White Bean Turkey Chili
This White Bean Turkey Chili is hearty, cozy, and packed with flavor from lean ground turkey, creamy white beans, warm spices, and a bright finish of lime and cilantro. It’s a lighter take on classic chili that’s naturally gluten-free, high in protein, and perfect for meal prep!
If you’re craving something warm and comforting but still fresh and nourishing, this White Bean Turkey Chili is exactly what you need.
It’s a lighter alternative to traditional chili recipes, made without tomatoes and simmered in a flavorful chicken broth instead. The combination of creamy white beans, lean ground turkey, and warm spices creates a cozy, satisfying bowl — while fresh lime juice and cilantro add brightness that keeps it from feeling heavy.
This has been a longtime family favorite and one of the most popular recipes on Flavor the Moments — and once you try it, you’ll see why.
Serve it up with your favorite toppings like avocado or sour cream, and don’t forget the skillet cornbread for dunking. 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe
- A lighter take on chili made with lean ground turkey.
- Thick, creamy texture from mashed white beans — no cream needed.
- Bright, fresh flavor from lime juice and cilantro.
- Comes together in about 40 minutes with mostly pantry staples.
- Great for meal prep and freezer-friendly.
Recipe ingredients
This white turkey chili recipe is made with simple, wholesome ingredients that come together for maximum flavor. If you don’t have an ingredient, you can make a quick substitute (see my ingredient substitutions guide).
- Ground turkey. Lean, high-protein, and lighter than beef. Sub with ground chicken or your favorite ground meat.
- White beans. Use Cannellini, Great Northern, or navy beans. Some of the beans are mashed to create a thicker consistency.
- Onion & garlic. Add savory and aromatic flavor.
- Chicken broth. This is the base of the chili as there is no tomato sauce.
- Diced tomatoes. No diced tomatoes? Chop a fresh tomato and stir it in during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking time.
- Spices. The combination of chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin and cayenne pepper add warm flavor and a touch of heat. Add more cayenne pepper if you like your chili spicy.
- Lime juice & cilantro. Adds bright, fresh flavor that really sets this chili apart.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quanitites.
If you don’t have an ingredient, you can make a quick substitute (see my ingredient substitutions guide).
How to make white bean and turkey chili
Pro tip: If you like your chili thicker, start with 2 cups of chicken broth and add up to 1 additional cup as needed.
See the recipe card for full instructions.
- Sauté the onion for 5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and spices and cook 30 seconds longer.
- Add the ground turkey and 1/4 cup water and cook until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.
- While the turkey is cooking, mash one cup of the rinsed and drained beans in a bowl with a fork.
- When the turkey is cooked through, add the mashed beans, whole beans, tomatoes and chicken broth, and stir until combined.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat slightly, and simmer 20-30 more minutes until thickened.
- Finish with fresh lime juice and cilantro before serving.
Tips for success
- Mash some of the beans to naturally thicken the chili.
- Start with 2 cups of broth and add up to one additional cup if you like extra thick chili.
- Simmer long enough to develop flavor (at least 20 minutes).
- Add lime juice at the end for the freshest flavor.
- Adjust spice level with extra cayenne pepper or add jalapeño or other chilies.
What are the best white beans to use?
You can use cannellini beans, Great Northern beans, or navy beans in this recipe. Cannellini beans are my favorite because they’re extra creamy and hold their shape well.
The white beans serve two purposes here: they make the chili hearty and also act as a natural thickener when partially mashed.
Serving suggestions
- Sliced avocado.
- Fresh cilantro.
- Lime wedges.
- Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Shredded cheese.
- Honey cornbread muffins.
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
White Bean Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 lb. lean ground turkey
- 2 cans cannellini or Great Northern beans rinsed and drained
- 14.5 ounces low sodium fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 lime juiced, plus more for serving
- ¼ cup freshly chopped cilantro
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté 5-6 minutes until onion is translucent and softened. Add the garlic and spices and sauté 30 seconds more.1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 large yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the ground turkey and 1/4 cup water and stir, breaking up the meat into pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 lb. lean ground turkey
- While the turkey is cooking, mash one cup of the rinsed and drained beans in a bowl with a fork. When the turkey is cooked through, add the mashed beans, whole beans, tomatoes and chicken broth, and stir until combined. Bring to a boil, reduce heat slightly, and simmer 20-30 more minutes until thickened.2 cans cannellini or Great Northern beans, 14.5 ounces low sodium fire roasted diced tomatoes, 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- Remove from heat and add the lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper to taste. Serve with lime wedges and avocado if desired and enjoy!1 lime, ¼ cup freshly chopped cilantro, salt and pepper
Video
Notes
- Pro tip: If you prefer your chili on the thicker side, start with 2 cups of chicken broth and add up to 1 additional cup as needed.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This post was originally published in January 2013. I’ve updated the recipe and photos, but most of the text remains the same.
86 Comments on “White Bean Turkey Chili”
This recipe makes 6 servings. How much is one serving? 1 cup, 2 cups?
I didn’t pour the entire mixture into a measuring cup so I don’t know exactly how many cups the recipe yields. I’d say a safe bet is around 1 cup per serving.
This is really flavourful with a lighter, brighter profile than traditional chili. I omit the chicken broth for a heartier texture.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi, have you ever doubled the recipe? Would you suggest doubling everything exactly?
Hi Julie! I have not doubled the recipe, but if I did I would double all of the ingredients exactly. It may take a bit longer to cook, but it should work perfectly!
This is a family hit! I’ve started to make it several times a month in fact! We just love the simplicity. Since my 7 yr old doesn’t “like” tomatoes, I blend them along with the portion of beans and he doesn’t event know they’re in there! It thickens it a bit, so I just add a little more broth as needed. I’ve made it with rotisserie chicken and ground turkey and it’s great either way. We serve it with some shredded cheese, avocado and corn chips. Thank you for this!
Your 7 year old sounds like my boys when they were little! 🙂 I’m so glad that your family is enjoying this recipe Jennifer, and thank you for the feedback!
Would this do ok in a slow cooker? I’d brown the meat first.
If you do make it in the slow cooker, follow my instructions for this recipe. Be sure not to add the cilantro and lime until it’s done cooking and it should be fine! https://flavorthemoments.com/easy-slow-cooker-turkey-chili/.
Thanks so much!
You’re welcome, and I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Turned out great! I used chicken instead of turkey b/c that’s what I had on hand, added zucchini, pepper and corn so I’d have some veggies. I did 3 hours on high and 2.5 on low just to suit the time I needed it done. I was taking to work in a thermos so didn’t add the fresh toppings but it was still delicious! Will be sure to do again and enjoy with lime and cilantro :). Was refreshingly lighter than my normal chilli.
Thank you so much for your feedback and I’m glad you enjoyed the chili!
Made this last night & me & the hubby fell in love with it! Going back to the store for more ingredients! I’ll make a double from now on! Thanks for the amazing recipe!
Thank you for your feedback Veronica! This is my favorite chili recipe and I’m so glad to hear that you love it to!
I tried this tonight….YUM! I added chili flakes and cinnamon (I was out of chili powder) and an extra can of beans, then dressed with with a little sour cream, avocado and lime…best turkey chili I’ve had! Great recipe!
Your modifications sound delicious, and I’m so glad that you enjoyed the chili Christina!
So perfect for fall! I replaced the water work white wine and added green chilies. So good!!
I’m so glad you liked the recipe Kayla!
I was very happy to come across this recipe, as others are too spicy, too gloppy, to relentlessly low-fat (I am also very concerned about nutrition, but not denaturing foods!) Don’t forget that chopped herbs (cilantro/coriander, parsley etc) are very important in term of nutrition. I’m bringing in my balcony herbs now sadly.
I don’t believe in denaturing foods either. I’m glad you enjoyed this!
hi can i use leftover turkey instead of ground turkey? how much please 🙂
Lee
Hi Lee — I haven’t tried this but I’m sure you can. Simply add up to a pound of chopped turkey once you get the chili simmering. I’d love to hear how it turns out!
I have been alll about the cozy soups and chili lately and this would be no exception! Looks like a perfect fall dinner!!
It hasn’t been very cool here yet but that hasn’t stopped me! 🙂 Thanks Ashley!
I don’t make white chili NEARLY as often as I should! Seriously loving this turkey version! It’s been freezing in Wisconsin lately so I’m ALL about cozy food like this!
It had been a while since I made chili at all so this really hit the spot! Sounds like you really need a warm cozy bowl so I hope you get some soon! 🙂
Wish I could grab the bowl full of deliciousness right away.. So warm and comforting…love it!!
I wish I could send you some! Thanks Arpita!
Want to try tonight but only have chickpeas, kidney beans and black beans on hand. Think I can substitute?
I think chickpeas would work very well!
I’ve never had a white bean chili, but it’s absolutely something I would love to try! Mashing some of the beans to act as a thickener is a genius idea, and I bet the cilantro and lime add a wonderful flavour!
My husband isn’t normally into chili (neither are my kids!) but they’ll eat this one! It’s definitely a favorite of mine with all the fresh flavor. Thanks Leanne! 🙂
This is a delicious white chili. I was searching recipes and this one really caught my eye. I didn’t have yellow onion on hand but I had red so I chopped it and served it on top as a fixin along with the avocado and some sour cream. Could sub plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream. I was worried my husband wouldn’t be a fan but he ate 2 bowls! This is definitely a keeper. I had to add some tomato paste to mine because it was a bit too watery for our preference.
Thanks so much for your feedback, Tracie, and I’m glad you enjoyed the chili!
How would you freeze this? And thaw later?
I freeze it in Tupperware (or use zip top bag) and thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Just the recipe I was looking for – but it doesn’t specify how much turkey to use! I’m guessing a pound and making it anyway.
Embarrassingly, you’re right — I left out the turkey! Yes…use 1 pound and I’ll modify the recipe later this morning. Thank you for the heads up!