By Jessi Andricks
Turkey chili has always been a favorite of mine, especially with my mom’s recipe. After years of not eating meat, this was one of the first recipes I made again and the very first “meat” recipe to share on my blog.
This recipe reminds me that eating healthy and clean means doing what is right for your body with healthy, whole, simple ingredients. Pair that with some spices to flavor it, and you’ve got everything you need for a healthy, hearty meal.
Turkey Chili
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground turkey breast
1/2 yellow onion
1 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp chili powder (or more to taste)
2 packets onion soup mix (use organic when possible)
2 cans red kidney beans
1-2 large (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
1-2 cups water or chicken broth as needed
*Use organic and/or local with all ingredients when possible for the healthiest recipe
Directions
In a large pot or skillet (I used a Dutch oven) add olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add in chopped onions and cook for 2 minutes until translucent, but not brown.
Add in turkey and brown slightly. Your turkey will continue to cook as you add in the other ingredients, so it is ok if it is not completely browned before you add in more.
Add the onion soup packets. Mix together, adding a 1/4 cup of water if needed.
Add in beans and tomato sauce. Stir in chili powder, adding more if you like it spicy. You can also add in a dash or two of cayenne pepper, paprika, and/or cumin to play around with spice and flavors.
You should be finished with your chili after about 10-20 minutes. You can eat it right away, or simmer it on low until you are ready to eat later.
Jessi Andricks is the founder of The House of Healthy and is author of Detox 101. Jessi fuses together clean eating basics, empowering fitness techniques, and expert wellness tips to help clients live the happier, healthier lives. Get in touch with Jessi at on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. She is a 2013 graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
“Package of onion soup mix”???? Really??
I have a problem with this for so many reasons, but mainly the fact that you call this recipe ‘healthy’ and then list a package of onion soup as an ingredient.
Ingredients: Onions, salt, corn starch, sugar, corn syrup solids, caramel color, hydrolyzed soy protein, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, yeast extract, monosodium glutamate, natural flavors, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate
Most of those ingredients are horrible.
Shame on you for advertising this recipe as ‘healthy’.
Carmel color alone is a known carcinogen.
Hi Rhue, we hear you and appreciate your feedback. As the author mentions, it’s best to find the healthiest versions of each ingredient possible to use in the recipe. And while most traditional packages of onion soup do contain many additives there are many healthier options available on the market like Simply Organic’s French Onion Dip mix or Frontier Naturals Onion Soup and Dip Mix! Both options provide a more natural option while still providing the simplicity and convenience of packaged spices. Or you can create your own onion soup mix to have on hand by mixing dried onion flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, himalayan or sea salt, and ground pepper (for en extra kick also add in some celery salt and dried parsley). Hope this helps!