Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Large Dutch oven or soup pot Ideal for making chili on the stovetop. It retains heat well and allows flavors to develop deeply.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula For breaking up and stirring the ground turkey as it browns.
Cutting board and chef’s knife Essential for prepping your veggies.
Crockpot or slow cooker If you want to make this into a crock pot turkey chili or slow cooker turkey chili version, this is your go-to appliance.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion diced
4 garlic cloves minced
1 pound ground turkey lean, ideally 93% or 85% lean for best flavor
1 large sweet potato peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water, if needed
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for heat
Salt and pepper to taste
Juice of ½ lime for brightness
Fresh cilantro for garnish
Optional toppings: Greek yogurt or sour cream shredded cheese, sliced avocado, jalapeños

Start by heating the olive oil in your Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add the ground turkey and season with a little salt and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to break it up and cook until it's no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. You can use ground chicken here if you're looking for a slight variation—this also works great if you’re after a ground chicken chili recipe instead.

Once the turkey is cooked, stir in the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Let the spices bloom for a minute before adding the sweet potatoes, red bell pepper, black beans, kidney beans, and crushed tomatoes. Pour in the broth and stir everything together.

Bring the chili to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.

Before serving, squeeze in the lime juice and adjust seasoning to taste. This simple touch really lifts the whole dish.

Ladle into bowls and top with cilantro, a dollop of Greek yogurt, and a sprinkle of cheese if you like. Serve hot and enjoy your healthy turkey chili!