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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Stovetop Turkey and Vegetable Chili

    Published: Jan 3, 2016 · Modified: Oct 8, 2022 by Nicole · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·Leave a review

    Stovetop Turkey and Vegetable Chili is an easy chili recipe you can make right on the stovetop! It takes just 45 minutes, and is packed with fresh veggies and lean ground turkey.

    Stovetop Turkey and Vegetable Chili in two white bowls on a marble countertop.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
    • More Game Day Recipes
    • Stovetop Turkey and Vegetable Chili
    • Reviews

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    You are going to love this Stovetop Turkey and Vegetable Chili! It's simple to make in just one pot and is ready in just 45 minutes. No need to wait all day for it to cook in the slow cooker. It's a lightened up chili recipe that's chock full of fresh vegetables and lean ground turkey.

    The whole family will love this homemade chili! It's great for a weeknight dinner or game day snack. Though it's filled with fresh summer produce, you can enjoy this all year round since it also makes a nice cozy meal.

    Ingredients

    This healthier chili is made with all these fresh ingredients.

    • Ground Turkey: 94% lean ground turkey.
    • Olive Oil: Your favorite type of olive oil to brown the meat and sauté the vegetables.
    • Chicken Broth: Low sodium chicken broth is the base for the chili. You can substitute for vegetable broth if you prefer.
    • Tomato Paste: A dollop of tomato paste for extra flavor.
    • Seasoning: Chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
    • Veggies: A mixture of diced vegetables are the star of this chili, including yellow onion, garlic, red bell pepper, celery, tomatoes, and zucchini. Fresh or frozen sweet yellow corn is also perfect in this chili. I like to add a jalapeño or 2 for added spice.
    • Beans: A can of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained. You can substitute for your favorite type of bean, like kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans.
    • Corn Starch: Optional, for a thicker sauce.

    *The full ingredient list with amounts is in the recipe card below.

    Stovetop Turkey and Vegetable Chili in a white bowl.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    1. Heat oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the turkey, onion, garlic, celery, and bell pepper. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat, until cooked through about 5 minutes.
    2. Add the chicken broth, tomato paste, chili powder, and cumin to the pot. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, lower heat as needed, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 15 minutes.
    3. Stir in the tomatoes, zucchini, jalapeño, corn, and beans. Simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes. 
    4. For a thicker juice, stir together the corn starch with cold water. Add into the chili during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, stirring frequently, until thickened.
    5. Serve warm with your favorite chili toppings and enjoy!

    Expert Tip: Once cooled, you can store this chili in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Stovetop Turkey and Vegetable Chili in a white bowl with a spoon.

    Variations

    I absolutely love this Stovetop Turkey and Vegetable Chili as it is, however you can customize it to your own liking.

    • Use a different meat. You can swap out the ground turkey for ground chicken or ground beef.
    • Swap out the vegetables. If you don't like all these vegetables, you can change them out for your favorite ones. Not a fan of red bell peppers? You can use a green bell pepper. If you have carrots on hand, you can add those in. Get creative!
    • Make it spicier. For an extra kick add an extra jalapeño or even a serrano pepper. You can even add a dash of cayenne pepper.
    • Don't love spice? You can add slightly less chili powder and leave out the jalapeño.

    Serving Suggestions

    This healthy chili is perfect to serve for a weeknight dinner. It's also great for a game day get together. If you're hosting or going to a party to watch the big game, you can double or even triple this recipe!

    Serve it with your favorite chili toppings like :

    • shredded cheddar cheese
    • sour cream
    • fresh cilantro
    • sliced jalapeños
    • diced red onion
    • chopped avocado

    Don't forget the tortilla chips and corn bread for dipping in it!

    Stovetop Turkey and Vegetable Chili in 2 white bowls with cheddar cheese and sour cream.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

    Do you have to cover chili when simmering on the stovetop?

    No, you do not need to cover chili when simmering it on the stovetop. You should leave it uncovered and simmer for at least 25-30 minutes. This will help the liquid reduce and thicken.

    What beans are best for chili?

    The best beans for chili will hold their shape while simmered. These include kidney beans, cannellini beans, pinto beans, and black beans.

    More Game Day Recipes

    If you like this recipe, then you'll love these other game day favorites.

    • Slow Cooker Turkey and Bean Chili
    • Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
    • Slow Cooker Fall Harvest Chili
    • BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
    • Chicken Fajita Tacos

    To get even more recipes straight to your inbox, sign-up for the Fresh Apron Weekly Newsletter.

    If you make this recipe, don't forget to come back and leave a 5-star rating and a comment below.

    Print
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    Stovetop Turkey and Vegetable Chili.

    Stovetop Turkey and Vegetable Chili

    ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆ No reviews
    • Author: Nicole | Fresh Apron
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 35 minutes
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Category: Main Dishes
    • Method: Simmer
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Stovetop Turkey and Vegetable Chili is an easy chili recipe you can make right on the stovetop! It takes just 45 minutes, and is packed with fresh veggies and lean ground turkey.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 pound 94% lean ground turkey
    • ½ yellow onion, diced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 2 celery stalks, sliced
    • 1 red bell pepper, diced
    • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 cup diced tomatoes (cherry tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes)
    • 1 small zucchini, diced
    • 1 jalapeno, minced
    • ½ cup fresh or frozen corn
    • 1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
    • salt and pepper, to taste
    • 1 tablespoon corn starch + 1 tablespoon cold water (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Heat oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the turkey, onion, garlic, celery, and bell pepper. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat, until cooked through about 5 minutes.
    2. Add the chicken broth, tomato paste, chili powder, and cumin to the pot. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, lower heat as needed, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 15 minutes.
    3. Stir in the tomatoes, zucchini, jalapeño, corn, and beans. Simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
    4. For a thicker juice, stir together the corn starch with cold water. Add into the chili during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, stirring frequently, until thickened.
    5. Serve warm with your favorite chili toppings and enjoy!

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    Notes

    Once cooled, you can store this chili in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Nutritional values (per serving) are approximates only.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 bowl
    • Calories: 434
    • Sugar: 5.7 g
    • Sodium: 349.8 mg
    • Fat: 14.2 g
    • Saturated Fat: 3.3 g
    • Carbohydrates: 42.5 g
    • Fiber: 10.2 g
    • Protein: 37.7 g
    • Cholesterol: 78.2 mg

    Keywords: chili, ground turkey, turkey and vegetable chili, stovetop chili, game day recipe, football food

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @freshapron on Instagram and hashtag #freshapron — I can't wait to see what you've made!

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    Nicole | Fresh Apron

    Hi, I'm Nicole! I’m so happy to share all my recipes with you. I'm all about using fresh ingredients and creating simple recipes. Enjoy and happy cooking!

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