Healthy Turkey Chili with Hidden Veggies Recipe
This Healthy Turkey Chili with Hidden Veggies is a flavorful and nutritious twist on classic chili, featuring lean ground turkey and a blend of pureed vegetables to pack in extra vitamins without sacrificing taste. Slow-simmered with fire-roasted tomatoes, chili beans, and a splash of non-alcoholic beer, this comforting chili is rich in protein and perfect for a wholesome, satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 pounds 99% Lean Ground Turkey
- 12 oz can Non-Alcoholic Beer (or your choice of liquid)
- 2 packets Chili Seasoning
- 28 oz can Fire Roasted Crushed Tomatoes
- 2 cans Chili Beans
- 3 Bay Leaves
- 4 cups Chicken Bone Broth
Vegetables
- 12 oz bag Frozen Onions and Peppers
- 6 oz Frozen Carrots
- 6 cloves Peeled Garlic
- 2 handfuls (about 6 oz) Frozen Chopped Spinach (optional)
Finishing Touches
- 2–3 Tablespoons Hot Sauce, Lime Juice, or Vinegar (for finishing)
Instructions
- Blend Vegetables: Add the frozen onions and peppers, frozen carrots, peeled garlic cloves, optional frozen chopped spinach, and chicken bone broth to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, working in batches if necessary. Set aside this blended vegetable mixture.
- Brown Turkey: Heat a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. When hot, add the ground turkey and allow it to brown on one side for 3-4 minutes before breaking it apart and cooking it through fully.
- Add Beer and Seasoning: Pour in the non-alcoholic beer and add the chili seasoning packets to the cooked turkey. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, chili beans, blended vegetable mixture, and bay leaves into the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer Chili: Bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for at least 2 hours to develop deep flavors and tenderize the ingredients.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaves, then stir in your choice of hot sauce, lime juice, or vinegar for acidity. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with baked tortilla chips, shredded cheese, nonfat Greek yogurt or sour cream, and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, scallions, or chives as desired.
Notes
- The optional spinach can be omitted or substituted with kale for similar nutrition.
- Using non-alcoholic beer adds depth without alcohol; alternatively, chicken broth or a light beer can be used based on preference.
- Low sodium chicken bone broth is recommended to control salt levels.
- Simmering the chili for longer than 2 hours will enhance flavors even more.
- Adjust the heat level by choosing mild or hot chili seasoning and amount of hot sauce.
Keywords: healthy turkey chili, hidden veggies chili, lean turkey chili, low fat chili, ground turkey recipe, chili with beans, slow simmer chili
