Hearty Barefoot Contessa Turkey Chili Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Barefoot Contessa’s turkey chili transforms weeknight dinners into culinary adventures with its soul-warming blend of robust ingredients.

Spices waltz through each mouthwatering bite, creating a flavor explosion that tantalizes taste buds.

Lean protein and vibrant vegetables dance together in perfect harmony, promising a meal that’s both nourishing and incredibly delicious.

Every spoonful tells a story of comfort and creativity, elevating simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Packed with nutrition and bursting with bold seasonings, this chili defies ordinary meal expectations.

Hearty and satisfying, it turns an average dinner into a celebration of taste and texture.

Get ready to fall in love with the most irresistible chili that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients Found in Barefoot Contessa’s Turkey Chili Recipe

• Onion: Select firm, heavy bulbs with no soft spots or blemishes for maximum flavor.
• Garlic: Choose plump, tight-skinned cloves without sprouts for robust taste.
• Red Bell Pepper: Pick vibrant, glossy peppers that feel heavy and have smooth skin.

• Ground Turkey: Look for fresh, lean meat with consistent color and minimal liquid in packaging.

• Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Dried Oregano, Cayenne Pepper, Salt: Choose fresh, fragrant spices from reputable brands for intense, authentic flavor profiles.

• Diced Tomatoes: Select canned tomatoes with no added sugar and robust tomato flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Opt for low-sodium versions to control overall dish saltiness.
• Kidney Beans: Choose canned beans with no added salt, ensuring clean, pure bean taste.
• Corn Kernels: Select sweet, tender kernels that add natural sweetness and texture.

• Cheddar Cheese, Avocado, Tortilla Chips, Fresh Cilantro, Sour Cream: Pick ripe, high-quality ingredients to elevate the final presentation and flavor.

Tools Needed for Barefoot Contessa’s Turkey Chili Recipe

• Large Pot: Perfect for creating a hearty, one-pot chili that simmers with rich flavors.
• Wooden Spoon: Essential for breaking up ground turkey and stirring ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Helps you chop onions, garlic, and bell peppers with ease.
• Sharp Knife: Ideal for precise vegetable and garnish preparation.
• Can Opener: Necessary for opening diced tomatoes and kidney beans quickly.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate spice measurements for balanced flavor.
• Ladle: Great for serving chili into bowls with minimal mess.
• Serving Bowls: Allows for individual portions and beautiful presentation.

Instructions to Prepare Barefoot Contessa’s Turkey Chili

• Kickstart the Base

Warm a splash of olive oil in a big pot. Toss in diced onions, minced garlic, and colorful bell peppers. Let these dance and soften, releasing their mouth-watering aroma for a few delightful minutes.

• Brown the Protein

Tumble ground turkey into the sizzling veggie mix. Crumble and stir the meat until it transforms into a golden, delectable layer covering the bottom of the pot.

• Spice Explosion

Shake a vibrant blend of chili powder, cumin, oregano, and a pinch of cayenne into the pot. Swirl and coat every morsel with the zesty seasoning mix, creating a flavor-packed foundation.

• Build the Hearty Stew

Pour in diced tomatoes, rich chicken broth, tender kidney beans, and sweet corn kernels. Let the ingredients mingle and bubble, simmering slowly to develop deep, complex flavors that will make taste buds dance.

• Finish and Serve

Taste and tweak the seasoning, adding a dash more salt or spice if needed. Ladle the steaming chili into bowls and crown with fresh toppings like sharp cheddar, creamy avocado, crunchy tortilla chips, bright cilantro, and a dollop of cool sour cream.

Tips and Variations for Turkey Chili Recipe

• Boost Your Flavor: Experiment with different ground meats like beef, chicken, or a plant-based alternative for unique taste profiles.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust cayenne and chili powder to match your heat tolerance, from mild to fiery hot.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This chili tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop and intensify in the refrigerator.
• Smart Storage Solution: Freeze portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals, keeping up to 3 months for convenient future dinners.

Suggested Sides for Barefoot Contessa’s Turkey Chili

• Elevate Your Chili Bowl: Create a colorful topping bar with shredded cheese, diced avocado, and crispy tortilla chips, letting everyone customize their perfect bite.
• Pair with Comfort Sides: Serve alongside warm cornbread, fluffy rice, or crisp green salad to complement the hearty chili's rich flavors.
• Weekend Game Day Champion: Present this chili in individual ramekins or a large communal pot for a crowd-pleasing meal that's perfect for sports gatherings or casual dinner parties.
• Leftover Magic: Store in airtight containers for delicious next-day lunches, knowing the flavors will develop even more overnight in the refrigerator.

How to Store Barefoot Contessa’s Turkey Chili

• Preserve Freshness: Store leftover chili in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and food safety.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled chili to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen chili maintains excellent quality for 3 months, providing quick and delicious emergency meals.
• Reheating Pro Tips: Warm refrigerated chili in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore original moisture and prevent drying out. Microwave option works best when covered and stirred midway through heating.
• Portion and Prep Strategies: Divide chili into individual serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Consider preparing double batches to save cooking time and have convenient meal options throughout the week. Label containers with date and contents for organized meal planning.

Hearty Barefoot Contessa Turkey Chili Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s barefoot contessa turkey chili delivers hearty comfort with complex Southwest flavors. Packed with ground turkey, beans, and robust spices, this chili promises a satisfying meal that will warm hearts and delight diners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb extra lean ground turkey (0.45 kg)
• 2 x 15 oz cans dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained (2 x 425 g)
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 x 15 oz can sweet corn, rinsed and drained (425 g)
• 1 x 28 oz can diced or crushed tomatoes (794 g)
• 1 ¼ cups chicken broth (296 ml)
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 4 tbsps McCormick chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
• cheese
• avocado
• tortilla chips
• cilantro
• sour cream

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Instructions

1. Sauté Foundation: In a large Dutch oven, warm olive oil over medium heat. Combine onions, garlic, and red bell peppers, cooking until vegetables become translucent and aromatic, approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Turkey Transformation: Introduce ground turkey into the vegetable base, methodically breaking meat into fine crumbles. Cook until turkey transitions from pink to golden brown, ensuring complete protein preparation.
3. Spice Infusion: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne, and kosher salt into the mixture. Thoroughly integrate seasonings, allowing them to toast and release their robust essence, which amplifies the overall flavor complexity.
4. Liquid Integration: Add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, kidney beans, and corn kernels. Elevate heat to trigger a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle, consistent simmer. Cover the pot to trap moisture and concentrate flavors.
5. Flavor Melding: Allow chili to simmer for 35-40 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent scorching. The liquid will gradually condense, creating a rich, hearty texture while harmonizing ingredient profiles.
6. Final Calibration: Assess and refine seasoning, adjusting salt, spices, or broth to achieve a balanced, sophisticated flavor spectrum. Verify the chili’s depth and warmth.
7. Presentation: Serve piping hot in individual bowls, offering optional embellishments like cheddar cheese, avocado, tortilla chips, cilantro, or sour cream to personalize the culinary experience.

Notes

• Meat Precision: Break ground turkey into tiny crumbles for even cooking and better texture integration.
• Spice Toasting Technique: Briefly toast dried spices to release essential oils and amplify flavor complexity.
• Liquid Management: Simmer uncovered during final stages to achieve desired chili thickness without diluting taste.
• Customization Freedom: Experiment with optional toppings to personalize heat, freshness, and textural contrast.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg