This simple Instant Pot turkey chili has everything going for it: healthy, easy, and fast! Made with lean ground turkey, it’s a quicker and deliciously lighter version of the slow-simmered beef chili you know and love.
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Easy Instant Pot Turkey Chili
I don’t know about you guys, but I *might* have indulged in just one too many cookies + a few too many extra helpings of comfort food over the holiday season… So right now my body is craving something (anything!) healthier — but still hearty, easy to prep, and quick to cook.
In other words, something like this healthy Instant Pot turkey chili! It’s got all the slow-simmered flavor of your favorite ground beef chili. But it’s lightened up thanks to ground turkey and a hefty dose of good-for-you veggies.
Oh, and it’s also waayyy faster, with much less cleanup, courtesy of my electric pressure cooker! Pressure cooking soups and stews is a great way to significantly reduce their cooking time. Yet you’re still infusing them with rich flavors that normally need a long, slow simmer to develop.
Sound good?! One delicious & healthy turkey chili recipe comin’ right up…
Ground Turkey Chili Ingredients
At first glance, the ingredient list for this Instant Pot ground turkey chili recipe appears to be a little long. But never fear, a good part of it is the spices!
And I’ve broken these up under a chili seasoning heading to make it easier on the eyes. Because long recipe ingredient lists with lots of spices tend to overwhelm me… So I figured you might feel the same way?
Plus, this way you can mix up a bigger batch of homemade chili seasoning to have on hand for ALL your chili needs. Just multiply the spices by four and store in an airtight container. If you go this route, about four-ish tablespoons of seasoning is a good amount to use per batch of chili.
Aside from the spices, the main players in this yummy turkey black bean chili are:
ground turkey — no surprise here, right? Ground turkey is a lean protein that easily substitutes one for one in any dish. I’ve also used ground chicken in this recipe with excellent results.
chopped onions and bell peppers — besides providing flavor, these assist to bulk up the veggies in this easy & healthy chili. While I used a white onion and yellow and orange bell peppers, you could also use a green pepper and/or a red onion.
Rotel Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies — you didn’t think Rotel was just for cheesy dips, did you? Turns out that its unique, zesty, fresh-from-the-vine taste is perfect in your favorite chili, too. And with only 25 calories, it helps keep this ground turkey chili light but still hearty.
Hunt’s Tomato Sauce — tomato sauce is excellent for thickening chili up! I choose Hunt’s because of its vine-ripened tomato flavor and from scratch feel and taste. Plus, I’m a big believer in avoiding added sugar whenever possible. And Hunt’s contains no added sugar, corn syrup, or other sweeteners.
black beans — I know this is controversial, but chili is NOT chili without beans, in my opinion. Normally I go for some dark red kidney beans, but black beans just felt right in this instance. Added bonus? They’re high in protein and fiber to help keep you full longer! Or you can substitute pinto beans or white beans, if you prefer.
chicken broth or stock — stock or broth serves to add rich flavor to this chili. And it helps avoid that pesky burn warning that Instant Pots give when there’s not enough liquid in a recipe.
How To Make Turkey Chili in the Instant Pot
Using the Instant Pot for this healthy turkey chili is SUCH a timesaver! And trust me, you won’t miss that slow-simmered flavor at all. Cooking this ground turkey chili under pressure infuses everything with bold flavor from the chili seasoning. All in a fraction of the time it would take to cook it on the stovetop.
AND it’s hands off cooking — so you can get other chores done in the meantime… Or maybe even pick up a book and read a chapter or two!
Start by using the Sauté mode function to brown the ground turkey in some olive oil. This can be done right in the Instant Pot insert. Don’t you love a good one pot meal?
When it’s cooked through, add the chopped onions and bell peppers and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Next add the chicken stock and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits up off the bottom of the pot.
From here, you pretty much just dump everything remaining into the pot. Add the Rotel, Hunt’s tomato sauce, black beans, and chili seasoning/spices. Set the Instant pot to cook at high pressure for 20 minutes. Then you’re only a quick pressure release from serving this healthy Instant Pot chili for dinner!
Even Faster Healthy Turkey Chili
This Instant Pot chili recipe is the perfect meal to serve for dinner after a busy day. You can be eating this flavorful chili in under and hour. And that’s including the prep time!
But do you want to know how you can save EVEN MORE TIME on this easy weeknight dinner?
PRO TIP: Buy your Instant Pot turkey chili recipe ingredients, including Rotel Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies and Hunt’s Tomato Sauce, from Walmart using Online Grocery Pickup! If you haven’t tried it, it’s an insanely easy way to get groceries in a flash.
Seriously, I ordered all of the ingredients and toppings for this pressure cooker chili on Sunday night before heading to bed… Then I used the Walmart app to let them know I was on my way to pick them up the next morning. I even dropped my son off at school and was still home with my groceries in under 15 minutes!
My Favorite Toppings For Turkey Black Bean Chili
My family thinks this healthy turkey chili recipe is fabulous as is. But I know the toppings are what make the chili for many.
So what are some good chili toppings that are still healthy-ish? Some of my favorite chili toppings are:
- Greek yogurt
- sliced green onions
- diced avocado
- sliced jalapeño peppers
- chopped cilantro
- and cheddar cheese
And I will never turn down a squeeze of lime in ANY chili…
If you’re not counting carbs, a small handful of crushed tortilla chips or corn chips are also tasty. Top your chili how ever you want without any regrets!
Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Chili
Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
This Instant Pot turkey chili has everything going for it: healthy, easy, and fast! Made with lean ground turkey, it's a faster and deliciously lighter version of the slow-simmered beef chili you know and love.
Ingredients
- 1.5-lbs. ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth or stock
- 2 (10-oz.) cans Rotel Diced Tomatoes With Green Chilies
- 1 (15-oz.) can Hunt's Tomato Sauce
- 2 (15-oz.) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
for the homemade chili seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder*
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper*
Instructions
- Combine chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, kosher salt, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Set seasoning mix aside.
- Turn the Instant Pot on and select the Sauté function. Heat olive oil over high heat and brown ground turkey until crumbly, 3 to 4 minutes. Add chopped onions and bell peppers and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken stock and scrape up any browned bits off the bottom of the pot.
- Add the Rotel tomatoes, Hunt's tomato sauce, black beans, and seasoning mix. Mix to combine, and then close and lock the lid.
- Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 20 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
- Release pressure carefully using the quick release method according to manufacturer's instructions. Unlock and remove the lid. Stir chili and adjust salt and seasonings, as desired.
- Serve with your choice of chili toppings, including (but not limited to) Greek yogurt, sliced green onions, diced avocado, sliced jalapeño peppers, chopped cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, and/or crushed tortilla chips or corn chips.
Notes
*How To Make Chili Spicy
This turkey chili recipe as written is fairly mild. If you want to make a very mild chili, just omit the cayenne pepper. A squeeze of lime can also help tone down a too spicy chili, as does adding a small dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream.
On the other hand, if you're like me and crave an extra spicy turkey chili, you have a couple of options. 1) Increase the cayenne pepper to 1 teaspoon, and/or 2) swap the regular chili powder for chipotle chili powder or ancho chili powder. Keep in mind that you can always adjust the seasonings and salt to taste after cooking.
How To Thicken Up Chili
Want to thicken up your turkey chili? Remove the lid and turn the Sauté function back on after releasing the pressure. Allow the chili to cook until the liquid is reduced the desired amount. You could also stir in a tablespoon of Hunt's tomato paste to speed it along.
How To Store And Reheat Leftover Chili
Leftover chili can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through.
You may also freeze chili in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8Serving Size: 1 bowl
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 393Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 1150mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 6gSugar: 4gProtein: 31g
More Healthy Instant Pot Recipes
If you love this pressure cooker turkey chili recipe, here are a few other healthy Instant Pot recipes you have to try!
- Instant Pot Salsa Chicken made with just 4 ingredients
- Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes that are perfectly cooked every time
- hearty and comforting Instant Pot Beef And Potatoes Stew
- Creamy and delicious Instant Pot Chicken Chili Verde
- The ideal Instant Pot recipe for beginners: Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
- The best 3-ingredient Instant Pot recipe: Coconut Quinoa
Did you make this recipe?
I’d love to see how your Instant Pot turkey chili turns out… Tag @unsophisticook on Instagram and hashtag it #unsophisticook.
