Best Turkey Chili Recipe with Leftover Turkey

Reasons you will love this recipe:

1. This flavorful turkey chili is a sure-fire winner; it can also be made in one pot and comes in at only 239 calories per serving.
2. You can have it on the table in less than 30 minutes, and leftovers freeze beautifully.
3. This turkey chili recipe with black beans is not only a perfect use for your leftovers, but it is also just as tasty if you substitute chicken.

Ingredient notes and substitutions:

• Leftover turkey meat: while you can substitute purchased cooked ground turkey, this easy recipe is a great way to use your leftover turkey dark meat and white meat.
• Black beans: while traditional chili is made with kidney beans, I like to use black beans in this recipe to give it a Tex-Mex vibe. Cannellini beans, great Northern Beans, and red kidney beans can also be substituted.
• Salsa Verde: which is made with tomatillos, gives this chili a unique flavor profile and makes it one of the best recipes I’ve found.
• Diced tomatoes and green chilies: (Rotel) this popular ingredient, with its zesty green chilies, adds a hint of heat and is an essential ingredient in this dish. (not pictured)
• Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes: while you can use regular diced tomatoes in a pinch, fire-roasted tomatoes provide a smoky sweetness and add an instant depth of flavor.
• Onion and green bell pepper: these healthy vegetables are the base of this dish and add a mild, sweet taste.
• Spices: it wouldn’t be chili without aromatic and savory chili powder; ground cumin also adds a smoky earthiness.
• Chicken stock: brings everything together in one delicious soup that will have you coming back for more. You can use chicken broth, or even turkey stock.
• Olive oil: is used to saute the onions and bell pepper.

Complete measurements are in the recipe card below.

Serving suggestions:

This dish is a meal in itself, and the only thing I usually serve it with is a slice of cornbread or maybe my broccoli cheddar cheese cornbread muffins.

If you want to add a dessert, my Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Pie is fabulous, or my German Chocolate Brownies or Peanut Butter Brownies would be incredible.

Recipe variations:

This recipe is very versatile. Instead of turkey, use leftover cooked pork or beef, or stop by your favorite BBQ joint on your way home from work and pick up some smoked brisket or pulled pork and try that.

You can also make my Salsa Verde Chicken Chili just by using cooked chicken.

Optional toppings:

The toppings are my favorite part. Choose as many as you like, or mix and match. I usually serve it with sour cream, avocado, shredded cheese, and Cheez-Its.

• Sour Cream
• Diced fresh tomatoes
• Avocado slices
• Grated cheddar cheese, or any cheese you like
• Cheez-Its, tortilla chips, or Fritos
• Sliced jalapenos
• Queso dip
• Diced scallions or green onions
• Lime wedges
• Fire-roasted corn
• Salsa or pico de gallo
• Shredded carrots

How to store and reheat leftovers:

Leftovers should be covered or put in an airtight container and will keep up to four days in the refrigerator;

They also freeze well and will keep several months in an airtight container in the freezer.

To reheat the turkey chili, put in a saucepan over medium-low heat and heat and stir occasionally until it is heated through.

Leftover chili is terrific, but if you want to get creative, you can serve it over rice, use it to make chili dogs, or add it as a topping to twice-baked potatoes.

You can also add it to mac and cheese to make chili mac and cheese or you can also make a chili cornbread casserole.

Recipe FAQs:

Expert tips and tricks:

I like the extra flavor fire-roasted tomatoes add to this dish. If you can’t find them, you can substitute regular diced tomatoes.

If you have picky eaters or little ones who might balk at the large chunks of diced tomatoes, onion, and bell pepper, run them through your food processor before you add your turkey. You could also use an immersion blender to chop the vegetables into tiny pieces or even puree them so they won’t be so obvious.

More turkey recipes:

For many, Thanksgiving leftovers are legendary and the best part of a holiday meal. Check out these easy recipes that also feature leftover turkey:

⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐If you make this dish, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

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