Looking for a cozy, protein-packed meal that the whole family will love? This White Bean Turkey Chili is your answer. Lean turkey, creamy white beans and a touch of warming spices come together in one pot to create a comforting, healthy dinner — perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Author and food advocate Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma created this recipe while trying to find an alternative for a family favourite: red chili with beef. “I’m using new (to me) vegetables to make this dish wholesome,” Chhitwal-Varma writes, referring to the 3 cups of leafy greens in the chili recipe.
When Chhitwal-Varma, and other nutrition experts, talk about leafy greens, they’re referring to those nutrient-packed vegetables with edible green leaves — low in calories, high in fibre and loaded with vitamins and minerals. Adding leafy greens – like kale, spinach, collard greens and mustard greens – to your chili is an easy way to up the nutrition.
Why You’ll Love This White Bean Turkey Chili
- Healthy & High-Protein: Lean turkey keeps it low in fat but rich in flavour.
- One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup — cook everything in a single pot.
- Versatile: Serve it on its own, with cornbread or over rice.
- Family-Friendly: Mildly spiced but full of flavour — kids love it too!
White Bean Turkey Chili - Healthy, One-Pot Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 black cardamom pods
- 2 bay leaves
- 8 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 cup chopped white onions
- 10 oz (300 g) ground turkey
- 1 tbsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 can (19 oz/540 mL) white or navy beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup sweet apple cider
- salt to taste
- 3 cups dark leafy greens
- lime juice and wedges
- chopped cilantro to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot on medium heat. Once you see the oil shimmer, add the fennel seeds, cardamom pods and bay leaves. Toss and let the seeds brown gently, about 1 minute. Add the garlic and let it sauté for a couple of minutes.
- Add the onions and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes. The onions will slowly turn translucent and release their liquid. Once that happens, add the ground turkey, coriander, and black pepper. Turn the heat to medium-high and allow the meat to brown for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add the beans and apple cider and cook on high for 1 minute. Turn the heat down to medium, add salt to taste and stir it all together. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer on medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Stir halfway through to check that it’s all coming together, and add water if needed.
- Turn the heat off and stir in the greens. Put the lid back on and let the chili sit for a few minutes. Taste and adjust the salt and consistency to your preference.
- Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lime juice, chopped cilantro and lime wedges.
Notes
- Spinach
- Kale
- Swiss chard
- Romaine lettuce
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Beet greens
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