Home » Recipes » Turkey Chili with Kidney & Black Beans
Lunch

Turkey Chili with Kidney & Black Beans

A big pot of comforting chili that leans on two kinds of beans and a load of vegetables instead of a mountain of meat. It's mild enough for everyone at the table, gets better the next day, and freezes beautifully — exactly the kind of thing that makes a healthy lunch effortless all week.

Total Time
1 hr
Yields
8 servings
Calories
270
Net Carbs
20g
Protein
21g
Turkey Chili with Kidney & Black Beans
Turkey Chili with Kidney & Black Beans
Recipe Card

Turkey Chili with Kidney & Black Beans

Method: Stovetop·Cuisine: American
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Yields
8 servings
Calories
270 / serving
Best Season
Fall & Winter

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne (optional, for mild heat)
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Optional toppings: plain Greek yogurt, chopped cilantro, a little shredded cheddar

Instructions

  1. 1 Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes.
  2. 2 Add the onion, both bell peppers, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 7 to 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  3. 3 Add the tomato paste and all the spices, and cook 1 minute, stirring, until fragrant.
  4. 4 Pour in the crushed tomatoes, both beans, broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
  5. 5 Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring now and then, until thickened to your liking. Taste and adjust the salt and spice.
  6. 6 Ladle into bowls and finish with a dollop of Greek yogurt, cilantro, or a little cheddar.
Meal Prep Tip

Chili is a batch-cooking dream. It keeps 5 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer, and the flavor only deepens overnight — make a double batch and portion it into single-serving containers for grab-and-go lunches.

Nutrition

Per serving — estimate.
Calories 270
Net Carbs 20g
Total Carbs 30g
Fiber 10g
Protein 21g
Fat 8g
Saturated Fat 2g

Nutrition pending review by our registered dietitian — estimate only. Not medical advice.

Keywords
Lunch Freezer-friendly High Fiber High Protein Beans Batch Cook
Besides Sugar

Besides Sugar: Beans Are One of the Healthiest Carbs

Beans give you slow-digesting carbohydrate wrapped in fiber and plant protein, so they raise blood sugar far more gently than refined carbs do — which is why a bean-forward meal like this supports insulin sensitivity rather than working against it.

About Prediabetes Mastermind

Prediabetes Mastermind builds practical, science-backed tools for reversing and managing prediabetes — meal frameworks, recipes, and plans verified by a registered dietitian. We treat prediabetes as a condition worth taking seriously, and we focus on what you can do, not what to fear.

These recipes and their nutrition figures are pending review by our registered dietitian. Nutritional information is an estimate and not medical advice; consult your healthcare provider about your individual plan, especially if you take glucose-lowering medication.

© 2026 Prediabetes Mastermind HomeRecipesAbout us