This turkey chili is hearty, smoky, and packed with bold flavor. It is made with poblano peppers, crushed tomatoes, and ground turkey. There is also a hint of coffee. It’s a cozy one-pot meal perfect for game day, weeknights, or meal prep.

Featured Standouts

Ground Turkey

The lean nature of ground turkey serves as an excellent canvas. It readily absorbs the vibrant array of spices and flavors in the chili. Its subtle richness contributes to a satisfying and hearty texture without overwhelming the other ingredients.

Poblano Pepper

Poblano pepper offers a mild, approachable heat coupled with a distinctive smoky undertone. It provides a more nuanced and complex flavor profile. This sets it apart from the straightforward earthiness of a green bell pepper. It elevates the chili’s aromatic depth. Without being too spicy like a jalapeño.

Crushed Tomatoes

Crushed tomatoes form the juicy foundation of the chili. They introduce a crucial element of acidity and natural sweetness. They also balance the spices, ensuring a well-rounded and harmonious flavor in every spoonful.

Chili Powder

More than just heat, chili powder provides a complex layering of earthy warm spice. It’s the quintessential ingredient that defines the chili’s character, contributing a comforting and robust flavor.

Garlic & Onion

Garlic and onion build the classic savory backbone of the chili. Their aromatic qualities provide a fundamental depth of flavor that is essential to any well-crafted savory dish.

Coffee

A touch of coffee infuses the chili with an extraordinary richness. It deepens the overall flavor profile. It adds subtle bitter notes. These notes beautifully complement the other ingredients and enhance the chili’s complexity.

TIPS & TRICKS FOR THE BEST TURKEY CHILI

Customize the Heat

For those who crave a more intense fiery kick, swap the poblano pepper for a jalapeño. This change will significantly increase the heat level. It will still maintain a similar aromatic quality.

Alternative for Richness

If you crave the deep richness that coffee provides, but want to avoid caffeine, melt a small square of dark chocolate into the chili. This provides the same depth of flavor. It offers a similar depth of flavor, adding a subtle sweetness and velvety texture.

Prepare Ahead for Enhanced Flavor

Chili is one of those magical dishes that often tastes even better the next day. Preparing it in advance allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a more integrated and delicious meal. Reheating gently will bring out the full spectrum of its rich taste.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

Large Dutch oven or stockpot
Wooden spoon

Chef’s knife

cutting board

SIMILAR INGREDIENTS TO

Spicy Red Bean Beef Chili
Meat & Cheese Lasagna + Stewed Garlic Olives

Chili Con Carne Stuffed Baked Potatoes

ENJOY THIS RECIPE WITH

Bird’s Eye Chili Pan Fried Flounder Tacos + Zucchini Slaw

ROCKY ROAD CHOCOLATE BUNDT CAKE

PAN AU CHOCOLAT BREAD PUDDING

RECIPE

Marissa Bolden

Bold & Smoky Turkey Chili with Coffee Kick

This turkey chili is hearty, smoky, and packed with bold flavor. Made with poblano peppers, crushed tomatoes, ground turkey, and a hint of coffee, it’s a cozy one-pot meal perfect for game day, weeknights, or meal prep.

Print Recipe

Servings: 6

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 whole corn on the cob shucked
• 1 poblano pepper diced
• 1 medium onion diced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 can 15 oz black beans, rinsed
• 1 can 15 oz red beans, rinsed
• 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups water
• ½ cup brewed coffee
• 4 Tbsp chili powder
• 2 Tbsp garlic powder
• 2 Tbsp oregano
• 1 Tbsp chicken bouillon powder
• 1 Tbsp black pepper
• 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp mustard powder
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

 

1. n a Dutch oven over medium heat, add olive oil and ground turkey. As the turkey begins to brown, stir in the chili powder, black pepper, garlic, bay leaf, mustard powder, paprika, and a pinch of salt.
2. After approximately ten minutes, once the turkey is browned, add the diced poblano pepper, corn, cob and onion. Sauté for five minutes.
3. Deglaze the pot with brewed coffee. Then, add the crushed tomatoes, chicken bouillon powder, black beans, red beans, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for one hour. Lightly mash some of the beans as the chili cooks to help thicken it.
5. Once the chili has thickened to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

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