalapeño, spices, tomato paste, maple syrup, and broth. The beauty of using a slow cooker or Instant Pot is that you can leave your soup unattended while it simmers, so your total time in the kitchen is only 20 minutes or less! 

How Should I Serve Turkey Chili With Beans?

If you have a crowd, a fun and yummy way to serve this chili is alongside these Perfect Baked Potatoes with Crispy, Garlicky, Salty Skins. In addition to offering a platter of these delish potatoes, I set out bowls of toppings for a potato bar. Chopped bacon, shredded sharp cheddar, sour cream & salsa are my favorites toppings. This chili is also wonderful atop rice or tortilla chips or simply eaten out of a bowl with saltine crackers.

A Crowd Favorite:

This soup recipe is one of my all time favorites to pull out anytime of year, but especially in the fall or winter! It is the perfect make ahead meal to take to a friend, serve at tailgates, or make on a weeknight. Even your kids will love this one! I love to serve it with cornbread and a side salad for the ultimate cozy meal. 

How Should I Store This Soup?

Like many soups, this Turkey Chili is even better the next day! You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days, or you can store it in freezer bags and have your freezer stocked and ready when a chili craving strikes! 

Can I Cook Turkey Chili With Beans in the Instant Pot?

If you prefer, you can cook this turkey chili in the Instant Pot instead of the slow cooker. Simply prepare the turkey (browning & seasoning) and sauté the onion, garlic & jalapeños) on the stovetop. Then add the meat, sautéed vegetables, and all other ingredients to the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes and allow to slow release. I leave mine in the IP for several hours if I can, as it gets better as it sits. See how I make this in the Instant Pot in the video below.

Watch me make Turkey Chili in the Instant Pot

If you try these, please let me know what you think! As always, thanks for being a reader! Be blessed, and stay savvy!