Description
This Apple Sage Turkey Chili is a cozy and flavorful fall favorite. It combines lean ground turkey with the sweetness of apples and the earthiness of sage for a unique and satisfying chili. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep, this recipe is easy to make on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground turkey (93%)
- 1 large apple, peeled and diced (Gala or Honeycrisp)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1 can white beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 tsp ground sage
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.
- Stir in diced apple and bell pepper; cook 3-4 minutes until softened slightly.
- Add tomato paste, sage, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Stir and cook 2 minutes to deepen flavor.
- Pour in apple cider, broth, and diced tomatoes. Stir in beans and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavorful.
- Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra chili powder. Serve warm.
- For slow cooker: Follow steps 1-4, then transfer to a crockpot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use sweet-tart apples like Gala or Honeycrisp for the best flavor balance.
- Don’t skip browning the turkey and aromatics; it adds depth.
- Adjust apple cider for sweetness; 1/2 cup keeps it balanced.
- Top with avocado, cheese, or green onions for serving.
- Freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Chili, Fall Recipes
- Method: Stovetop, Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg