If you’re wondering how to transform your Thanksgiving or any roasted bird leftovers into a hearty, soul-warming meal, this Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe is an absolute winner. It’s bursting with vibrant flavors from smoky spices and fire-roasted tomatoes, perfectly balancing the tender turkey and creamy beans. This chili is not only comforting but also easy to whip up on a busy weeknight, making it the ideal way to breathe new life into your cooked turkey while enjoying a cozy, satisfying bowl of goodness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this chili plays an essential role, creating layers of flavor and texture that will make this dish unforgettable. From the fire-roasted tomatoes adding smoky depth to the tender turkey providing protein, these simple staples come together to deliver a vibrant and hearty meal.
- Olive oil: A splash of this helps sauté the onions to golden perfection, building your flavor base.
- Medium onion (chopped): Adds a natural sweetness and aromatic depth when cooked down.
- Garlic (minced): Essential for that punch of savory warmth that infuses every bite.
- Fire-roasted diced tomatoes (28 oz can): Bring a smoky, rich tomato flavor that’s far from ordinary.
- Diced green chilies (4 oz can): Introduce a subtle heat and complexity without overpowering the dish.
- Black beans (14 oz can, drained): These provide creamy texture and earthy undertones, perfect for chili.
- Kidney beans (14 oz can, drained): Either red or white work wonderfully to add body and heartiness.
- Green bell pepper (half, chopped): Offers a mild crunch and bright color contrast that livens up the chili.
- Cooked turkey meat (2 cups, shredded or chopped): The star ingredient, lending protein and leftover goodness.
- Chicken broth (half cup): Keeps everything moist and melds flavors with a gentle savory note.
- Chili powder (2 tablespoons): The soul of chili seasoning; it spices things up and adds warmth.
- Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon): Brings a beautiful smoky aroma that complements the turkey.
- Ground cumin (1 teaspoon): Adds earthiness and a subtle hint of citrusy brightness.
- Italian seasoning (2 dashes): An unexpected but friendly herb mix for an extra flavor layer.
- Salt & pepper (to taste): The final touch that balances all the flavors perfectly.
- Garnish (optional): Sour cream, cilantro, or a Tex-Mex cheese blend to customize your chili experience.
How to Make Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe
Step 1: Start with a Flavorful Base
Begin by heating the olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Toss in the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 to 7 minutes until it turns lightly browned and tender. This step forms the flavor foundation for the entire chili, so don’t rush it—letting the onions caramelize just a bit helps to bring out their natural sweetness.
Step 2: Prep the Rest of Your Ingredients
While the onions are gently browning, get all your other ingredients ready. Mince the garlic, chop the green bell pepper, shred or cut up your cooked turkey, and drain the beans. Having everything prepped means you can smoothly add everything to the pot without any hiccups, streamlining the cooking process.
Step 3: Combine and Simmer the Chili
Add the garlic, fire-roasted tomatoes with their juices, diced green chilies, drained beans, green bell pepper, turkey meat, chicken broth, and all the spices except salt and pepper into the pot. Turn the heat to high until everything reaches a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes. This simmering step is crucial for melding all those wonderful flavors together into a harmonious chili that sings with every spoonful.
Step 4: Season and Serve
After the chili has simmered, taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Serve it up straight from the pot, ready to be topped with your choice of garnishes. The combination of smoky, spicy, and savory elements will make this Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe your new go-to when you have turkey on hand.
How to Serve Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe
Garnishes
Elevating your chili is easy with the right garnishes. A dollop of cool sour cream balances the chili’s heat, a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro adds brightness, and melting a Tex-Mex cheese blend on top provides a creamy, indulgent finish. Feel free to add sliced jalapeños for an extra kick or a squeeze of lime for some zesty contrast.
Side Dishes
Serve this hearty chili alongside fluffy cornbread or crisp tortilla chips for crunch. A simple green salad dressed in lime vinaigrette can bring a refreshing counterpoint to the rich and smoky chili flavors. If you’re feeling adventurous, some avocado slices or warm flour tortillas can round out the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Think outside the bowl by using your leftover turkey chili as a chili topping on baked potatoes or loaded nachos. It also works wonderfully as a filling for stuffed bell peppers or even a warm dip served with crusty bread. The versatility of the Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe means it can adapt to whatever sounds tasty for dinner that night.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This turkey chili keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Because the flavors continue to develop and deepen after sitting, leftovers often taste even better the next day. Just be sure to store it promptly and reheat thoroughly before serving.
Freezing
Want to save some for later? This chili freezes well for up to 3 months. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, leaving some space for expansion. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Reheating
The best way to reheat your Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe is on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If reheating in the microwave, cover loosely to prevent splatters and heat in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating and to maintain that lovely chili texture.
FAQs
Can I use fresh turkey instead of leftovers?
Absolutely! While the recipe is designed for using cooked leftover turkey, fresh turkey can be cooked, shredded, and added to the chili. Just brown it a bit before adding the other ingredients to infuse flavor.
Is it possible to make this chili vegetarian?
Yes, just omit the turkey and add more beans or some sautéed mushrooms for texture. You can also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it fully vegetarian.
How spicy is this chili?
This chili has a gentle to moderate heat thanks to the diced green chilies and chili powder, but you can easily adjust the heat level by adding more chili powder or fresh jalapeños if you prefer it spicier.
What type of beans works best in this chili?
Black beans and kidney beans are classic chili choices because of their firm texture and ability to absorb flavors nicely. You can use either red or white kidney beans depending on your taste preference.
Can I double this recipe?
Definitely! This recipe scales up beautifully for larger crowds or to have plenty of leftovers for the week. Just make sure to use a larger pot and adjust seasoning to taste.
Final Thoughts
This Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe is truly a comforting hug in a bowl, perfect for chilly evenings or when you want to turn your holiday turkey into a brand-new dish packed with warmth and flavor. Give it a try and watch how something as simple as leftover turkey can be transformed into a vibrant, crowd-pleasing chili that brings everyone back for seconds. Your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup/Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A hearty and flavorful chili made using leftover cooked turkey, packed with beans, vegetables, and a blend of spices. This comforting dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and makes excellent use of turkey leftovers.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 fluid ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 1 (4 fluid ounce) can diced green chilies (with juices)
- 1 (14 fluid ounce) can black beans, drained
- 1 (14 fluid ounce) can red or white kidney beans, drained
- 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cups cooked turkey meat, shredded or cut up
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 dashes Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
- Tex-Mex cheese blend
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a soup pot over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and add the chopped onion. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the onion becomes lightly browned and fragrant.
- Prep Ingredients: While onions are cooking, mince the garlic, chop the green bell pepper, and drain the canned beans to prepare all ingredients for the chili.
- Combine and Simmer: Add the minced garlic, fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices, diced green chilies, black beans, kidney beans, chopped green bell pepper, shredded turkey meat, chicken broth, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and Italian seasoning to the pot. Increase the heat to high until boiling, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and garnish with sour cream, cilantro, and Tex-Mex cheese blend as desired.
Notes
- Use leftover turkey for a quick and easy meal.
- For a spicier chili, add extra diced chilies or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- If thicker chili is preferred, simmer uncovered longer to reduce liquid.
- Can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Substitute turkey with chicken or ground meat if desired.
