Cozy up with a big bowl of this Hearty Instant Pot Turkey Chili! It’s brimming with savory turkey, tender beans, and a rich, flavorful broth, all simmered to perfection in your Instant Pot. This versatile chili is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish.
Serve this vibrant chili with your favorite toppings like a dollop of cool sour cream, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for a restaurant-quality meal.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Savory, hearty, and slightly spicy with a depth of flavor from the tomatoes, chiles, and spices.
- Textures: Tender ground turkey, creamy beans, and a flavorful, slightly chunky broth.
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, with about 15 minutes of active prep time.
- Difficulty: Easy. This recipe is perfect for beginner cooks or anyone looking for a simple, delicious meal.
What You’ll Need
This delicious turkey chili comes together with just a handful of ingredients. You’ll need ground turkey as our star protein, a base of canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, and a mix of kidney and pinto beans for heartiness. For flavor, we use onions, bell peppers, chili powder, and other warm spices.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Turkey – The lean ground turkey provides a great base for the chili. You can also use ground chicken if you prefer.
- Onions – Yellow or white onions will work perfectly for this recipe. They add a sweet and savory base to the chili.
- Diced Tomatoes – Using a high-quality canned diced tomato will make a big difference in the flavor of your chili. For a smokier flavor, look for fire-roasted diced tomatoes.
- Kidney & Pinto Beans – Rinsing and draining the canned beans before adding them to your chili removes some of the excess starch, which can help prevent the chili from becoming too thick.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Spice it Up: Add more cayenne pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Bulk it Up: Add extra vegetables like corn, zucchini, or butternut squash.
- Lighter Version: Use ground chicken or turkey breast for a leaner option.
- Make it Vegetarian: Omit the ground turkey and add an extra can of beans and vegetables.
How to Make Hearty Instant Pot Turkey Chili
Let’s get cooking! This easy Instant Pot turkey chili comes together in just a few simple steps.
- Turn on your Instant Pot to the Sauté function. Add the olive oil and allow it to heat up for a minute.
- Add the ground turkey to the Instant Pot and break it up with a spoon, cooking until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the Instant Pot and cook for 3-5 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using), stirring to combine for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, pinto beans, and chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir everything together, then secure the lid of the Instant Pot and set the valve to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, and then manually release any remaining pressure.
- Give the chili a good stir and taste for seasoning. Add more salt and pepper as needed.Pro Tip: For an even richer, more complex flavor, let the chili simmer on the sauté setting for an additional 15–20 minutes after pressure cooking, stirring occasionally.
8. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip the sauté step. Browning the ground turkey and sautéing the vegetables builds a great depth of flavor.
- If you like a thicker chili, you can mash some of the beans with a fork before serving.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning. Chili is all about personal preference, so don’t be afraid to add more spices to suit your taste.
- Chili tastes even better the next day! Make a big batch and enjoy the leftovers.
- When using canned tomatoes, look for a brand that you love. High-quality tomatoes will make a big difference in the final flavor.
FAQs
- Can I make this chili on the stovetop?
Yes! You can easily adapt this recipe for the stovetop. Brown the turkey and sauté the vegetables in a large pot or Dutch oven. Then, add the remaining ingredients and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, to allow the flavors to meld. - Can I freeze this turkey chili?
Absolutely! Chili freezes very well. Once the chili has cooled completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. - What can I add to make the chili spicier?
You can add more cayenne pepper, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or even a can of diced green chiles for extra heat. - How can I make the chili less spicy?
Reduce or omit the cayenne pepper. You can also add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to cool down the heat.
Serving Suggestions
- Grains: Serve your chili over cooked quinoa, brown rice, or even cornbread for a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Sides: Some delicious sides include a crisp green salad, a side of warm crusty bread, or some tortilla chips.
- Toppings: Get creative with your toppings! Some great options include sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado, a squeeze of lime, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
- Sauces: A drizzle of hot sauce, a spoonful of salsa, or a side of guacamole adds even more flavor.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can easily prep some of the components of this turkey chili in advance. Chop the onions and bell peppers, and mince the garlic a day or two ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. The cooked chili can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or frozen for longer storage.
Hearty Instant Pot Turkey Chili Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
Cozy up with a big bowl of this Hearty Instant Pot Turkey Chili! It’s brimming with savory turkey, tender beans, and a rich, flavorful broth, all simmered to perfection in your Instant Pot. This versatile chili is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish.
Ingredients
1 ½ Pounds Ground Turkey
8 Strips Turkey Bacon, chopped
1 Can Pinto Beans, 15 ounces, drained
1 Can Black Beans, 15 ounces, drained
1 Can Fire Roasted Tomatoes, 15 ounces, diced, drained
1 Can Tomato Paste, 6 ounce
1 Red Onion, small, chopped
½ Red Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped
½ Orange Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped
1 Jalapeño, seeded and minced *optional
2 Cups Chicken Stock
1 Tablespoon Oregano, dried
1 teaspoon Cumin, ground
2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
1 teaspoon Black Pepper, ground
1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tablespoon Garlic, minced
FOR GARNISH
Sour Cream
Cilantro
Cheese, shredded
Instructions
1. Turn your Instant Pot to saut and cook chopped turkey bacon until crisp, then set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
2. Saut onions and peppers until tender. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, then drain off any excess grease.
3. Add all remaining ingredients and most of the bacon, stirring to combine.
4. Set the Instant Pot to chili and cook for 18-20 minutes. Natural release the pressure for 10-15 minutes or quick release.
5. Serve with sour cream, cilantro, cheese, and a bit of bacon.
6. If needed, pressure cook a little longer for more flavor.
Notes
Don’t skip the sauté step. Browning the ground turkey and sautéing the vegetables builds a great depth of flavor.
If you like a thicker chili, you can mash some of the beans with a fork before serving.
Taste and adjust the seasoning. Chili is all about personal preference, so don’t be afraid to add more spices to suit your taste.
Chili tastes even better the next day! Make a big batch and enjoy the leftovers.
When using canned tomatoes, look for a brand that you love. High-quality tomatoes will make a big difference in the final flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Soup & Stew
- Cuisine: American
