Warm Up This Fall With Our Healthy, Protein Loaded Power Turkey Chili [Recipes]

Whether you’re tailgating, throwing a game day football soirée, or venturing out on a last minute camping expedition, there’s one food that always kicks ass this time of year — chili.

Using ground turkey, spices, and a couple of supermarket staples (and turkey bacon, if you want to get REALLY fancy), we’ve whipped up the ultimate turkey chili recipe. Not only is it uber-delicious with a fierce kick, but it’s JACKED with HQ protein, heart-healthy fiber, and antioxidants, courtesy of the lycopene in tomatoes.

And it couldn’t be easier. Follow a few easy steps, toss everything in, stir occasionally, and let it all simmer until the aromas engulf your kitchen. Voila — you’ve got a lean, nutrient-loaded pot of chili ready to roll for an entire week (or party, or group, or family) in 1.5 hours.

Healthy, Protein Loaded Power Turkey Chili — Ingredients:

*Makes 1 HUGE pot of chili that lasts a few days for a family and/or group of people. Makes ~10 bowls.

• 2 pounds ground turkey (I use 93% lean/7% fat)
• 1.5 cans crushed tomatoes (28 oz. cans)
• 3 tbsp. tomato paste
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 large vidalia onion
• 1 green jalapeño pepper
• 6 leaves fresh basil
• 1/2 cup chili powder
• 1/3 cup cumin
• 3 tbsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. black pepper
• 1 can red kidney beans
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can cannellini beans
• Olive oil (enough to coat bottom of pot)
• *Optional — 4 strips Applegate Farms Natural Turkey Bacon
• *Optional — Brown rice

Your call. The chili tastes best (and is more complete) when it’s mixed up with brown rice. But if you’re trying to cut calorie counts, feel free to eat it solo.

Make It:

Total Time: 1.5 hours

Servings: 1 HUGE pot. About 10 bowls.

• (1) Coat the bottom of the pot with a thick layer of olive oil. Place over LOW heat.
• (2) Chop up the onion and slice the garlic. Throw both into the pot. Let everything sit until the onions and garlic become translucent and slightly golden (~10-15 minutes). DO NOT let the garlic burn.
• (3) Add the ground turkey and toss it around so that it’s coated with the onion/garlic mixture. Let it sit until the turkey becomes a whitish color (~5 minutes).

• (4) Once the turkey is pre-cooked, carefully drain the excess oil. Don’t lose any of the onions or meat. Leave a little bit of oil in the pot for flavoring.
• (5) Add the crushed tomato, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper into the pot. Mix thoroughly until everything is even.
• (6) Chop up the basil and jalapeno pepper. Throw both in the pot.
• (7) Cover with a screen (not a lid) and let it simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• (8) Add all 3 cans of beans and stir profusely. If you’re using turkey bacon, throw it in also.

• (9) Let it simmer for an additional 25 minutes.
• (10) Enjoy. Throw it over a bowl of brown rice, or eat it solo if you’re looking to cut calories/carbs.
• Nutrition Stats (per bowl): 247 calories, 22g protein, 13.5g fat, 2g fiber

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Bryan DiSanto

Owner & Editor-in-Chief at Lean It UP

Bryan DiSanto is the Owner & Editor-in-Chief of Lean It UP, ACE-CPT & CSN, NYU graduate, ex-fat kid, and all-around fitness/nutrition nutjob.

When he’s not working on his (or somebody else’s) abs, whipping up Eggocados, or running a Tough Mudder, he’s probably off yelling at a Carolina Panthers game somewhere.

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