Good afternoon! I can’t believe it’s already that time. Wow, today sure flew.
This week is a busy one loaded with home games and practices, so I have a feeling my next batch of meal plans will include a lot of pre-made meals like soups and salads.
I have always been a huge fan of soup, especially chili. I grew up with my mom serving ours over noodles, which I am now learning isn’t a southern thing. (She’s actually from Minnesota!)
Scott has become known for cooking a mean spicy brisket chili, and when I got the craving for it the other day I decided to take matters into my own hands by making a less involved, lighter version of it.
I have always preferred to use lean ground turkey meat in any kind of spaghetti sauce or sloppy joe recipe. Creating a new go-to chili with it was going to happen sooner or later!
This recipe calls for the crockpot and is meant for you to be able to throw everything in and forget about it for a few hours. Ahh, perfect for the cold weekends we’ve been having up here.
While it was cooking, I actually had to leave the house for a few hours and ended up getting home two hours past the time I thought I would. If I was home, I would have checked on the flavor tweaked it a little every so often.
The next day, I heated up the leftovers on the stove top, added a few more spices and got finally got my winning combo!
Ingredients
1 lb. ground turkey breast
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 large green pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 oz.) can of diced tomatoes
1 (14 oz.) can black beans (look for low sodium)
1 (14 oz.) can garbanzo beans (look for low sodium)
1 (14 oz.) can great northern beans
3 Tbsp. chili powder
2 Tbsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. cheyenne pepper
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1-2 cups of water (depending on how watery you like the base)
salt and pepper to taste
low fat grated cheese (for topping)
Directions
1. Brown ground turkey and chopped onions in a large skillet. Add the green pepper, jalapeno and garlic. Cook for 2 more minutes.
2. Transfer meat mixture into crockpot. Add drained black, garbanzo and great northern beans. Add tomatoes and half of the cilantro (1/8 cup).
3. Add seasonings and cook on high for about 4 hours or on low for about 6 hours. Serve with low fat grated cheese and cilantro sprinkled on top!
This recipe made about six hearty servings, which was plenty to last Scott and I a few days. I’m thinking I might just have to re-make this one to freeze and have on hand with the winter weather creeping in.
The best part? The husband had no idea how good it was for him. #sneakyhealthyrecipeforthewin
Enjoy! 😀
Question of the Day
• Do you like to substitute beef recipes with ground turkey? If so, how does your spouse or family respond to it?
• Favorite kind of chili?
There isn’t a chili out there I wouldn’t love. Seriously. Growing up, I always requested chili over noodles as my dinner of choice. There’s just something so comforting about it.
I have yet to try a white chicken chili, so that’s up next in my kitchen. Also, a taco chili sounds delicious. Can’t wait to try!
JillisActive
Definitely going to make this – thanks for sharing!! Sounds great 🙂 I always sub ground turkey for beef. I like the taste better and it’s healthier.
Also I think it’s Cincinnati Chili (but it has cinnamon and cocoa in it) and it’s awesome!
Heather
I agree. I actually miss it when I have to order differently at restaurants. That chili sounds yummy!
Caitlin F.
I was JUST looking for a turkey chili recipe to serve at book club this weekend! Is it super spicy
Miranda @ Lovely Wife Lovely Life
I love, LOVE chili. I just can never seem to find a recipe that isn’t too “meaty” or too spicy! Maybe this is a winner?!
Heather
I hope so! Let me know if you try it!
Ksenija @ With An Open Mind
What an amazingly easy recipe! Sounds like something I need to make a big batch of an freeze for the weeks ahead. Thanks lovely for sharing.
Heather
Me too! Ahhhh I just love soup!
Rachel
Yum, perfect timing with this – it just decided to get cold in Atlanta!
I love that you used ground turkey – I always use turkey or chicken in place of beef in things like chili or sloppy joe’s (sometimes even meatballs or burgers). My boyfriend can usually tell something is different, but can’t pick out what it is.
I hope you’ll share when you do make a white chili – I’ve been searching for a light and EASY recipe all over, but most of them are so involved!
Heather
I’m hoping to conjure something good up for ya! 🙂
FitBritt@MyOwnBalance
I love chili. It doesn’t really matter what kind. It’s all good in my book. I definitely substitute ground turkey for beef though! It’s a fav in our house.
cleaneatingveggiegirl
Since I am a vegetarian I do not use meat in my chili, but I LOVE adding in soyrizo (vegan chorizo). It gives it a spicy kick!
Heather
Great idea! I would love to try that 🙂
Erin
Love all types of chili as well! You should try a white bean chicken chili if you’re interested in a chicken one, its absolutely delicious and a has a kick! My family loves it! http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Main-Dishes/White-Chicken-Chili
Alisha's Appetite
Yay for soup season! Chili is considered a soup, right? This looks so yum!
Kelly
Your chili looks delish! We always use ground turkey in my family. We don’t eat red meat so ground turkey is a staple in our house. I use it to make my favorite white chili with wild rice. It is SO good! In fact it is requested every Halloween by our friends and family.
Kristy @ Southern In-Law
Yum! This looks so good. I usually alternate between lean beef or turkey, depending on what we have at the time. Here in Australia, our turkey mince actually isn’t very lean (you can only buy one brand) so it doesn’t make much of a difference
Amy
Thanks so much for the recipe! I’m always looking for ideas for lunches I can take to work….this will be perfect!
dee
*evernoted. thank you for sharing! 🙂
Kelsey
I think my mom’s chili is my favorite – only when she makes it though. We are from Minnesota, so it was ALWAYS over macaroni noodles, and topped/mixed with shredded cheese. I’ve tried to make it since, and it is just isn’t the same.
Heather
Glad to hear others grew up with it that way too! Must be a Minnesota thing! 😉