Hearty Barefoot Contessa’s Turkey Chili Recipe: Cozy Comfort Bowl

Chili nights just got a whole lot more delicious with this Barefoot Contessa turkey chili recipe that promises comfort in every spoonful.

Ina Garten’s culinary magic shines through in this hearty dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Packed with robust flavors and tender turkey, this chili delivers a warm embrace on chilly evenings.

The blend of spices creates a symphony of taste that dances across your palate.

Each ingredient is carefully selected to build depth and richness that’ll make you forget all about traditional beef chili.

Weekend cooking becomes a joy with this straightforward yet sophisticated recipe that even novice cooks can master.

Grab your pot and get ready to fall in love with a chili that breaks all the rules and satisfies every craving.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 6

What You’ll Need for Turkey Chili Night

• Ground Turkey: Lean protein that adds substantial texture and heartiness to the chili, selecting fresh ground turkey ensures better flavor and quality..
• Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing ingredients and building initial flavor foundation, choose extra virgin for richer taste..

• Onion: Provides deep, sweet undertone and classic chili base flavor, select firm and crisp onions for best results..
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent depth to the dish, fresh garlic cloves deliver more intense flavor compared to pre-minced versions..
• Brown Sugar: Balances spiciness and adds subtle caramel-like sweetness, helps round out overall flavor profile..
• Chili Powder: Creates signature spicy backbone, opt for high-quality blend for more complex taste..
• Cumin: Delivers warm, earthy undertones typical in authentic chili recipes, freshly ground cumin provides most intense flavor..
• Oregano: Introduces herbal complexity and traditional southwestern notes, dried oregano works best in slow-cooked dishes..
• Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasoning agents that enhance and highlight other ingredients' natural flavors..
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and helps thicken sauce, provides rich umami element..

• Chicken Broth: Creates moisture and adds subtle savory depth, low-sodium versions allow better seasoning control..
• Crushed Tomatoes: Provides smooth, rich base and additional liquid, San Marzano tomatoes offer exceptional quality..
• Kidney Beans: Classic chili bean with creamy texture and substantial bite..
• Black Beans: Adds nutritional density an.

Turkey Chili Cooking Tools You’ll Want Handy

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking the entire chili, provides even heat distribution and plenty of space for ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and breaking up ground turkey while cooking, helps mix ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients before cooking.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise chopping of onions and preparing ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Used for accurately measuring spices like chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
• Can Opener: Necessary for opening canned beans and crushed tomatoes.
• Measuring Cup: Helps measure chicken broth and other liquid ingredients precisely.

The Ultimate Guide to Making Turkey Chili

• Flavor Foundation

Start by warming a large pot with olive oil, gently sautéing chopped onions until they become soft and translucent. Add ground turkey, breaking it into small pieces and cooking until it turns a rich golden brown. Quickly introduce minced garlic for an extra layer of depth.

• Spice Symphony

Blend together an aromatic mix of brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir in tomato paste to create a robust base that will infuse the entire dish with incredible flavor.

• Liquid Harmony

Pour in chicken broth, carefully scraping the pot’s bottom to release any delicious caramelized bits. Mix in crushed tomatoes and three varieties of beans, creating a hearty and textured mixture.

• Slow Transformation

Allow the chili to bubble gently, then reduce heat and let it simmer quietly. During the first hour, keep the pot partially covered, then uncover to let the flavors concentrate and the texture thicken naturally.

• Festive Finish

Ladle the steaming chili into bowls and invite guests to personalize their experience with toppings like tangy cheese, creamy yogurt, fresh herbs, or zesty chopped onions.

Tips for Spicing Up Your Turkey Chili

• Creative twists and helpful hints to elevate this turkey chili recipe.
• Replace ground turkey with ground chicken, lean beef, or plant-based crumbles for exciting flavor variations that keep the dish interesting and adaptable.
• Experiment with different bean combinations like black beans, kidney beans, or cannellini beans to add unique textures and nutritional variety to your chili.
• Adjust the spice by adding diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers, or extra chili powder for those who love a kick, or reduce spices for a milder version that pleases everyone.
• Transform this recipe into a hands-off meal by transferring ingredients to a slow cooker and cooking on low for 6-8 hours, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Serving Turkey Chili Like a Pro

• Elevate Your Chili Experience: Add a burst of freshness with crisp green onions or tangy pickled jalapeños sprinkled on top.
• Pair with Comfort Sides: Serve alongside warm cornbread, fluffy buttermilk biscuits, or crispy tortilla chips for a complete meal that satisfies every craving.
• Create a Chili Bar: Set out small bowls of toppings like diced avocado, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar, and cilantro, letting guests customize their perfect bowl of chili.
• Meal Prep Magic: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days, or freeze in portions for quick weeknight dinners that taste even better the next day.

Freeze, Store & Reheat Turkey Chili

• Batch Cook Smartly: Prepare double the recipe and freeze portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals. Chili tastes even better after a day or two when flavors have fully developed.
• Refrigerate Correctly: Store leftover chili in sealed containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, maintaining delicious taste and texture.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled chili to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for a convenient make-ahead dinner option.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and maintain consistent temperature.

Hearty Barefoot Contessa Turkey Chili Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s hearty turkey chili provides comfort during chilly evenings with robust flavors and nutritious ingredients. Warm spices and tender meat create a satisfying meal that delights palates and brings people together around the table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 450 grams (16 oz) ground turkey
• 425 grams (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 425 grams (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 425 grams (15 oz) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 800 grams (28 oz) fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
• 420 milliliters (14 fl oz) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 medium onion)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 45 grams (3 tbsps) tomato paste
• 30 grams (1 tbsp) chili powder
• 15 grams (1 tbsp) ground cumin
• 15 milliliters (1 tbsp) olive oil
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2.5 grams (1 tsp) dried oregano
• 2.5 grams (½ tsp) salt
• 1.25 grams (¼ tsp) black pepper
• Shredded cheese (optional)
• Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (optional)
• Fresh coriander (optional)
• Chopped onions (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high temperature. Add onions and cook until translucent, creating a fragrant foundation for the chili.
2. Brown Protein: Introduce ground turkey to the pot, breaking it down and stirring continuously until achieving a golden-brown color. Quickly incorporate minced garlic and sauté briefly to intensify the aromatic profile.
3. Season Intensely: Sprinkle brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and tomato paste over the meat mixture. Blend thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of seasonings.
4. Build Liquid Foundation: Pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping caramelized bits from the bottom. Add crushed tomatoes and three bean varieties, stirring to create a cohesive mixture.
5. Simmer and Develop: Bring the chili to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Allow the dish to develop rich flavors uncovered for 1-2 hours, stirring periodically to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
6. Reduce and Concentrate: During the final 30 minutes, leave the pot uncovered to reduce liquid and intensify the chili’s robust texture and flavor profile.
7. Garnish and Serve: Transfer chili to serving dishes and embellish with optional toppings like shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, cilantro, or diced red onions.

Notes

• Boost Flavor Foundation: Sauté onions until translucent to create a deep, aromatic base that enhances the entire chili’s taste profile.
• Brown Meat Perfectly: Ensure ground turkey develops a golden-brown color by continuously breaking it apart, which locks in rich flavors and prevents clumping.
• Spice Blending Technique: Mix dry spices with tomato paste before adding liquids to intensify and distribute seasonings evenly throughout the chili.
• Patience Pays Off: Simmer uncovered for 1-2 hours, occasionally stirring, to develop complex flavors and achieve a thick, hearty consistency that elevates the dish’s overall texture and taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 12 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg