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Easy Three-Bean Turkey Chili: Best Budget-Friendly Dinner

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This kid-approved three-bean turkey chili is proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen to make something truly satisfying. It’s affordable, fast, and actually gets eaten without complaint.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93/7 works great)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced avocado, tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Brown the turkey (5 minutes): Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Do not drain if using lean turkey.
  2. Sauté the aromatics (3-4 minutes): Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pot with the turkey. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion turns translucent and fragrant.
  3. Bloom the spices (1 minute): Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper over the meat and vegetables. Stir constantly for about 1 minute.
  4. Add the tomatoes and paste (2 minutes): Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add the crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes with their juices. Scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
  5. Add the beans and broth (1 minute): Gently stir in the drained and rinsed kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans. Pour in the chicken broth and stir everything together until well combined.
  6. Simmer (20-25 minutes): Bring the chili to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. After 20 minutes, taste and adjust salt and spices if needed.
  7. Rest and serve (5 minutes): Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls and add your favorite toppings.

Notes

This chili tastes even better the next day as flavors meld. For a thicker chili, simmer uncovered for an extra 10-15 minutes or mash some beans against the pot. If chili tastes flat, add more salt or a squeeze of lime juice. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey chili, three-bean chili, budget-friendly dinner, easy chili recipe, kid-approved chili, weeknight dinner, healthy chili

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/easy-three-bean-turkey-chili-best-budget-friendly-dinner/