This is the best high-fiber, high-protein chili recipe, loaded with hearty beans, lean protein from ground turkey, and a ton of veggies. This healthy slow cooker chili is quick to throw together on a chilly day for an easy weeknight meal!
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Why I Love This Recipe
- Healthy Comfort Food: It's hearty and filling, yet full of fiber and protein.
- Great flavor: It's a tasty and flavorful mild chili recipe that is kid-friendly (in terms of spice).
- Easy meal prep: Simple ingredients you can throw together quickly for meal prep Sundays or Sunday dinner, game day and Super Bowl parties, fall gatherings and potlucks, and easy weeknight meals.
- Full of protein and fiber: 30 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber per serving.
Ingredients Needed
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Lentils: I use pre-cooked lentils from Trader Joe's. You can use uncooked lentils, but there is more prep work, like rinsing and soaking.
- Edamame: Shelled edamame works best. You can use prepared or frozen.
- Diced tomatoes: I opt for fire-roasted tomatoes for extra flavor. Add the juice.
- Bone broth: Chicken bone broth adds extra collagen. Low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth works just as well.
- Ground turkey: I use ground turkey with at least 8% fat for the best flavor. Ground beef or ground chicken also works well.
- Tomato paste: Tomato paste helps to bind the chili starter and adds great flavor.
- Shallot: I like shallots because of their onion and garlic-like qualities. Onions and garlic may be substituted.
- Salsa: Salsa adds great southwestern flavor and a hint of spice.
- Chili seasoning: Look for pre-made chili seasoning in the spice aisle. Fajita seasoning or taco seasoning are great substitutes. Look for spice mixes that contain cumin, paprika, oregano, chili powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Peppers and Carrots: Fresh, crunchy veggies like peppers and carrots add fiber and a hearty quality to the high-protein chili.
- Beans: Traditional chili beans like kidney beans work well. I also like to include black beans or pinto beans.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Chili with Ground Turkey
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
Step 1: Chop Vegetables
Rough chop the peppers and carrots. Larger pieces tend to hold their shape better in the slow cooker. Add them to the crock pot.
Step 2: Cook the shallots and meat.
Over medium heat, cook the shallots in olive oil until slightly caramelized. Add the ground turkey and saute until cooked through. Add the chili seasoning and tomato paste and mix thoroughly.
Step 3: Add remaining ingredients
Add the remaining ingredients, as well as the cooked meat, to the crockpot. Stir gently to combine.
Step 4: Slow Cook!
Slow cook on low for 7-8 hours. Add garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste.
Slow cooking hint: The high-protein chili will seem runny when it is first done cooking. I like to turn the heat off in the last hour to allow the chili to thicken.
Substitutions
- No bean chili - omit the beans and add extra veggies like sweet potatoes, butternut squash, carrots, corn, or other starchy root veggies.
- Gluten-free - this high-protein chili is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure that your chili seasoning mix is gluten-free.
- Vegetarian - omit the ground beef and add more lentils and edamame.
Variations
- Spicy - add chili flakes, cayenne pepper, chopped jalapenos, or hot salsa to increase the spice.
- Deluxe - add tons of toppings for chili, like guacamole or chopped avocado, Greek yogurt (even more protein!) or sour cream, chopped cilantro, limes, chopped green onions, and shredded cheese.
- Kid-friendly - serve as a topping for chili mac and add a bunch of kid-friendly toppings like crunchy tortilla chips and sharp cheddar cheese.
See an Instant Pot Veggie Chili on my website!
Kitchen Tools Needed
This healthy one pot chili comes together with just a few kitchen tools.
- Slow cooker or Crock Pot
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Colander
- Skillet
- Meat chopper or wooden spatula
- Wooden spoon
- Crock pot liners for easy cleanup (optional)
Storage
High-fiber chili tastes even better the next day. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
You can freeze chili in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Reheat in the microwave for ease!
Top Tip
Eat this high-protein chili the next day! It tastes even better and thickens up the longer it is stored.
Recipe FAQs
Cooking high-protein chili on the stovetop is easy to do in a Dutch oven. Refer to the recipe card for all cooking methods.
Add ground turkey or ground beef. You can also add sources of plant-based protein, such as edamame and lentils. Topping chili with Greek yogurt also adds protein.
Yes, try my high-protein white chicken chili for an easy white chicken chili that is high in protein and fiber.
You can thicken chili by adding arrowroot or cornstarch. However, I find this chili thickens up when you let it sit for a bit after cooking.
Chili also generally thickens up once it is refrigerated.
Other Cozy Soups to Try!
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you've made this recipe, would you please leave a star rating and comment below on the recipe card? If you want more simple + delicious eats, please subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for the latest updates.
High-Fiber High-Protein Chili with Ground Turkey
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium shallot diced
- 3 medium carrots rough chopped
- 1 medium bell pepper rough chopped
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- 1.5 cups shelled edamame
- 15 oz. fire roasted tomatoes
- 16 oz. mild salsa
- 3 cups chicken bone broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 10 oz. black beans rinsed
- 10 oz. kidney beans rinsed
- 10 oz. chili seasoning mix
Instructions
Beginning Instructions for All Cooking Methods
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and saute diced shallots until slightly caramelized. Add the ground meat and break it up, cooking until no longer pink. Add in the seasoning packet and tomato paste and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly.1 pound ground turkey, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium shallot, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 10 oz. chili seasoning mix
- While the meat is cooking, wash all veggies and cut into rough 1-inch pieces.3 medium carrots, 1 medium bell pepper
Stovetop Instructions
- Add the chopped carrots and bell pepper to the meat mixture. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the outsides become slightly caramelized.
- Pour in the remaining ingredients and stir. Reduce the heat to low and cook for about 20 minutes.1 cup cooked lentils, 1.5 cups shelled edamame, 15 oz. fire roasted tomatoes, 16 oz. mild salsa, 3 cups chicken bone broth, 10 oz. black beans, 10 oz. kidney beans
- Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes to thicken up. Stir, then season with salt, garlic powder, and pepper to taste. Serve.
Crock Pot Instructions
- Add the cooked meat mixture along with the remaining ingredients to the crock pot. Stir, then cook on low for 7 hours. Turn the heat off after 7 hours and allow the chili to thicken before serving. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.1 cup cooked lentils, 1.5 cups shelled edamame, 15 oz. fire roasted tomatoes, 16 oz. mild salsa, 3 cups chicken bone broth, 10 oz. black beans, 10 oz. kidney beans
Instant Pot Instructions
- Add the cooked meat mixture and the remaining ingredients to the Instant Pot. Cook on Manual High mode for 10 minutes and then allow the pot to naturally release. Carefully remove the pot from the heat allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes to thicken. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder then serve.1 cup cooked lentils, 1.5 cups shelled edamame, 15 oz. fire roasted tomatoes, 16 oz. mild salsa, 3 cups chicken bone broth, 10 oz. black beans, 10 oz. kidney beans
Notes
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