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Low Calorie Turkey Chili

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This Low Calorie Turkey Chili is so jammed with flavor, you’ll forget you are eating something healthy.

This Low Calorie Turkey Chili is so jammed with flavor, you'll forget you are eating something healthy. #turkeychili #healthydinner

I have to admit, testing this Low Calorie Turkey Chili recipe out (so many times) was never considered a burden. This turkey chili is so delicious, I have loved having it around for dinners and lunches. Luckily, it makes a really large batch and reheats perfectly. This Low Calorie Turkey Chili is only is hearty meal you’re not going to want to pass up anytime soon.

Weekday meals are a great time to eat a little healthier so we can indulge on the weekends appropriately. Adding meals like Stuffed Spicy Italian Spaghetti Squash or this Low Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Salad just might allow us to have a bite of this Blackberry Crumble on the weekends.

This Low Calorie Turkey Chili is so jammed with flavor, you'll forget you are eating something healthy. #turkeychili #healthydinner

Can Low Calorie Turkey Chili Help Me Lose Weight

The short answer is yes!

Believe it or not this Low Calorie Turkey Chili can be an effective weight-loss tool. This recipe for turkey chili uses the most nutritious ingredients in place of other higher-calorie and higher-fat choices.

This recipe is loaded with beans and tomatoes, which are both naturally low in calories. The high fiber and protein content of beans are two nutrients that contribute to not only a feeling of fullness, but an elevated energy level.

Adding low-fat cheese as a healthier alternative also reduces your fat intake, but helps keep the calcium content of your meal the same.

This Low Calorie Turkey Chili is so jammed with flavor, you'll forget you are eating something healthy. #turkeychili #healthydinner

Tips For Making Low Calorie Turkey Chili

  • When it comes to softening your onion, make sure the edges of the onion are slightly brown. You can feel comfortable adding the ground turkey at this point.
  • Adding the spices into the ground turkey before adding any other liquids, gives the spices a chance to heat up and release more flavor.
  • Starting with canned, whole, peeled tomatoes and pureeing them adds more flavor. Whole peeled tomatoes are canned at ripeness and always taste better. Your chili will always have more flavor when you start with this type of tomato.
  • Make sure to drain and rinse your canned beans. This helps remove any excess starch and salt, which helps improve flavor and texture while removing that metallic flavor canned beans often have.
  • This recipe calls for two teaspoons of table salt. This is a large batch of chili and two teaspoons are definitely warranted. However, always add salt in increments so coincide with your tastes. This rule also applies when it comes to adding cayenne pepper.

 

This Low Calorie Turkey Chili is so jammed with flavor, you'll forget you are eating something healthy. #turkeychili #healthydinner

What Sets This Recipe Apart

The flavor of this Low Calorie Turkey Chili is what sets it apart. This chili is robust, hearty and has a slight, spicy kick. The texture is fantastic and it’s low-calorie. It will last a week in the refrigerator and can be frozen up to three months.

This Low Calorie Turkey Chili is so jammed with flavor, you'll forget you are eating something healthy. #turkeychili #healthydinner

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Low Calorie Turkey Chili in two bowls
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5 from 19 votes

Low Calorie Turkey Chili

This Low Calorie Turkey Chili is so jammed with flavor, you'll forget you are eating such a healthy meal. 
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time35 mins
Total Time45 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Low Calorie Turkey Chili
Servings: 12 bowls
Calories: 335kcal
Author: Cathy

Ingredients

  • 2 28 oz cans, whole, peeled tomatoes*
  • cooking spray
  • 1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
  • 2 lbs ground turkey
  • 2 tbsps chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground oregano
  • 1 tsp finely ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp finely minced garlic
  • 1 24 oz container fresh salsa (not pico de gallo)**
  • 1 14.5 oz can low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 15 oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 16 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 16 oz can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15.25 oz can corn, drained
  • 2 tsps table salt
  • garnish with lowfat cheese (optional) and green onion (optional)

Instructions

  • Empty cans of whole tomatoes into the pitcher of a blender. Puree until smooth. Set aside.
  • Spray the bottom of a large, 7 quart, Dutch oven with cooking spray. Soften onions over medium-high heat for about five minutes. Add ground turkey, cooking until no longer pink. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, black pepper and cayenne, mixing thoroughly into the turkey mixture. Add garlic, sauteing for one minute more.
  • Add pureed tomatoes, fresh salsa, chicken broth, all the beans, corn and salt into the turkey mixture. Bring the chili to a boil and let simmer on low for 30 minutes. 
  • Garnish each bowl with lowfat cheese and green onion if you like. 

Notes

*Starting with whole, canned tomatoes is a must. They are canned much riper than tomatoes going into tomato sauce. You will always get the best flavor when you start with these.
 
**Fresh salsa is found in the refrigerated produce section of your grocery store. I always choose a medium-heat level that has jalapenos, onion and garlic added. The packaging container might say restaurant salsa. Do not use pico de gallo for this recipe. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Low Calorie Turkey Chili
Amount Per Serving (2 cups)
Calories 335 Calories from Fat 59
% Daily Value*
Fat 6.6g10%
Saturated Fat 1.7g11%
Cholesterol 53.3mg18%
Potassium 555.8mg16%
Carbohydrates 41.3g14%
Fiber 12.4g52%
Sugar 8.1g9%
Protein 24.6g49%
Vitamin A 1475IU30%
Vitamin C 41.7mg51%
Calcium 135mg14%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Comments

  1. How much sodium is in this low calorie Turkey Chili? I am developing receipes for my sister who has high blood pressure and high cholesterol. She is also diabetic. You also indicate using table salt. As a rule I only cook with kosher salt or sea salt. Is iodine table salt really necessary? I will try the receipe because it sounds appetizing and I can freeze it for my sister.

    Reply

    • Iodine table salt was not used, both types are available in the store when it comes to table salt. As far as sodium content, I could not give one for this recipe. When you track calories on available apps and include beans, it gives the sodium content for the whole can, including the liquid portion. However, since all beans in this recipe are rinsed and drained, I’m unable to provide what the actual sodium content would be, therefore it is not here. By the taste of the recipe, before adding salt, I can say it had a zero, salty taste. You may add any type of salt you choose based on your taste or needs.

      Reply

  7. 5 stars
    Cathy, Love your recipes and this one is on the stove right now simmering and smells delicious! I wanted to let you know you left out when to add the pureed tomatoes. I added them when I added the beans, etc in step 3 but some may not be sure when to add. Thought I better let you know.

    Reply

  11. 5 stars
    Great recipe (must admit I modified to suit personal preferences)! Added extra veggies (bell pepper, more onion, celery, some carrot) to boost volume with fewer cals. Left fire-roasted diced tomatoes as is rather than pureeing (yep, a little lazy, and I like to chew ;-)). Used reduced sodium broth (Trader Joe’s) and rinsed beans well (research evidence indicates rinsing lowers sodium by ~40%). Left out salt altogether due to my high BP. Still, plenty of flavor from the tasty seasonings. Thanks!

    Reply

  15. 5 stars
    This was the bomb! Spur of the moment, I had everything on hand except the fresh salsa so I substituted a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes and green chiles. Easy and so good! Next time I will plan ahead as I’m curious about using the fresh salsa. Thank you :))))

    Reply

  16. 5 stars
    I’m not a big chili person but I was really looking forward to making this and it did not disappoint really really good.looking forward to making it again!

    Reply

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