Turkey Chili is the Perfect Go-To Family Meal

So it is finally that time of year, a time when the air is crisp and the days are shorter. When you want to curl up on the couch with a flannel quilt and a yummy bowl of chili. It is also the time to break out that crock pot...my favorite.

As someone struggling with diabetes and weight I am always looking to reinvent my favorite meals. A few months ago I gave up ground beef for ground turkey. When using ground turkey you save 75 calories and 5 grams of saturated fat per ounce when compared the ground beef. That is a HUGE savings! Ground turkey is so yummy I encourage you to make the switch with your family as well.

I want to share with you my recipe for Turkey Chili. This is another one of those go to meals in my house and is one of my husband’s favorites. I like to make mine in my crock pot because I find that the flavor is much richer but you are welcome to use the stove top. It is also a great meal to put together the night before for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 gloves of garlic (minced)
- 1 green pepper (diced) (Optional)
- 1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cans of black beans (drained) (you may use which ever variety of beans your family likes)
- 1 can of fat free re-fried beans (this is also optional but it makes a thick rich stock)
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- Chili Powder, Cumin, and salt to taste (if your family does not like Cumin, which my husband does not, you can use one packet of taco seasoning instead)
- Shredded cheddar cheese and reduced-fat sour cream (for serving)

Directions

- Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a medium sauce pan
- Add onions and peppers and cook for about 2 minutes or until tender
- Add garlic and cook for an additional minute
- Add the ground turkey to brown. Be sure to stir and break apart the turkey with a spatula as it cooks. Continue until the turkey is no longer pink.
- Add mixture to your slow cooker (if you are not using the slow cooker skip to the next step)
- Add tomatoes, black beans, re-fried beans, and spices to the mixture.
- Cook in the crock pot on high for 4 - 6 hours or low for 8 - 10. If you are using the stove top you are going to want to simmer the chili for about 45 minutes.
- About 15 minutes before serving add your rice and a handful of cheddar. If you are using the crock pot you may want to adjust your spices again at this time.

Serve with cheese and reduced-fat sour cream for a garnish.

Re-purpose leftovers to have Chili Dogs one night (turkey hot dogs are very yummy) and Chili Mac and Cheese another. Your family will not be disappointed!

Try this with your family tonight and let me know what you think...

Happy Cooking,

- Jeannie Sargent