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Apple Sage Turkey Chili

Apple sage turkey chili with tender apple pieces and hearty white beans, simmered until the flavors meld. Ground turkey browns first for a rich, savory base, then the chili simmers until the apples soften.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ground turkey
  • 2 lb ground turkey
Apples
  • 2 apples peeled and diced
White beans
  • 2 can (15 oz) white beans drained
Onion and celery
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
Garlic and herbs
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh sage chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme
Broth and tomatoes
  • 2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
Spices
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.25 salt to taste
  • 0.25 pepper to taste
Serving toppings
  • 1 sour cream for serving
  • 1 cheddar for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Brown the turkey
  1. Brown the ground turkey in a large pot over medium-high heat until no longer pink, then drain off excess fat. The turkey should look golden-brown before you move to the next step.
Sauté aromatics and spices
  1. Sauté the onion, celery, and diced apple for 5 minutes over medium heat. Cook until the onion turns translucent and the apple begins to soften.
  2. Add the minced garlic, chopped fresh sage, fresh thyme, cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, then cook for 2 minutes. Stir until fragrant and the spices look slightly toasted.
Simmer into chili
  1. Add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and drained white beans, then bring the mixture to a boil. You should see active bubbling across the surface.
  2. Simmer for 20-25 minutes over low to medium-low heat until flavors meld and the apples soften into the chili. The chili should thicken slightly and look cohesive.
Finish and serve
  1. Season with salt and pepper to taste, stirring until evenly distributed. Taste and adjust so the seasoning pops without overpowering the apples.
  2. Serve hot with sour cream and cheddar on top. The toppings should melt slightly or soften from the heat for a creamy finish.

Notes

Pro tip: dice the apples small so they soften evenly during the 20-25 minute simmer. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4 days; reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of broth if it thickens. Freezing is yes—cool completely, freeze in portions up to 3 months, then thaw overnight and reheat. For a lighter option, use lean ground turkey (or substitute ground turkey breast) while keeping the same simmer time.