Turkey Apple Chili Recipe
This Turkey Apple Chili is a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal combining lean ground turkey, sweet apples, carrots, and sweet potatoes with a blend of warming spices and tomatoes. It offers a perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors, making it a comforting autumn or winter dish. The recipe is cooked on the stovetop, allowing the ingredients to meld beautifully and creating a satisfying chili that’s full of texture and depth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Fruits
- 2 cups sliced carrots (approximately 2 large carrots)
- 2 cups sliced sweet potatoes (halved and quartered, about 2 smaller sweet potatoes)
- 2 cups diced apples (from about 2 apples)
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp rubbed sage, divided
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Sprinkle of nutmeg
- 2 tsp chili powder
Protein and Sauces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lbs ground lean turkey
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cups crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups strained tomatoes or marinara sauce
- 1–2 cans kidney beans (optional)
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil and Cook Vegetables and Apples: Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a large pot and heat it over medium stove top heat. Add the diced apples, sliced sweet potatoes, and sliced carrots to the pot. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon rubbed sage, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Stir well with a spatula and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to soften the vegetables while allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add and Cook Ground Turkey: Add the ground lean turkey to the pot. Break it up into smaller pieces using a spatula or wooden spoon. Cook the turkey for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink.
- Add Tomato Paste and Spices: Stir in 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Mix thoroughly to ensure the tomato paste is evenly distributed throughout the mixture, enhancing the chili’s depth of flavor.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour in 3 cups crushed tomatoes and 2 cups strained tomatoes (or marinara sauce). Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Chili: Reduce the heat to low-medium and allow the chili to cook gently for 20 to 30 minutes. This slow simmer allows the flavors to develop further and the vegetables to become tender.
- Add Kidney Beans (Optional): If using kidney beans, stir them in toward the end of the cooking time, just before serving, to heat through without becoming mushy.
Notes
- You can adjust the number of kidney beans based on preference; rinsing canned beans beforehand reduces sodium content.
- If you prefer a spicier chili, increase the chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use lean turkey to keep this chili lower in fat without sacrificing protein.
- For a thicker chili, cook uncovered during simmering to allow excess liquid to evaporate.
Keywords: turkey chili, apple chili, healthy chili, ground turkey recipe, autumn recipes, sweet potato chili, lean turkey chili, stovetop chili
Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/turkey-apple-chili-recipe/
