This post contains affiliate links.
Our easy Turkey Chili recipe is hearty, healthy, and packed with flavor and protein! It's loaded with ground turkey, beans, tomatoes, and bold spices, it's the perfect cozy meal that comes together in one pot.
My version of Deer Valley's Famous Turkey Chili
If you're familiar with Deer Valley Ski Resort in Park City, UT (my hometown!), they have the most amazing Turkey Chili that I've been in love with since I was a kid! This recipe was inspired. It's absolutely packed with flavor, and I actually love to make a big batch and reheat it all week for my meal prep. It tastes even better the next day.
If you want a little extra depth, add a tablespoon of tomato paste when you add the spices and a small square of dark chocolate near the end of cooking. It adds a subtle richness you won't be able to put your finger on!
Try more of my soup and chili recipes, like Dumpling Soup, Spicy Chicken Soup, Hungarian Goulash, Spanish Lentil Stew, Creamy Zuppa Toscana, Beef Noodle Soup, and Taco Soup!
How to make Turkey Chili:
Brown Turkey: Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a dutch oven or stockpot. Add the ground turkey and cook, crumbling into small pieces with a meat chopper, until cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Combine: Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the pot. Once hot, add onion, celery, poblano, carrot, and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until sautéed. In a small bowl, mix the masa harina and spices. Add the turkey back to the pot then sprinkle the bowl of seasonings over it. Stir everything well to combine then pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, beans, and corn then stir well.
Simmer: Bring turkey chili to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to scrape the bottom of the pan.
Serve: Top chili with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, diced green onions, and hot sauce, if desired. Don't forget the Buttermilk Cornbread, Jalapeño Cornbread, or Skillet Cornbread.
If you love this turkey chili, try my Classic Chili Recipe, White Chicken Chili, and Spicy Chili!
Turkey Chili
Equipment
- Dutch Oven , or large pot
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil, , divided
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 yellow onion, , medium, diced
- 3 celery ribs, , diced
- ½ of a poblano pepper*, , (sometimes called pasilla. They are mild heat.), seeded and diced
- 1 medium carrot, , shredded
- 3 cloves garlic, , minced
- 1/2 cup masa harina
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ancho chili powder, , or substitute regular
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, (I use rotel)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 15 oz can kidney beans, , drained
- 1 15 oz can creamed corn
- 1 15 oz can black beans, , drained
Instructions
- Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a dutch oven or stockpot. Add the ground turkey and cook, crumbling into small pieces, until cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.1 pound lean ground turkey
- Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the pot. Once hot, add onion, celery, poblano, carrot, and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until sautéed.1 yellow onion, 3 celery ribs, ½ of a poblano pepper*, 1 medium carrot, 3 cloves garlic
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix the masa harina, cumin, garlic powder, salt, chili powders, paprika, cinnamon and coriander.½ cup masa harina, 1 Tablespoon ground cumin, 1 Tablespoon garlic powder, 1 Tablespoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons ancho chili powder, 1 ½ teaspoons paprika, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- Add the turkey back to the pot and sprinkle the seasonings over it. Stir everything well to combine. Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, beans and corn and stir well.2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1 15 oz can kidney beans, 1 15 oz can creamed corn, 1 15 oz can black beans
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to scrape the bottom of the pan.
- Serve topped with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, diced green onions, and hot sauce, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Text me new recipe ideas!
Simple, tasty ideas sent once a week. No spam.
Follow Me
I originally shared this recipe January 2023. Updated September 2026.
I simply loved this even without coriander 🙁
I made this recipe because I was looking for a new Turkey Chili recipe, I saw it had 5 stars and over 100 ratings. I made the recipe with a few changes. Regular canned corn and additional tomatoes. It’s ok, definitely needs a little sweetness. However, I was really put off by all the Anonymous ratings – I feel like someone is pumping your recipes up on ratings…. That’s really not cool and lots of other options. Just my opinion.
I prefer more of a traditional savory chili. The cinnamon and cream of corn weren’t my favorite flavors in this. It was too sweet for me. That said, if a person would like to try a new different chili recipe this would be the way to go!
Recipe was good, I added in a can of tomato paste and about 2 tablespoons of sugar and it helped it not taste so gamey.
Think I could freeze it for longer than 2 months?
I’m sorry, but bleh! This is the only chili recipe I found inedible — and I’ve had a lot of different kinds! There was some kind of off-putting funky flavor I assume was the cumin and/or coriander as I’ve never had that in chili. I added green peppers, which helped a bit. Then I remembered cocoa powder adds an interesting flavor, and it did. Finally, in desperation, I added about 1/4 of honey which finally killed most of the funk. I don’t anticipate adding honey to chili ever again but I was desperate to save this. No way was I throwing out all those ingredients. Next time I’ll stick to my tried and true chile recipes.
Made this for a casual friend get together. We all enjoyed it! Next time I’d probably use the entire poblano and smoked paprika — just personal preference. I’m always looking for ground turkey recipes that are more flavorful so the beef isn’t missed as much. This is a very good recipe that does just that and more!
This was INCREDIBLE! The flavor are complex and so yummy, I think the masa really elevates the sauce. The creamed corn is such a cool idea too, I’ve never had a chili like that before. Thank you for this recipe it will be a new staple for me!
This is on repeat all winter. I love all the added veggies. The taste can’t be beat and the entire family asks for it.
Delicious recipe great flavor and family loves it!!