Guiltless Back to School Chili

Name: Guiltless Back to School Chili
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 4-6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/4 lb ground turkey, 99% lean (or 93%); 1 medium onion, diced; 3 clove garlic; olive oil for frying (splashes); 2 14.5 oz diced tomatoes-garlic, onion, basil flavored; 1/2 can(s) tomato paste, 3 oz.; 1 c vegetable broth; 1 can(s) Green Giant Mexican style corn, 11 oz.; 1 bunch (handful) fresh spinach leaves (optional); 1 can(s) black beans drained (optional), 15 oz.; SEASONING MIX; 3 Tbsp brown sugar; 1 Tbsp chili powder; 1 Tbsp cumin; 1 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp pepper; 2 tsp dried oregano

By Allison Hazell
@ahazell

I wanted a good chili flavor and consistency without hamburger or beans. Sounded impossible. Found a recipe on Pinterest. However, it was way too HOT and I didn't care for the kale but liked the idea of it being nutritious. So I changed a lot of the ingredients and seasoning portions. Now, I've found a recipe that gives me the hearty chili goodness without all of the guilt, fat, HEAT and calories. However, you can make this with hamburger/pork and beans and it will be great! For me, this is just how I like it. Serve with a crisp white or mellow red wine and a crusty loaf of French bread.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

This simple chili is not only healthy, it's packed with flavor. We did add the optional spinach and black beans and recommend you do too. It makes this chili slightly different. The seasoning mixture is sweet and savory at the same time. Between the cumin and chili powder, this really does have a punch of flavor. Make sure to serve the French bread to soak up all the leftover goodness. This is a nice and hearty dinner for when the weather turns cooler. The Test Kitchen

Rating:

★★★★☆ 3 votes4

Comments:

14 Comments

Serves:

4-6

Prep:

20 Min

Cook:

1 Hr

Method:

Stove Top

Ingredients

Add to Grocery List

1 1/4 lb

ground turkey, 99% lean (or 93%)
1 medium

onion, diced
3 clove

garlic
·

olive oil for frying (splashes)
2

14.5 oz diced tomatoes-garlic, onion, basil flavored
1/2 can(s)

tomato paste, 3 oz.
1 c

vegetable broth
1 can(s)

Green Giant Mexican style corn, 11 oz.
1 bunch

(handful) fresh spinach leaves (optional)
1 can(s)

black beans drained (optional), 15 oz.
SEASONING MIX
3 Tbsp

brown sugar
1 Tbsp

chili powder
1 Tbsp

cumin
1 1/2 tsp

salt
1 tsp

pepper
2 tsp

dried oregano

How to Make Guiltless Back to School Chili

Step-by-Step

Mix all of the seasonings together with a fork until well blended in a small bowl. Set aside.
Brown turkey in olive oil and set aside.
In large pan or Dutch oven, splash a little olive oil. Saute onions and garlic for about 3 minutes until soft.
Add tomato paste, seasoning mix and garlic to the onion. Stir until well incorporated.
Then add diced tomatoes, corn and if you are adding beans. Stir.
Then add turkey and vegetable broth.
Turn heat up to medium, then cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes. I simmered for 1 hour and it was great.
If adding spinach, throw spinach in.
Cook chili for 15-20 minutes longer.