• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Pinch Me Good

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Quick and Easy Salads
    • Healthy Side Dishes
    • Healthy Snacks and Appetizers
    • Dressings And Sauces
    • Healthy Desserts
  • Meal Planning and Prep
  • How To’s
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Meal Planning and Prep
  • How To’s
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Pinch Me Good! » Main Dishes » Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Chili

    Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Chili

    January 22, 2021 by Amy Estes 5 Comments

    85 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Please note that some of the links are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links.

    This Instant Pot Turkey Chili makes the best healthy comfort food recipe to enjoy in the fall and winter. It is loaded with protein and fiber and cooks in the pressure cooker in less than 20 minutes! The flavor is so amazing that it tastes like it has been slow cooking all day long.

    two bowls of red turkey chili on a white table with chips and limes next to it.

    This incredible instant pot turkey chili comes together so quickly yet tastes as if you have been slaving over the stove cooking it all day long! It is so wonderfully flavorful and packed with protein. It has a subtle spicy kick that even the kids will love!

    Try this low-carb turkey chili for a bean-free chili that also cooks quickly and is loaded with fantastic flavor.

    The best part about this chili recipe is that you can easily customize it so everyone, even the kids can enjoy it! Plus this chili is healthier since we swapped ground beef with lean ground turkey, reducing some of the fat and calories while keeping all the tasty and delicious flavors.

    Why you’ll love this recipe

    • Healthy – packed with protein and fiber all in one bowl! Plus it is lower in fat than traditional chili.
    • Quick and easy – you can make it in 20 minutes!
    • Made in one pot – this is an Instant Pot recipe so only one pot to clean.
    • Packed with flavor – the flavors are marvelous and filled with smokey mixed in with a little kick of spice.
    • Great for topping – top it with shredded cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, chives, and lime.
    • Stores and reheats great – perfect for meal prep or just enjoying leftovers.

    Why cook chili in the Instant Pot?

    It makes sense to cook recipes like soups and chilis in the instant pot simply because you still get all of that slow-simmered flavor but in much less time. You can just pop everything into the pot, cover it, set it to cook, and walk away. Of course, always stay close by when you have something cooking but there is no constant stirring or watching the chili because the Instant Pot does all of the work for you. It’s AMAZING!

    It is very similar to the texture of this one pot pumpkin chili that we are also loving for fall!

    turkey, veggies, chili beans and spices in bowls on a white surface

    Ingredients you will need

    • Lean ground turkey – I recommend 93/7 ground turkey for the best flavor in this recipe. Plus, the meat needs a little bit of fat since we are pressure-cooking the chili.
    • Veggies – bell peppers, corn, onion. You can use frozen or fresh but I think that fresh veggies just have more flavor. Canned corn will also work great!
    • Beans – I used a combination of black beans and pinto chili beans for the incredible punch of flavor and added protein and fiber. Kidney beans would also work fine.
    • Tomatoes – fire-roasted diced tomatoes and tomato paste add so much incredible tomato essence and texture to this chili.
    • Chicken stock – low sodium chicken stock is best but any will work!
    • Red enchilada sauce – adds a nice zesty, spicy kick to the chili. Homemade or store-bought is fine.
    • Spices – chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
    • Olive oil – extra virgin olive oil to help brown the turkey and add some incredible flavor.

    How to make turkey chili in the instant pot

    This incredible healthy turkey chili comes together in 20 minutes and is cooked in the Instant Pot. This recipe can be made in a 6 or 8-quart instant pot.

    *Be sure to check out the complete list of recipe ingredients and instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post.

    1. Sauté the veggies. Set the Instant Pot to the “sauté‘” setting, and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the bottom of the pot. Once it is hot add in the diced onion and bell peppers, season with salt and pepper, toss and let cook for a few minutes until the veggies are nice and soft and the onions are translucent. Add the tomato paste and stir it in to wake up all of that great flavor.
    2. Mix up the chili seasoning. Add all of the seasonings to a small bowl with some salt and pepper and mix well to combine. Add the spice mix to the pot with the veggies along with the minced garlic, stir and cook for 2 minutes.
    3. Brown the turkey. Add the ground turkey to the pot and cook it until it is no longer pink and slightly browned.
    4. Add corn, beans, enchilada sauce, tomatoes, and stock.
    5. Stir that all together and season everything with more salt and pepper if needed.
    6. Secure the lid to the Instant Pot and make sure the release valve is set to the “sealing” position. Set the pot to the “chili/meat stew” setting for 18 minutes. It will take a few minutes to heat up and then about another 10 minutes for the steam to release after it is done cooking. You can also do a manual release if your Instant Pot doesn’t do it automatically.

    Ladle the chili into bowls and top it with your favorite toppings, literally the best part!

    Bowl of Turkey Chili topped with diced avocado, cheese and sour cream.

    I love this chili so much! My husband and I ate it for dinner and could not wait to enjoy it again for lunch the next day. It is one of those recipes that when it is all gone you are super disappointed and just have to make it again.

    Seriously though, it really is crazy amazing!

    Tips for making instant pot turkey chili

    • Make it in an Instant Pot or slow cooker. Using one of these methods allows the chili to cook much faster but still gives you all of that amazing flavor you would get from cooking it on the stove for hours. Also if you do not own an Instant Pot or slow cooker, you should, they are incredible tools to have in the kitchen for making quick, tasty meals.
    • Use good quality ingredients. So important in chili especially since you can really taste all of the flavors and textures. I used organic, lean ground turkey meat, organic, low-sodium beans, enchilada sauce, stock, and diced tomatoes. I like to use low sodium so I can control the salt in my food.
    • Mix up the homemade chili seasoning before adding it to the pot. Mixing up the spices before adding them allows for a more even balance of flavor in the chili and in most recipes for that matter.
    • Season the chili well with salt and pepper to your taste. Do not forget to use salt and pepper in this recipe since it has a lot of liquids and needs seasoning to blend it all together nicely.
    • Use all of the toppings! I love topping my chili with a squeeze of lime, sour cream, cilantro, and shredded cheddar cheese and then adding in a few tortilla chips. The best part of enjoying chili. So good!

    Is turkey chili healthy?

    Yes, it is! This turkey chili is made with lean ground turkey, beans, fresh veggies and low-sodium stock, and diced tomatoes so it is packed with protein, low in fat and so tasty that nobody will believe that it is healthy!

    Just don’t go overboard on the chips and toppings and it will be a great healthy meal option any day of the week.

    Can I make this recipe in the slow cooker?

    Yes, you can! To make this chili in the slow cooker: follow the instructions until cooking the chili.   Secure the lid to your slow cooker and set it for 3-5 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low. 

    Serving suggestions

    • Toppings: Serve this chili with all of the best fixings like sour cream or plain greek yogurt, shredded cheddar cheese, diced avocado, lime, cilantro, and of course, tortillas chips!
    • Use it in other recipes: you can serve it stuffed inside a baked sweet potato like we did with these chili-stuffed sweet potatoes or make a great breakfast topped with a fried egg!
    • Serve it as a side dish or appetizer: My family loves it piled on top of some homemade crispy french fries or piled in between some warm biscuits. Of course, some warm naan bread would also be great as a side with this chili!

    Storing, freezing, and reheating chili

    • Storing: You can transfer the chili, once it is cooled to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze this chili for up to 2 months in a freezer-friendly container.
    • Thawing frozen chili: Defrost frozen chili in the fridge overnight then reheat it as noted below.
    • Reheating: You can easily reheat portions in the microwave or on the stovetop in a pot until warmed through.
    Turkey chili in a round white bowl with avocado and cheese on top of it.

    Other Instant Pot recipes

    • Curried Butternut Squash Soup
    • Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
    • Instant Pot Lentil Soup
    • Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

    More ground turkey recipes

    • Amazing Healthy Turkey Burger
    • 10 Minute Healthy Turkey Meatballs – Air Fryer Recipe
    • Healthy Veggie Turkey Meatloaf
    • Turkey Zucchini Meatballls

    Did you try this instant pot turkey chili recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how it turned out!

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

    Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Chili


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    • Author: Amy Estes
    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    • Yield: 10 1x
    • Diet: Low Calorie
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This instant pot turkey chili is loaded with incredible flavor and protein! You can make it in under 20 minutes and it tastes like it has been cooking all day long. Customize the flavors for a fun and delicious meal the whole family will love! Don’t forget the toppings!


    Ingredients

    Scale

    For the veggies

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 medium white onion – peeled and diced
    • 1 medium green bell pepper – diced
    • 1 medium red bell pepper – diced
    • 3 cloves of garlic – minced
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • Kosher salt and black pepper – to taste

    For the chili seasoning

    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

    For the chili

    • 1 and 1/2 pounds of lean ground turkey
    • 1 (10oz) can of red enchilada sauce
    • 1 (15oz) can of chili pinto beans
    • 1 (15oz) can black beans – I used low-sodium
    • 1 (15oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
    • 1 cup chicken stock
    • 1 and 1/2 cups corn – I used canned corn
    • Kosher salt and black – pepper to taste

    For topping and serving

    • Sliced avocado
    • Sour cream
    • Greek Yogurt 
    • Shredded cheddar cheese
    • Cilantro 
    • Limes
    • Tortilla chips

    Instructions

    1. Sauté the veggies. Set the Instant Pot to the “sauté‘” setting, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the bottom of the pot. Once it is hot add in the diced onion and bell peppers, season with salt and pepper, toss and let cook for a few minutes until the veggies are nice and soft and the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and tomato paste and stir it in to wake up all of that great flavor.
    2. Mix up the chili seasoning. Add all of the seasonings to a small bowl with some salt and pepper and mix well to combine. Add the spice mix to the pot with the veggies along with the minced garlic, stir and cook for 2 minutes.
    3. Brown the turkey. Add the ground turkey to the pot and cook it until it is no longer pink and slightly browned.
    4. Add in the enchilada sauce, beans, tomatoes, stock, and corn.
    5. Stir that all together and season everything with more salt and pepper if needed.
    6. Secure the lid to the Instant Pot and make sure the release valve is set to the “sealing” position. Set the pot to the “chili/meat stew” setting for 18 minutes. It will take a few minutes to heat up and then about another 10 minutes for the steam to release after it is done cooking. You can also do a manual release if your Instant Pot doesn’t do it automatically.
    7. Carefully remove the lid, stir and taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve hot with your favorite chili toppings. 

    Equipment

    instant pot

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    • Customizations – switch up the veggies and use any type of peppers and onions you like, you can use any chili seasoning blend as well. 
    • Topping – use fun toppings like lime, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced jalapenos, and tortilla chips. 
    • Storing – you can store this chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it in a freezer-friendly container in the freezer for up to 2 months. 
    • Thawing and reheating – thaw frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat it right from the fridge in the microwave or in a pot on the stovetop until warmed through. 
    • Prep Time: 5
    • Cook Time: 20
    • Category: Healthy Dinner Ideas
    • Method: Instant Pot
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: instant pot Turkey Chili, chili, healthy chili, Turkey Chili

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @pinchmegoodfood on Instagram and hashtag it #pinchmegoodfood

    « Easy Veggie Chicken Pizza Bake
    15 Minute Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries »

    Filed Under: 30 Minute Meals, Favorite Winter Recipes, Gluten-Free, Instant Pot Recipes, Kid-Friendly, Main Dishes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rebecca

      January 18, 2022 at 8:47 pm

      How much chicken stock are you supposed to use? It is not included on the ingredients list.

      Reply
      • Amy

        January 19, 2022 at 1:43 pm

        Hi Rebecca, Thank you for letting me know. I have updated the recipe card. It is 1 cup of chicken stock.

        Reply
        • Rebecca

          January 29, 2022 at 9:50 pm

          Thank you! I love the recipe! I’m making it for the second time already.

          Reply
    2. Sabrina

      March 30, 2022 at 12:53 pm

      I love my Instant Pots and I’m always looking for delicious recipes. This one did not disappoint! The recipe & instructions were so easy to follow. The chili was amazing & so tasty. Thanks for this….its a keeper!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Amy

        April 5, 2022 at 3:43 pm

        Hi Sabrina, I am so glad you liked it!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there,
    I'm Amy and I'm so excited to share my best healthy recipes and tips with you. I hope I can inspire you to eat better, feel better, and get back in the kitchen. Read More…

    Amy Estes: View My Blog Posts

    Search recipes:

    Most Popular

    Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl – with black beans

    Mixe kale salad in a white salad bowl with wooden serving spoons in the bowl.

    Easy Kale Salad With Lemon Dressing

    Eggplant Meatballs with mushrooms and garlic

    The Best Healthy Turkey Meatloaf – Gluten Free

    two grey plates filled with arugula salad topped with crispy breaded chicken breast

    Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Breast – 15 minutes

    Cut cooked dark chocolate brownies on top of white parchment paper with a wooden bowl of sea salt behind it.

    The Best Healthy Brownies – Gluten Free

    Best Healthy Zucchini Muffins – Gluten Free

    Healthy Baked Beet Chips – Vegan/Gluten Free

    Healthy Spring Recipes

    Easy Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies – 20 Minutes

    Two glasses filled with a white, creamy smoothie topped with peanut butter drizzle with a brown bowl of whole dates behind it.

    Healthy Date Shake – Vegan

    Air Fryer Zucchini – Gluten Free + Low Carb

    The BEST Instant Pot Deviled Eggs

    Easy 10 Minute Healthy Tzatziki Sauce

    Creamy Vegan Asparagus Soup (Dairy Free)

    Best Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips

    Cooked meatballs in a white bowl with tzatziki sauce and cucumber tomato salad with a slice of lemon next to the bowl and a silver fork on the other side.

    20 Minute Healthy Greek Meatballs – (Gluten Free)

    Footer

    As Seen On

    As Seen On

    CONTACT | PRIVACY POLICY