Black Bean Turkey Chili

Name: Black Bean Turkey Chili
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 2 1/2 pounds ground turkey; 4 Tablespoons chili powder; 1 Tablespoon cumin; 2 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1-3 Tablespoon hot sauce (depending on how spicy you want it (I used 1.5 Tbsp. of Franks Red Hot)); 1 large onion, (diced (they say to reserve some on the side for topping, I just put them all in)); 2 bell peppers (seeds removed and diced); 1 can beer; 1 14 ounce can tomato sauce; 1/2 cup BBQ sauce; 1 14 ounce can black beans (drained and rinsed ); 2 cups corn ((I used frozen)); cheese, (shredded); sour cream; green onion, ( chopped); tortilla chips; avocado

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This black bean turkey chili is one of the ultimate comfort foods! Not only is it healthy and easy to make, but it has the most incredible flavor. Ready in 30 minutes, this is definitely a keeper!

A bowl of chili with cheese and sour cream on top.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love Turkey Chili With Black Beans
Ingredient Information And Substitutions
How To Make Black Bean And Turkey Chili
Frequently Asked Questions
Tips For Making Black Bean Chili With Turkey
What To Serve With Turkey Black Bean Chili
Other Delicious Chili And Soup Recipes To Try
Black Bean Turkey Chili

Why You'll Love Turkey Chili With Black Beans

Chili is always a good idea, and it’s even better when it’s ready in 30 minutes! This is actually a very loosely adapted Rachael Ray recipe that my mom has been making for years. You know how once in a while you come across a recipe that is the magical trifecta of quick, easy, and so darn delicious that it becomes your family's new go-to? This ground turkey chili recipe is just that for us.

Now, I know a lot of purists out there probably saw "30 minutes" and did some sort of face-to-palm motion. And I get it. Chili is supposed to simmer for several hours to develop all of those amazing flavors. And of course, there's the substitution of ground turkey for what would normally be beef. You guys, I know. My inner carnivore is also shaking her head at me right now.

But bear with me and give this recipe a shot. It may buck tradition, but it brings a slew of delicious positives as well. First of all, ain't nobody got time to be simmering chili for hours!

Additionally, the use of ground turkey obviously makes this healthier. So I'm going to feel much less guilty about covering it in cheese and sour cream (just kidding, I never feel guilty about that! #noregrets!). But the biggest thing, forever and always, is the taste. While this may not simmer all night, you're still able to pack a major flavor punch. It's just one of many reasons to love this chili with turkey and black beans!

Hearty but not too heavy
Packed with protein and veggies
A little spicy (but not too much!)
Make-ahead and freezer-friendly
Delicious with toppings

A close up of pot of chili with a wooden spoon in it.

Ingredient Information And Substitutions

Ground turkey- Leaner than ground beef and takes on all of those yummy flavors. You can swap with ground chicken.
Olive oil- Because the turkey has so little fat, you need to add some to the pot to keep it from sticking.
Spices and sauces- Chili powder and cumin add loads of warmth and flavor. Worcestershire sauce brings the umami, and I love adding some hot sauce (Frank's Red is my fave!) for tongue-tingling spice.
Veggies- Dice up a yellow onion and two bell peppers, any color you'd like! Green bell peppers are more grassy and bitter, while yellow, orange, and red ones are sweeter.
Beer- Any can of your favorite, though stay away from anything too hoppy. Although the alcohol cooks off, you can use chicken or vegetable stock for an alcohol-free version.
Tomato and BBQ sauce- Creates a tangy, smoky combo that's signature to any good chili.
Black beans- I love the combo of turkey chili and black beans, but I've made this recipe with kidney beans and it's just as delicious!
Corn kernels- Frozen work just fine, and you don't even have to thaw them first. Canned corn is good too, but drain it first. The fire-roasted kind will add even more smoky flavor!

An overhead image of labeled recipe ingredients.

How To Make Black Bean And Turkey Chili

Step 1- Brown the turkey.

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven, then add the ground turkey. Break it up as it cooks until there is no longer any visible pink.

Browned ground turkey with spices added and mixed in.

Step 2- Add veggies and beer.

Drain off any excess grease if needed, then stir in the chili powder, cumin, Worcestershire, and hot sauce. Add the onion and bell peppers. Cook for about 10 minutes, until softened, stirring frequently.

Pour the beer into the pot, scraping along the bottom to loosen any brown bits. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to help cook off the alcohol.

Veggies added to the pan and then mixed in and simmering.

Step 3- Simmer and serve.

Add the tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, beans, and corn. Turn down the heat and simmer for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with your choice of toppings and enjoy!

Coren and beans added to the chili and then all of it mixed together and simmering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a no bean turkey chili?

Sure, but you'll probably want to add more veggies to help bulk it up. Diced tomatoes and an extra bell pepper (or jalapeno) will fill in the gap without changing the flavor. But I've seen recipes with sweet potatoes, and that sounds yummy too!

Should you drain beans before adding them to chili?

I do — and I rinse them too for extra measure. The liquid from canned beans can be salty and adds even more, well, liquid, making the chili a bit soupier than I like.

What other beans are good in chili?

Aside from black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, pinto beans, and any kind of white bean are all great options. Each brings its own flavor profile and texture, so it's all about what you like!

A close up of a spoon pulling a scoop of chili from the bowl.

Tips For Making Black Bean Chili With Turkey

Scrape all the brown bits off the bottom of the pan after you pour in the beer — that’s where all the flavor is!
In fact, scrape along the bottom every time you stir to make sure nothing is sticking. I usually stir every few minutes the whole time it's on the stove.
Simmer a bit longer if needed — it won't hurt anything. Just turn the heat to low so nothing burns on the bottom of the pot.
Ingredients to prep ahead- Dice onion and bell peppers. Drain and rinse beans.
Leftovers and storage- Homemade chili will last for 3-4 days covered in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months! Reheat on the stovetop until warmed through.

A close up of black bean chili in a pot.

What To Serve With Turkey Black Bean Chili

You can really put whatever you want on top, but I prefer sour cream, tortilla chips, sliced green onions, and plenty of cheese. Avocado is also a great addition! A few great recipes to round out and complete this meal would be:

A close up image of a bowl of turkey chili.

Other Delicious Chili And Soup Recipes To Try

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!