This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
This White Bean Turkey Chili is hearty, creamy, and full of flavor! Lightened-up your chili recipe made with ground turkey, white beans, and delicious spices for the perfect weeknight dinner!
Why You’ll Love this White Bean Turkey Chili!
When I first made this White Bean Turkey Chili, I wanted something that felt cozy and hearty but not too heavy — and this recipe nailed it!
The creamy white beans, tender ground turkey, and mild spice from green chilies make it the kind of meal you crave all winter long. It’s healthy, simple, and taste amazing, and it’s one of those stove top recipes that tastes even better the next day.
Serve it with cornbread or tortilla chips, and you’ve got the ultimate comfort dinner any day of the week! If you love this white bean chili recipe, then you may like this Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili or White Chicken Taco Chili Recipe.
Ingredients
- Olive Oil – Use oil of your choice
- Small Onion – Diced into small pieces – White or Yellow Onions. We like to Freeze Onion so we prepare ahead of time.
- Mince Garlic – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
- Ground Turkey – We used lean ground turkey but you can substitute with ground beef, ground chicken or leftover turkey breast.
- Green Chiles – No need to drain
- Spices – Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Cumin, Oregano, and Chili Powder
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – Optional addition
- White Beans – You can use Cannellini Beans, Navy Beans, Pinto beans, White Kidney Beans or Great Northern Beans
- Chicken Broth – If you are out, see Chicken broth substitutes or use beef Broth
- Frozen Corn – Substitute with canned corn. Add in other veggies such as tomatoes or shredded carrots
- Sour Cream – Gives the white turkey chili a creamy texture. Substitute with Greek Yogurt for a lower calorie option
- Optional Toppings – Fresh jalapeno, Sour Cream, Chopped Cilantro, Green Onions, Avocado, and Shredded Cheddar Cheese which adds so much flavor
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.
How to Make White Bean Turkey Chili
Step 1 – In a large heavy pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium high heat.
Step 2 – Add onions and the 2 pound ground turkey. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the ground turkey is no longer pink and the onions are soft over medium-high heat in a large pot.
Step 3 – Add in the garlic and cook for one minute. Add in diced green chilies, salt, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and red pepper places.
Step 4 – Add 2 cans of cannellini drained beans, and 1 can of undrained beans. (we like to not drain one can because it helps thicken the chili. Stir in the chicken broth and corn.
Step 5 – Cover and reduce heat to simmer for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. It will thicken as the flavors combine. Stir in sour cream and cook for 5 minutes to heat through. Serve in bowls topped with your favorite toppings.
White Bean Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced (or 1 Tablespoon minced garlic)
- 2 pounds 93% lean ground turkey
- 1 can diced green chilies 4.5 oz
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ Tablespoons cumin
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 3 cans cannellini or great northern beans (1 not drained, 2 rinsed and drained)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup sour cream or greek yogurt
Optional Toppings:
- 1 fresh jalapeno sliced
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 avocado sliced
- Monterrey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese shredded
Instructions
- In a large heavy pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium high heat.
- Add onions and the ground turkey. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the ground turkey is no longer pink and the onions are soft.
- Add in the garlic and cook for one minute.
- Add in diced green chilies, salt, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and red pepper places.
- Add 2 cans of cannellini drained beans, and 1 can of undrained beans. (we like to not drain one can because it helps thicken the chili.
- Stir in the chicken broth and frozen corn.
- Cover and reduce heat to simmer for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. It will thicken as the flavors combine.
- Stir in sour cream and cook for 5 minutes to heat through.
- Test it and season it with more salt if needed
- Serve topped with your favorite toppings.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Recipe Tips
- Thicker Chili – Mash some of the beans before adding for a creamier consistency. You can even use a blender.
- Spicy – Add cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños for extra heat.
- Make it Dairy Free – Use coconut milk or omit the sour cream.
Other Cooking Methods
Slow Cooker Directions – To make it in the crockpot, brown the ground turkey and onions in a large skillet. Add in the rest of the ingredients (minus the toppings) into a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir and serve. Instant Pot Directions – To make the chili in the Instant pot, you will need a 6-8 quart Instant pot. Brown the ground turkey and the onions in the instant pot on the saute setting. Once brown, add in the broth and scrap up any brown pieces. Add in the seasonings and the beans. Cover and cook on hiNutrition Facts
Serving Recommendations
Serve this White Bean Turkey Chili with a side of Mexican Cornbread, Jalapeño Cornbread or 30 Minute Dinner Rolls. We even love to serve with cheese and crackers and your favorite toppings such as dice avocado, shredded cheese, slice jalapenos, fresh chopped cilantro and sour cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use leftover turkey from Thanksgiving to make this recipe. Just saute the onions alone, and add the shredded leftover turkey to the pot when you add everything else.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat the leftovers on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
Once the chili has cooled to room temperature, place the leftovers in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight then reheat.
More Easy Chili Recipes
We love to hear from you! If you make White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
This White Bean Turkey Chili was so good! My entire family loved it and it will be on our menu regularly.