Turkey and Black Bean Chili | Lite Cravings Recipes (2024)

Nothing says comfort food quite like a bowl of this hearty Turkey and Black Bean Chili. It’s sure to be a family favorite!

I have a confession to make—I don’t love most chili. That’s blasphemy to many (including my husband), but I I’ve had a lot of blah chili in my life.

Mushy beans. Bland stew. Chewy meat. It’s just always a crapshoot when I order it out, and a lot of recipes are overly complicated or take hours to prepare.

Well, let me tell you that this chili is now one of my all-time favorite recipes! And that’s coming form this former chili-hater. It’s easy to make, yet packed with flavor and lots of protein.

Simple INgredients, big flavors

You might be skeptical about using lean turkey instead of classic ground beef. You might be thinking: Will the meat be dry?

Not at all! Since is simmers for almost 45 minutes in a heavily seasoned broth, the turkey breaks down and becomes quite tender and absorbs ALL the FLAVORS.

Feel free to use any beans you want, by the way. I like the texture and taste of black beans in this chili, but you could go with kidney or white beans.

Other than the meat and beans, there are some veggies and canned goods, along with some spices, to add to the mix. I bet you already have most of these ingredients in your pantry!

my favorite chili toppings

Although this chili is packed full of flavor and heartiness all on its own, there are plenty of low-calorie topping ideas that take it over the edge!

One of my favorite ways to serve this for family is to make a topping bar. Bring the whole pot to the table, then surround it with smaller bowls of some of the following:

• Shredded Cheese (reduced-fat)
• Minced Red Onion
• Light Sour Cream or Non-Fat, Plain Greek Yogurt
• Crushed Tortilla Chips
• Baked Cheese Crackers (like Cheez-its)
• Avocado
• Fresh Diced Tomatoes
• Sliced Green Onion
• Chopped Cilantro

This way, everyone can personalize their bowl of chili. Perfect for a cozy gameday Sunday. Or a family meal where even the pickiest eaters can have fun customizing their own plate. You can easily double the recipe to serve a crowd, too!

Can I Make Turkey and Black Bean CHili in a slow cooker?

Yes! I will say that it’s a super easy, hand-off process when cooking on the stove, but I totally understand wanting a slow cooker option.

I would still brown the turkey in a skillet before, just to get that extra flavor. Then add everything except for the beans in a slow cooker. Start with 1 cup of liquid and add more as it cooks, if needed.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours, adding the beans in during the last hour. If you add them at the beginning, they start to break down and turn mushy. Or cook on high for 3-4 hours, adding the beans in during the last 30 minutes.

I’d love to hear from you if you make this recipe! Leaving a starred review and comment below helps my blog grow. I’m always grateful when you can take the time to do that!

It also makes my day when you share your pics on Instagram and tag me (@litecravings). Don’t forget to use #litecravingsrecipes to make sure I see it. If I don’t get a chance to scroll through my tags quickly enough, I won’t see your post. I always make a point to look through the hashtags, though, so I’ll see it there!