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Healthy White Bean Turkey Chili

Easy Healthy White Bean Turkey Chili cooked in one pot and ready in 30 minutes for a quick, gluten-free, cozy and comforting chili. Lightened up with lean protein, cannellini beans, zucchini, pepper jack cheese, and spices. 

A bowl of White Bean Turkey Chili on a blue work surface with a spoon at the side

Sometimes a fun twist is enough to make a classic unique and fresh again. Homemade chili is one of those dishes. Traditionally chili is a tomato based, with navy beans, onion, celery, and ground beef. Swap out a few ingredients and it’s something new entirely, as with this Healthy White Bean Turkey Chili.

Ingredients for White Bean Turkey Chili

  • Ground turkey: Lean protein that’s a healthier alternative to ground beef
  • Yellow onion and garlic: Veggies that enhance the flavor of meat and chili
  • Chili powder and cumin: Spices that create the main flavors of chili
  • Vegetable stock: A bit of liquid with flavor to create a light broth
  • Zucchini: Whole veggies with mild flavor and texture
  • Cannellini beans: Chili should always include some sort of bean. These are white beans to go with the lighter chili
  • Canned diced green chile peppers: Adds a bit of spice
  • Shredded pepper jack cheese: Used in the chili and as a garnish for creamy, cheesy flavor
  • Cilantro and sour cream: Additional garnishes that go well with chili

What’s the difference between regular chili and white bean chili?

White bean chili is different from traditional chili in that it uses white cannellini beans instead of red beans, such as kidney beans. Vegetable stock and other veggies replace diced tomatoes as well to keep it a lighter color.
An overhead shot of prepared ingredients to make a White Bean Turkey Chili

Tips for Making White Bean Turkey Chili

  • Add more or less stock depending on your desired thickness
  • If you don’t like too much spice try skipping the chili powder and replace it with paprika
  • This chili makes great leftovers and tastes even better the next day
  • This chili will keep well in the fridge for a couple of days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container.
  • This chili freezes well for leftovers. Make a double recipe and freeze extras for easy meals.

Substitutions and add-ons to turkey chili

  • Tukey works great for a cozy fall chili, but you can substitute with ground chicken or beef.
  • Vegetable, chicken or beef stock are interchangeable but will affect flavors slightly.
  • Pepper jack cheese adds the best flavor to chili, but you can sub with cheddar, white cheddar or even mozzarella.
  • For a vegetarian option, omit ground turkey. There’s still plenty of protein from the cannellini beans.
  • Top with sour cream for extra flavor. Mix into the prepared soup to add creaminess.

A side shot of a bowl of White Bean Turkey Chili topped with cheese and cilantro

How to Make Chili Healthy

Turkey is a versatile lean meat beyond the annual holiday meal. It’s naturally low in fat and high in protein. The meat adapts well to almost any recipe; soaking in plenty of flavors from other ingredients and making it ideal for this white bean turkey chili.

I recommend ground turkey for the chili recipe but you could also use leftover shredded turkey meat. Ground chicken which would also work well. For another twist on chili, try my Roasted Sweet Potato Chili. To add substance and pair with the turkey, zucchini works surprisingly well in chili.

This turkey chili enough to be its own dinner entree, with plenty of protein, fiber, and vegetables. Or serve it at a party or as a side to your dinner spread. Plus it makes plenty and stores well for leftovers. Even though this White Bean Turkey Chili doesn’t have any tomatoes, you can still appreciate it as a hearty classic-style chili with a twist. 

A close up of a bowl of Healthy White Bean Turkey Chili garnished with cilantro

Tips for Making This in a Slow Cooker

If you prefer to make chili in a slow cooker for Crock Pot follow the guidelines below. Slow cooking chili is great if you want to prep it ahead of time then let it sit until you’re ready to serve.

Slow cook all the ingredients in a slow cooker on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 1 to 2 hours.

More Comforting chili and soup recipes you may like:

Healthy White Bean Turkey Chili recipe at-a-glance:

Flavor profiles: Fresh vegetables with chili spiced turkey and white beans.
Texture: Plenty of varied textures from tender ground turkey to starchy beans.

Leave a comment below and star rating if you made this recipe or want to share your thoughts.

 

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An overhead shot of a bowl of Healthy White Bean Turkey Chili
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5 from 17 votes

Healthy White Bean Turkey Chili

Lean protein, cannellini beans, zucchini, pepper jack cheese, stock and spices for a gluten free white bean turkey chili.
Course Chili
Cuisine American
Keyword easy bean chili, turkey chili, white bean turkey chili
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Calories 280kcal
Servings 8 servings
Author: Matt Ivan
Did you know? Servings and ingredient amounts can be adjusted on all my recipes. Click the green number above to change.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, light
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt and pepper, each
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable stock
  • 2 large zucchinis, cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 2 (14.5-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (4-ounce) can mild diced green chile peppers, undrained
  • 1 ½ cups shredded pepper jack cheese
  • Cilantro as garnish
  • 8 tablespoons sour cream, as optional garnish

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until translucent and fragrant.
  • Stir in ground turkey, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Cook until browned, 5-7 minutes, breaking up meat as it cooks. Reduce heat to medium, do not drain liquid.
  • Stir in stock, zucchini, beans, chili peppers and 1-cup cheese. Simmer uncovered 15-20 minutes, until thickened slightly and zucchini is tender.
  • Serve and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Garnish with cilantro and sour cream.

Notes

  • Add more or less stock depending on your desired thickness
  • You can sub ground turkey with ground chicken or beef in this recipe
  • If you don't like too much spice try skipping the chili powder and replace it with paprika
  • Top with sour cream for extra flavor. Mix into prepared soup to add creaminess.
  • This chili makes great leftovers and tastes even better the next day
  • This chili will keep well in the fridge for a few days stored in an airtight container.
  • This chili freezes well for leftovers. Make a double recipe and freeze extras for easy meals.
Nutrition Facts
Healthy White Bean Turkey Chili
Amount Per Serving (1.5 cups)
Calories 280 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Cholesterol 56mg19%
Sodium 711mg31%
Potassium 465mg13%
Carbohydrates 21g7%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 25g50%
Vitamin A 810IU16%
Vitamin C 15.9mg19%
Calcium 259mg26%
Iron 3.6mg20%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Healthy White Bean Turkey Chili
Gluten-Free Recipes | Popular Recipes | Recipes | Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes | Thanksgiving Recipes | Turkey

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45 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Thank you for posting this recipe. I avoid chili because the tomatoes sauce gives heartburn. Never in a million years would I have thought the traditional tomato based chili was not the best chili to be had. This recipe is the best tasting chili I have ever had. This is the second time I’m making this dish.

    1. Wow I hadn’t considered it an alternative to traditional chili for that reason but you made a great point. I appreciate the feedback and so glad you like the recipe! Thank you!

  2. 5 stars
    This is such a delicious comfort soup! I have tried various versions of this soup, but excited to give your recipe a try!

  3. 5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

  4. 5 stars
    This recipe is delicious, just the right level of spiciness (I don’t like anything too hot). Nice and filling without having a lot of starch, easy to make, looking forward to leftovers!

  5. Question about the recipe. Did you put 8 tablespoons of sour cream in the chili while it’s simmering? Or when it’s done?

  6. 5 stars
    Eating this right now and it’s EXCELLENT!! Perfect rainy night dinner 🙂 I had an orange bell pepper in the fridge so I tossed that in with the onion & garlic, and also topped it with some chunks of avocado. Otherwise followed the recipe exactly and it’s fantastic! Thank you so much for this new healthy recipe. Definitely adding it to my regular rotation!

    1. Hi Jennifer. Thanks so much and it’s always great to hear when people make my recipe! I think chili recipes are pretty customizable and like your suggestions. Thanks and you totally made my day!

  7. I make this once a week for my work dinners and its still delicious. I do add about 4 tbsp of diced canned jalepenos to warm it up a bit, but other than that, this recipe is awesome!

    1. Hi Meagan. Thank you so much and I’m honored you enjoy it so much! The tip is great, will have to try that next time I make it. Thanks!

  8. 5 stars
    Everyone in my family approved! This was delicious! Sad that there was no leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

  9. 5 stars
    I just found this recipe on pinterest, and i had all of the ingredients on hand, It’s perfect! i would make it again…

  10. 5 stars
    I left the cheese out – forgot to buy it – and only added half the chilis and a half a cup more of the stock. Still awesome! This is a keeper!!!

  11. 5 stars
    This was delicious!!! I did make a few modifactions. I cooked it in a slow cooker afer cooking the turkey as directed. Instead of zuchinni I used spinach. Oh, as we like it hot i added some additional mild chilies. It stays on our dinner rotation.

    1. Hi Beck Thanks for the positive feedback as well as the modification suggestions! I’m a big fan of spinach too. Sounds good and will have to try that out.

      1. Hi Becky. That’s a great question. If the meat is browned and mostly cooked 4 to 6 hours should be plenty on low. I’ll update the post with slow cooker tips. Thanks!

  12. Ooo I really like your changes to this chilli recipe, although I prefer minced chicken thigh fillets than turkey so I may use those instead. Looks so tasty!

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