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    Recipes » Soup

    White Bean Turkey Chili

    Published: Dec 6, 2021 · Updated: Dec 30, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    White Bean Turkey Chili ready in 35 minutes is the best for a quick, tasty dinner. Gluten-free, dairy-free soup that's simple enough for a weeknight meal but delicious enough for entertaining.

    white bowl of white bean turkey chili with avocado and silver spoon on straw placemat with napkin
    • About White Bean Turkey Chili
      • Ingredients
        • Recipe Cost
    • How to Make White Bean Turkey Chili
    • Tips for Making White Turkey Chili
      • Variations
        • Ingredient Options
        • How to Make Allergy Friendly
        • Flavor Substitutions
        • How to Fix a Mistake
      • Make Ahead Ideas
      • Storage Suggestions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Nutrition benefits of White Bean Turkey Chili
      • What to serve with White Turkey Chili

    About White Bean Turkey Chili

    I'm all about soups for filling, satisfying, and healthy meals when the weather starts to get even the slightest bit of a chill. It's so nice that everything is cooked in one pot and how easy it is to get protein, veggies, and fiber in a single dish.

    This White Bean Turkey Chili is no different, and it's a rockstar recipe in my opinion because it's delicious, easy, quick, and gets rave reviews. It's super fast to make but still tastes wonderfully home-cooked. It's a spicy but not make-your-eyes-water-and-nose-run type of spicy.

    And my favorite part: it's full of vegetables and oh so filling. Plus, it freezes beautifully and is very budget-friendly — less than $3/serving!

    So if you're looking for something quick to make for a delicious dinner tonight, this is it.

    It's an easy, one-pot, comforting meal you can feel good about serving your family or even just for yourself to have a nourishing meal in the fridge or freezer ready to enjoy at any time. Also, I highly suggest doubling the recipe to freeze for later or to serve for guests during cold weather months.

    onion, tomatillo salsa, measuring cup of water, green bell pepper, can of white beans, ground turkey, cumin, pepper, salt, small bowl of oil, and a head of garlic

    Ingredients

    Oil: I typically use olive oil, but avocado oil and even coconut oil will work in this chili recipe since you are only using one teaspoon. The small amount of oil adds a touch of flavor and ensures that the turkey and vegetables do not stick to the pot.

    Ground turkey: Regular ground turkey (that is usually noted as 85/15) is what I like to use as it is budget-friendly and has a good amount of flavor. Turkey breast also works very well in this chili but it has a little less flavor and it can be dry if you only cook the chili for 15 minutes. Note that if you use ground turkey breast, you'll want to increase the oil to one tablespoon instead of one teaspoon. I also like to cook the chili a little longer if using turkey breast so the flavors have time to infuse the turkey and keep it from being dry and/or flavorless.

    Onion & Bell pepper: Like most soups and chilis, I add onion and bell pepper. I typically go for a yellow onion and green bell pepper because they are more budget-friendly, but any color onion (white, yellow, or red) and any color bell pepper will work well in this White Bean Turkey Chili.

    Garlic: The garlic clove adds a little more flavor to the chili, but you can always substitute it with garlic powder if needed.

    White beans: Simply use any type of white bean you like. I typically go with Great Northern Beans or White Kidney Beans/Cannellini Beans. You can also use Navy Beans or even Garbanzo Beans in a pinch. Honestly, any bean will work so you can also use black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans you can; obviously, it will no longer be "White Bean Turkey Chili" but that doesn't matter.

    Salsa verde: Salsa verde is a salsa made with tomatillos, and it's the green salsa you see next to the tomato-based salsas in the store. You might see this salsa can be labeled as salsa verde, green salsa, or tomatillo salsa. It has a slightly sweeter, tangier taste than a red salsa, and it is delicious. Be sure to check the spiciness level of the salsa; they are similar to regular salsas.

    Broth: Chicken broth is what I usually use, but I often use water if I forget the chicken broth. You can also use vegetable broth or beef broth. The broth will give the chili a little bit more flavor but it's not noticeable enough to stress if you forget it. If you skip the broth, you might want to add another 1/4 teaspoon salt or garlic powder to add some more flavor.

    Spices: To give extra flavor to the chili, you add cumin, salt, and black pepper. Cumin can be omitted, and you can substitute cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for the black pepper. Or omit it if you want a more mild chili.

    Toppings: Some of my favorite toppings for White Bean turkey Chili are sliced or diced avocado, plain yogurt or sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, or chopped cilantro.

    Recipe Cost

    • olive oil 1 teaspoon: $0.08
    • ground turkey 1 pound: $4.99
    • onion 1 medium: $0.68
    • bell pepper 1 medium: $0.98
    • garlic 1 clove: $0.06
    • white beans 1 can: $0.99
    • salsa verde 16 ounces: $1.98
    • broth 2 cups: $1.14
    • salt 1/4 teaspoon: $0.01
    • black pepper 1/8 teaspoon: $0.02
    • cumin 1.5 teaspoons: $0.19

    TOTAL COST: $11.12 or $2.78/serving (Based on San Diego grocery stores 2021)

    How to Make White Bean Turkey Chili

    four photo collage with first photo of ground turkey, bell peppers, and onions being sauteed in a cream colored pot, second photo is the veggies cooked and an orange spoon in pot, third photo shows the salsa, beans, spices, and broth added to the pot, and fourth photo is of the finished chili with an orange spoon in pot

    Time needed: 35 minutes.

    There are only a few main steps to make this recipe, so here is the step by step on How to Make White Bean and Turkey Chili

    1. Add oil, ground turkey, and diced onions, and bell peppers to the soup pot.

      Cook, crumbling the ground turkey with a spoon until the turkey is done, about 10 minutes.

    2. Add in the garlic.

      Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

    3. Pour in the broth, beans, and spices.

      Stir well.

    4. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to simmer.

      Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until ready to serve. Enjoy!straw placemat with a fall themed napkin and a white bowl full of white bean turkey chili with silver spoon and cut avocado

    Tips for Making White Turkey Chili

    Variations

    Ingredient Options

    Turkey: For the ground turkey, you can use ground turkey breast or regular ground turkey. If you are using turkey breast, I recommend increasing the oil from 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon, so the turkey doesn't stick to the pot. Also, you can substitute ground chicken or ground beef if needed.

    Broth: Water is an easy substitute for the chicken broth in the recipe and one that I make often. You can also use vegetable broth or beef broth.

    Garlic clove: Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder in place of the garlic clove if desired.

    Veggies: If you do not like bell peppers, omit them and add an extra onion. Vice versa if you want to skip the onion.

    How to Make Allergy Friendly

    Already gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, and soy-free, Turkey White Bean Chili can fit almost any dietary preference. However, if you want to make this vegetarian/vegan, you can add two extra cans of white beans to add protein and substance to the chili.

    Flavor Substitutions

    Cumin: Because there are few ingredients, there isn't much you can do to change the flavor. However, you can omit the cumin if you don't like it because the salsa gives this chili a lot of flavor.

    Salsa: Additionally, you can use a different type of salsa to change the flavor. Regular tomato salsa will work. And you can also use mild, medium, or spicy salsa depending on your heat preference.

    How to Fix a Mistake

    Can't find salsa verde: That's ok! You can use any type of salsa. It might not be a white-based chili if you use regular, tomato salsa. However, it'll still be delicious!

    Forgot to sauté the onions or bell peppers: Add them into the chili whenever you realize you forgot to add them. Then cook for an additional 20 minutes to allow them to soften.

    cream-colored pot on white counter with white beans, spices, bell peppers, onions, turkey, and broth

    Make Ahead Ideas

    As with almost every soup or chili, this White Bean Turkey Chili is fabulous to make ahead of time. Simply make as directed and keep in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

    Another option for making ahead of time is to chop the onion, bell pepper, and garlic in advance and store in the fridge (up to 3 days) or freezer (up to one month) until ready to use. You can add them into the recipe when directed straight from the fridge or freezer.

    Storage Suggestions

    Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 weeks. When freezing, I like to freeze in smaller containers. This helps so you only need to defrost the amount you are consuming at that time and not a huge batch of chili.

    To reheat from the fridge, you can add to a soup pot and reheat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warm. Or add to a microwave-safe bowl and reheat at 60-second intervals, stirring in between, until warm.

    When reheating from the freezer, you can put the container in the fridge 12 hours before eating to defrost completely. Or defrost in the microwave in 2-minute intervals at 30% power (or according to the microwave directions). I like to transfer to a soup pot when the chili is able to release from the container. Then, add a little bit of water to the pot with the frozen soup. Reheat it over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

    white marble counter with a white bowl of white turkey chili made with salsa verde

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Nutrition benefits of White Bean Turkey Chili

    Beans and veggies provide you with fiber and nutrients. Bell peppers, onions, tomatillos, and garlic are all full of health benefits (click the links to read more about them). The turkey and beans give the chili satisfying protein to keep you full. Plus, soup is hydrating for colder months when it's typically harder to remember to drink enough water throughout the day.

    What to serve with White Turkey Chili

    Honestly, White Bean Turkey Chili is a complete meal on its own with the turkey & beans providing protein, beans providing fiber and carbohydrates, and the salsa, bell peppers, and onions giving you a hefty dose of veggies in each serving.

    If you want to add something extra, serve with some cornbread or a tasty dessert that's easy to throw together like these Almond Butter Banana Cookies.

    Final thoughts:

    This reliable White Bean and Turkey Chili recipe is one I go back to time and time again because it's simple, quick, and delicious. And I can adapt it to whatever I have in my kitchen.

    In fact, I try to keep the ingredients for it in my freezer/pantry so I can make it whenever I need an easy and filling dinner. Plus, I love that it freezes well and can be doubled to serve a crowd or have leftovers for later in the week.

    straw placemat with a fall themed napkin and a white bowl full of white bean turkey chili topped with diced avocado with silver spoon and avocado

    MORE CHILI RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

    • Pumpkin Chili
    • Lentil Chili
    • Butternut Squash Chili
    • Three Bean and Quinoa Chili
    • Sweet Potato Chili
    • Jalapeño Popper Chili
    white bowl of white bean turkey chili with avocado and silver spoon on straw placemat with napkin

    White Bean Turkey Chili

    White Bean Turkey Chili ready in 35 minutes is the best for a quick, tasty dinner. Gluten free, dairy free soup that's simple enough for a weeknight meal but delicious enough for entertaining.
    4.75 from 8 votes
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Meme
    Total Cost: $11.12 or $2.78/serving

    Ingredients

    • 1 teaspoon oil avocado or olive oil
    • 1 pound ground turkey
    • 1 medium onion diced
    • 1 medium green bell pepper diced
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 1 (15 ounce) can white beans rinsed and drained
    • 16 oz salsa verde
    • 2 cups chicken broth or water
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
    • Add oil, ground turkey, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, crumbling meat until turkey is done and onion & bell peppers have softened, about 10 minutes.
    • Add garlic. Stir for 30 seconds.
    • Add beans, salsa, water (or chicken broth), salt, pepper, and cumin. Simmer, partially covered, for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Serve soup into four bowls and serve with toppings, if desired

    Notes

    *Makes 8 cups soup.
    *Water, beef broth, or vegetable broth can be used in place of the chicken broth. To keep the sodium from being very high, look for no-salt-added broth.
    *Regular salsa can be used in place of the salsa verde (also known as green salsa or tomatillo salsa).
    *Use a mild salsa for a less spicy soup. Medium salsa will make your soup pretty spicy. You can also omit the pepper. Or add an extra can of rinsed & drained beans to reduce the spiciness of the soup.
    *Any type of bean can be used.
    *Feel free to omit the salt and add at the table as desired.

    What to Use in This Recipe

    Dutch Oven
    red spoon
    Spoon
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

    Meme

    This post was originally published on October 10, 2012. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.


    brown and white tablecloth with a grey bowl filled with white turkey chili
    (photo from the original 2012 post)

    Turkey White Bean Chili Nutrition Facts

    Nutrition Facts
    White Bean Turkey Chili
    Serving Size
     
    2 cups
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    319
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    6
    g
    9
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    62
    mg
    21
    %
    Sodium
     
    1061
    mg
    46
    %
    Potassium
     
    1131
    mg
    32
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    30
    g
    10
    %
    Fiber
     
    5
    g
    21
    %
    Sugar
     
    9
    g
    10
    %
    Protein
     
    36
    g
    72
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Vitamin A
     
    858
    IU
    17
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    31
    mg
    38
    %
    Calcium
     
    83
    mg
    8
    %
    Iron
     
    4
    mg
    22
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Doesn't this recipe look good?! You should probably share it:

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    Comments

    1. Michelle says

      October 29, 2012 at 10:39 pm

      Meme,
      YUM! White bean chili is one of my favorites! This looks delicious. Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday. Can't wait to see what you share this week! Have a wonderful week.
      Michelle

      Reply
      • memeinge says

        October 30, 2012 at 11:27 am

        Thanks! It's one of my favorites - soo fast & easy. And it freezes well

        Reply
    2. Virginia McNeil says

      November 25, 2012 at 6:07 pm

      5 stars
      Making this right now! Love this chili!!!!

      Reply
      • memeinge says

        November 26, 2012 at 6:37 pm

        so glad you like it!! it's one of my favs too

        Reply
    3. Sonali- The Foodie Physician says

      March 02, 2016 at 8:20 pm

      I'm like you Meme, I've never met a chili I didn't like. And this beauty here, with those lovely white beans and salsa verde (my fave!), is right up my alley!

      Reply
      • Meme says

        March 02, 2016 at 9:46 pm

        Chili really is the best!! Thanks so much, Sonali! xxxo

        Reply
    4. Kristy says

      July 16, 2020 at 1:35 pm

      5 stars
      I just made it,it is really good and easy,made it for my lunches,only thing i would next time omit the salt,seems little on salty side,can't wait to put some avocado on it mmm

      Reply
      • Meme says

        August 24, 2020 at 6:26 pm

        yay!! So excited you enjoyed it!! xo

        Reply
    5. kristy says

      July 30, 2020 at 12:33 pm

      5 stars
      Very easy and delicious Thank youuu

      Reply
      • Meme says

        July 31, 2020 at 2:49 pm

        Yay!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! This is one of my favorite easy meals 🙂

        Reply
    6. Debbi says

      October 25, 2020 at 7:05 pm

      5 stars
      Go to favorite...thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Meme says

        October 26, 2020 at 1:06 pm

        One of my go-to favorites as well!! Glad you like it too!! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Danielle says

      October 17, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      4 stars
      Wanted to try something different tonight and came across this recipe. My boyfriend absolutely loved it. My only issue was that it was a little to spicy for me but I did use medium salsa (all I could find) instead of mild. I added some blue corn chips and sour cream which helped to cut the spice and add some extra crunch and creaminess to the chili. I was hoping to get two nights of meals out of this but my boyfriend loved it so much there are no leftovers. Will definitely be making this again but with mild salsa. Thanks for the wonderful recipe.

      Reply
      • Meme says

        October 23, 2021 at 10:08 am

        Yay!!! So glad you liked it! I always double the recipe to have a bunch of leftovers 🙂

        Reply
    8. Leslie says

      January 09, 2022 at 5:58 pm

      5 stars
      This is definitely saved as one of my go-to winter meals! Chili is always good, but it’s so nice to have a healthier version to make. Of course, we make it less healthy (but oh so delicious) by topping with sour cream, shredded cheese and cilantro! Makes great lunches too! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Meme says

        January 13, 2022 at 7:59 pm

        Hooray!!! So happy y'all liked it! I think all soup should have toppings, so I'm glad you added all those goodies 🙂 Thanks for coming back to share!

        Reply

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    Meme (a brunette female) is holding umbrella and spinning around in front of the Eiffel Tower wearing a denim jacket, skirt, and blue shoesHi, I'm Meme -- a thirty-something girl from Alabama living in San Diego! Join me as I prove that living a guilt-free, healthy lifestyle can be budget friendly, delicious & fun!
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