A Dutch oven and bowl of Butterball Gal Lynn’s ground turkey chili with cornbread and fixing.

Lynn's Turkey Chili

Let Lynn, one half of the Butterball Gals, level up your dinner with this delicious turkey chili recipe that balances spiciness with just a hint of cocoa.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Total Time
1 hour
Calories Per Serving
319

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 (16 oz) trays Butterball Ground Turkey, (85% lean/15% fat) 
  • 2½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1 medium red onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste 
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (14 oz) can chili beans
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
  • OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:
  • Sour cream
  • Grated cheddar cheese
  • Sliced green onions
  • Cornbread or crackers 

Directions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stock pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Stir in turkey and 1 teaspoon salt and cook 10-12 minutes, breaking up turkey into smaller pieces with a spatula as it cooks. When turkey is cooked through, transfer to a bowl, discarding any excess liquid, and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium and add remaining tablespoon olive oil along with red onion, green bell pepper, and jalapeño and cook until onions and peppers have started to soften, 2-3 minutes. Then add tomato paste and cook another 3-4 minutes until it starts to darken in color.
  4. Return turkey to pot along with spices, cocoa powder, remaining 1½ teaspoons salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to incorporate, then pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili beans, and 1 cup water and bring to a simmer. 
  5. Partially cover to let steam escape and cook for about 30 minutes, stirring the bottom of the pot occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Taste chili, adding salt, vinegar, or sugar as needed to balance flavor. Serve with toppings of choice. 
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 (16 oz) trays Butterball Ground Turkey, (85% lean/15% fat) 
  • 2½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1 medium red onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste 
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (14 oz) can chili beans
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
  • OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:
  • Sour cream
  • Grated cheddar cheese
  • Sliced green onions
  • Cornbread or crackers 

Nutritional Facts

Carbs Per Serving
24g
Cholesterol Per Serving
74mg
Dietary Fiber Per Serving
8.5g
Saturated Fat Per Serving
1.6g
Sodium Per Serving
668mg
Sugar Per Serving
8g
Total Fat Per Serving
8.8g