White Turkey Chili

A great way to use up leftover turkey from the holidays.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated January 16, 2024
Elise Bauer
Turkey White Chili
Elise Bauer

Usually after Thanksgiving, we have plenty of leftover turkey and enough turkey stock for several meals.

Today, I whipped up some turkey white chili, based on our chicken white chili recipe, but made it with cooked turkey meat instead of chicken, and with the beans cooked in homemade turkey stock.

I bumped up the heat a bit from the other recipe. Feel free to dial it down, if you don't like your foods spicy.

Have you ever had white chili? It's called white chili because instead of what you find in the usual chili con carne, it uses white beans, white meat, and mild green chiles. It's absolutely delicious with tortilla chips.

A bowl of white turkey chili garnished with avocado and cilantro and tortilla chips on the side
Elise Bauer

More Ways to Use Up Your Turkey Leftovers

How to Make Chili in the Slow Cooker

If using dry beans, you can cook them in the slow cooker first, then add the rest of the ingredients. Follow Step 3 below for the onions and peppers. Then, add all of the ingredients into your slow cooker.

Cover and cook on low for another 2 to 3 hours or on high for about an hour. Since you're using pre-cooked beans and turkey, the flavors just need to simmer together,

Making this in a slow cooker is perfect for casual parties, where guests can serve themselves and the chili stays warm.

How to Store and Freeze Chili

Refrigerate leftover turkey chili in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Cool before storing.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Or you can take chili right from the freezer and reheat over low heat in a covered saucepan. Stir occasionally to keep the bottom from burning.

Don’t Have Turkey? Make White Chicken Chili

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

White Turkey Chili

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Bean Cooking 3 hrs
Total Time 3 hrs 50 mins
Servings 4 to 5 servings

If you are starting out with dry beans (recommended), you can put the beans into a bowl and pour boiling water over them to speed up the process. Cover the beans with 2 inches of water over them, and let them sit for an hour instead of soaking them overnight (then drain).

You can also pressure cook the beans more quickly than on the stovetop without needing to pre-soak them.

You can also use canned white beans. If you use canned beans, drain them from their juices and combine them with the turkey stock in step one.  Only heat the beans and turkey stock enough to bring the stock to a simmer. You don't need to cook the canned beans, because they are already cooked.

This recipe can easily be doubled.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound dry white beans, soaked overnight in water and drained, or 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans, drained

  • 3 cups turkey stock

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1 medium onion, chopped, divided

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, stem and most seeds removed, chopped (optional)

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • Pinch ground cloves

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 2 (4-ounce) cans chopped green chiles

  • 2 cups diced cooked turkey

  • Salt, to taste (about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon)

Garnishes and extras:

  • 1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese

  • 1/3 cup loosely chopped cilantro

  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions

  • 1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and chopped (or guacamole)

  • Chopped tomatoes or salsa

  • Corn tortilla chips and/or fresh warmed flour tortillas

Method

  1. If using dry beans, cook the beans:

    Combine the soaked and drained beans, turkey stock, and half the onions in a large soup pot and bring to a boil.

    Reduce the heat and simmer until the beans are very soft, 1 to 3 hours or more, depending on the type of white beans you are using.

    Cannelli beans are tender and tend to cook rather quickly. Navy beans take longer. Add additional water (or watered-down stock), if necessary.

    (Or you can skip the soaking, and cook the beans in the turkey stock with the onions in a pressure cooker. Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes, then let release naturally for 10 minutes.)

  2. Combine the cooked beans and the turkey stock:

    In a large soup pot, combine the beans and the turkey stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer.

  3. Cook jalapeño, onions, garlic, green chiles:

    Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped jalapeño (if using) and (remaining) onions, and cook until tender. Add the minced garlic and cook a minute more. Add the green chiles and seasonings and mix thoroughly.

  4. Add the onion mixture and the turkey to the pot:

    Add the jalapeño onion mixture to the stock and beans.

    Add the turkey and salt to taste, and simmer for 10 minutes or more (up to an hour) until the beans are thoroughly soft, and the stew has thickened.

  5. Serve topped with garnish:

    Serve topped with grated cheese. Garnish with cilantro, chopped fresh tomato, salsa, chopped green onions, and/or avocados.

    Serve with fresh warmed flour tortillas or tortilla chips on the side.

    Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!

White Turkey Chili Served With Chips
Elise Bauer
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
343 Calories
7g Fat
39g Carbs
31g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 5
Amount per serving
Calories 343
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 59mg 20%
Sodium 695mg 30%
Total Carbohydrate 39g 14%
Dietary Fiber 8g 29%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 31g
Vitamin C 112mg 558%
Calcium 142mg 11%
Iron 7mg 37%
Potassium 1295mg 28%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.