This Low Calorie Turkey Chili is so jammed with flavor, you’ll forget you are eating something healthy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Low Calorie Turkey Chili
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
Nutrition
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Johnnie Williams says
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.
Cathy says
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.
Johnnie says
Thanks so much for your quick response. As I am very aware of the salt content in food, I will just try it. I will let you know how it comes out.
Rhonda Fuller says
This recipie has chicken broth which has a ton of salt. If you delege the chicken broth and only use tomato juice it cuts down the sodium Level. Iam also on a no salt diet and i use mrs. Dash no salt. It taste great.
Cathy says
Personal choice.
Liz says
I was going to make my traditional chili this week until I spotted your recipe. So flavorful and perfect after the holiday indulging!
Cathy says
Enjoy it!
Tasha Wilmore says
Just us low sodium 🍅 sauce and no salt period low sodium chicken broth or no chicken broth just water no salsa us more crust tomatoes and chilies.
Tanya Schroeder says
This chili has so much flavor! It is my new favorite!
Cathy says
Yay!
Julie says
This is my new go-to for chili! The flavor is awesome!
Cathy says
That makes me so happy. Thank you.
Sommer says
Love that when I make this I can enjoy it guilt free!
Cathy says
Yes you can.
Sam says
This chili has the best flavors with all those delicious spices. I love that it is so easy to put together as well.
Cathy says
Glad to hear that.
Beth says
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.
Cathy says
Thank you, fixed it.
Toni says
I love how comforting this is! And so easy to make too! Yum!
Cathy says
Yes, so easy.
Sharon Rausch says
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe…it was so delicious!
mary klein says
Can you let me know what fat content turkey you used in this recipe?
Cathy says
Not exactly sure on fat content, but I use ground turkey, not ground turkey breast.
Laura Kinzel says
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!
Chess says
Is that calorie content really for 2 whole cups? If so, I’m too too excited to try this!
Cathy says
Yes.
Sharon says
I didn’t see draining the turkey.
Do u just leave it in the dutch oven?
Cathy says
Yes. Cook your turkey until the liquid evaporates.
Jen says
Love this recipe! I left out the kidney beans and added a jalapeño and it was awesome.
Christine says
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 :))))
Melissa Mcneely says
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!
Kenny says
I’ve lost 15 lbs eating this..it’s so good and healthy!
Cathy says
Congratulations!
Karina says
So much flavor in the is recipe. Loved it.
Cathy says
Yep it’s great.
BRAD says
Very, very good. I really liked this! Thank you!!
Bill says
This is our fave. We have lost 10 lbs incorporating this in our diet
Cathy says
Congrats!
Phil says
This low calorie chili was so so good. Making it again tonight and next week and…
Cathy says
Enjoy it.
Rene says
This low calorie chili turned out better than we ever expected!