Soups
Turkey, White-Bean & Green-Chile Chili
Ground turkey, white beans, mild green chiles, and corn simmer in a cumin-scented broth, with a few mashed beans adding body instead of cream.
Inspired by Weeknight white-bean chili
Prep
15 min
Cook
35 min
Serves
4 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Pantry match
Uses the current servings and temporary recipe changes.
Missing 13 ingredients
- • 1 tablespoon olive oil
- • 1 onion, diced
- • 1 pound lean ground turkey
- • 3 garlic cloves, minced
- • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- • 2 cans cannellini beans (15 ounces each), drained and rinsed
- • 1 can mild diced green chiles (4 ounces)
- • 1 cup frozen corn
- • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- • 2 tablespoons lime juice
- • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
View ingredient-by-ingredient match
- 1 tablespoon olive oilMissing
- 1 onion, dicedMissing
- 1 pound lean ground turkeyMissing
- 3 garlic cloves, mincedMissing
- 2 teaspoons ground cuminMissing
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oreganoMissing
- 2 cans cannellini beans (15 ounces each), drained and rinsedMissing
- 1 can mild diced green chiles (4 ounces)Missing
- 1 cup frozen cornMissing
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken brothMissing
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher saltMissing
- 2 tablespoons lime juiceMissing
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantroMissing
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Method
Recipe notes
Mild canned green chiles add flavor without making the whole pot fiery; brands still vary in heat. Mashing a few white beans creates body while leaving most intact. This turkey chili differs from the lemon bean soup through its meat, chile seasoning, corn, and thicker texture.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Refrigerate chili within two hours in shallow covered containers and use within 3–4 days. Reheat a portion to 165 F while stirring; freeze individual bowls for up to two months for easy lunches.
Make-ahead tips
Cook the chili a day ahead and reserve the lime and cilantro until reheating. It thickens as the beans stand, so loosen the warmed portion with broth or water before serving.
What to serve with it
- - Warm corn tortillas
- - A cabbage lime salad
- - Roasted sweet-potato wedges
Equipment needed
- - Heavy soup pot
- - Wooden spoon and small bowl
- - Instant-read thermometer
Difficulty explained
Ground turkey cooks quickly and canned beans need only warming; one gentle simmer brings the chili together without a separate sauce or roux.
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Nutrition facts
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Alternatives
Apply a reviewed substitution to this temporary working copy. The published recipe stays unchanged.
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Vegetable broth
Use the same amount of a full-flavored low-sodium vegetable broth.
Lemon juice
Use lemon juice in the same amount when lime is unavailable.
Flat-leaf parsley
Use the same volume of chopped flat-leaf parsley if cilantro is disliked.
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Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Large packed clumps of turkey cook unevenly; break them apart early and verify 165 F.
- Adding the full salty can liquid from the beans can make the broth heavy and overly salty; drain and rinse them.
- Boiling down until dry loses the soup-like chili texture and makes the turkey seem tough.
Nutrition Context
- Turkey and white beans supply protein, and the beans and corn contribute carbohydrate and fiber to each substantial bowl.
- The estimate includes the measured oil and broth but excludes tortillas and other suggested sides; broth sodium varies by label.
FAQ
Does this contain cream?
No. A small quantity of mashed beans lightly thickens the broth without dairy.
Can I use cooked leftover turkey?
Yes. Use about three cups chopped cooked turkey and add it with the beans, reheating everything to 165 F.
How hot are the chiles?
Mild canned chiles are usually gentle, but labels and brands differ. Choose a known mild product for the base version.
Why does it thicken in the fridge?
Bean starch continues absorbing liquid. Add a splash of broth when reheating rather than treating thickening as a problem.
Can I make a double batch?
Yes. Use a larger pot, brown turkey in batches if needed, and cool leftovers in several shallow containers.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Good pairings include Warm corn tortillas; A cabbage lime salad; Roasted sweet-potato wedges. Choose one or two based on how substantial you want the meal to be.