Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

guiltless back to school chili

(3 ratings)
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Allison Hazell
JACKSONVILLE, FL

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 @kitchencrew
(3 ratings)
yield 4 -6
prep time 20 Min
cook time 1 Hr
method Stove Top

Ingredients For guiltless back to school chili

  • 1 1/4 lb
    ground turkey, 99% lean (or 93%)
  • 1 md
    onion, diced
  • 3 clove
    garlic
  • olive oil for frying (splashes)
  • 2
    14.5 oz diced tomatoes-garlic, onion, basil flavored
  • 1/2 can
    tomato paste, 3 oz.
  • 1 c
    vegetable broth
  • 1 can
    Green Giant Mexican style corn, 11 oz.
  • 1 bunch
    (handful) fresh spinach leaves (optional)
  • 1 can
    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

  • Dry spices added to a bowl.
    1
    Mix all of the seasonings together with a fork until well blended in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Browning turkey in a saucepan.
    2
    Brown turkey in olive oil and set aside.
  • Sauteeing onion and garlic in a Dutch oven.
    3
    In large pan or Dutch oven, splash a little olive oil. Saute onions and garlic for about 3 minutes until soft.
  • Adding tomato paste and seasoning to Dutch oven.
    4
    Add tomato paste, seasoning mix and garlic to the onion. Stir until well incorporated.
  • Pouring diced tomatoes into Dutch oven.
    5
    Then add diced tomatoes, corn and if you are adding beans. Stir.
  • Adding turkey and broth to tomato mixture.
    6
    Then add turkey and vegetable broth.
  • Dutch oven with the lid on sitting on the stove.
    7
    Turn heat up to medium, then cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes. I simmered for 1 hour and it was great.
  • Adding leaves of spinach to mixture.
    8
    If adding spinach, throw spinach in.
  • Simmering while spinach cooks.
    9
    Cook chili for 15-20 minutes longer.
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