This White Bean Turkey Chili recipe is one of those delicious chili recipes you can't get enough of! It's easy made in the Instant Pot. Slimmed down in calories and bursting with bold flavors!
A white bean chili recipe is a great alternative to regular chili. It's a non-traditional chili recipe you'll have in regular rotation. The entire family will love this flavorful chili.
Making this healthy turkey chili recipe in the pressure cooker lets you do other things while the Instant Pot does the cooking. It blends the flavors in a shorter amount of time and the cook times are shorter than stove top chili recipe.
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What makes this skinny?
Ground turkey vs. ground beef. Using 99% fat free ground turkey saves about 50 calories over using the leanest equivalent (95%) ground beef. Fat gives flavor but in a chili recipe where there are lots of bold seasonings lean turkey is a perfect choice.
No cream. Some white chili recipes include some heavy cream. We passed on that since it doesn't add much flavor or texture benefit and adds unwanted calories.
Recipe Ingredients Notes
Great Northern White beans. Drain and rinse the canned beans. If you'd like to use homemade cooked beans you'll need a total of 3 cups.
Carrots. Large, peeled carrots will be used. They can be sliced or diced depending on your personal preference.
Onion. You'll use a small onion. We used yellow onion but white onion can also be used.
Ground turkey. We used 99% fat free ground turkey.
Chicken broth. We used fat-free chicken broth but low sodium chicken stock can be used also.
Topping ideas
One of the best parts of chili recipes is the toppings! This white chili recipe is no different. Here are some of our favorite toppings:
- thinly slice jalapeno peppers
- fat reduced sour cream or non fat plain Greek yogurt (we love Chobani brand)
- sliced green onions
- shredded cheddar cheese (regular or fat-reduced)
- crushed tortilla chips (if you are a WW member their Sea Salt Tortilla Chips are perfect for this and low points)
- torn fresh cilantro leaves
- lime wedges for a squeeze of lime juice
How to make White Bean Turkey Chili in the Instant Pot - Step-by-Step
STEP 1. Sauté
Heat the Instant Pot to the Sauté function. Add the olive oil, onion, and carrot (photos 1-2). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft-- about 5 minutes (photo 3).
Next add the garlic and ground turkey (photo 4) and cook turkey, stirring occasionally, until the turkey has browned-- another 5 minutes.
STEP 2. Deglaze
Add the chicken stock and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (photo 5). This step is critical especially for newer Instant Pot models which will register a BURN warning if any food particles are stuck to the Instant Pot insert after sautéing when in a pressure cooking cycle.
STEP 3. Combine and Cook
Add the diced tomatoes, great northern beans, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, and Italian seasoning (photo 6). Stir to combine (photo 7).
Seal the lid and put the pressure release valve is in the “sealing” position. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook - Manual for 8 minutes.
When the cooking cycle has completed, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. Then, preform a manual release by switching the valve to the “venting” position.
Salt and black pepper to taste.
STEP 4. Serve
Enjoy hot, topped with favorite toppings.
Variations
Swap in leftover turkey. Instead of lean ground turkey you can use chopped or shredded leftover turkey. Skip the browning of the turkey and add with the spices before cooking the chili.
Rotisserie chicken. This is another option instead of cooking ground turkey. Add it chopped or shredded before the cooking cycle.
Fire roasted tomatoes. If you can find diced fire roasted tomatoes they add even more earthy flavor to the chili.
Use different beans. You can swap in other white beans like navy beans or cannellini beans (also called 'white kidney beans').
Want it spicier? Add some chipotle chili powder (gives a smoky flavor) or cayenne pepper for some heat.
Try ground chicken instead of turkey. This will still keep the white chili but adds a different protein option. Personally we find ground turkey easier to brown but if you have ground chicken, use it!
Frequently Asked Questions
6-quart.
How to Store
Allow the white chili to cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop in a saucepan.
How to Freeze
This healthy white bean turkey chili freezes great too. Allow to cool. Place in an airtight freezer-safe container leaving ¾ inch space on top for expansion. Freeze for 4-6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Recipe
Instant Pot White Bean Turkey Chili
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 large carrots peeled and sliced or diced
- 2 medium garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound 99% fat free ground turkey
- 1 cup fat-free chicken broth
- 2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes
- 2 15-ounce cans great northern beans drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Heat the Instant Pot to the SAUTE function. Add the olive oil, onion, and carrot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft (about 5 minutes).
- Add the garlic and ground turkey and cook, stirring occasionally, until the turkey has browned (5 minutes).
- Add the chicken broth or stock and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Important before the pressure cooking cycle to avoid a burn warning.
- Add the diced tomatoes, great northern beans, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Seal the lid and set the pressure release valve to the “sealing” position. Select Manual - High Pressure for 8 minutes.
- When the cooking cycle is completed allow a NATURAL RELEASE for 5 minutes followed by a MANUAL RELEASE to release any remaining pressure.
- Season salt and black pepper to taste.
- Enjoy warm, topped with your favorite garnishes. Store any leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- thinly slice jalapeno peppers
- fat reduced sour cream or non fat plain Greek yogurt (we love Chobani brand)
- sliced green onions
- shredded cheddar cheese (regular or fat-reduced)
- crushed tortilla chips (if you are a WW member their Sea Salt Tortilla Chips are perfect for this and low points)
- torn fresh cilantro leaves
- lime wedges for a squeeze of lime juice
Ash B says
I've never thought to make turkey chili before until now. It is delicious and definitely rivals regular chili for me.
Maggie says
Delicious looking chili! Perfect for a cold day like today.
Jessica says
I absolutely love cooking with my Instant Pot but ran out of different things to try so when I found this chili, I thought I'd give it a go because it looked delicious. IT WAS! So good and easy, thank you!
wilhelmina says
This is a great instant pot recipe! Cooked up perfectly. We were enjoying a hearty bowl of chili in no time!
sierra says
this chili has become my new favorite chili! thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Vicky says
Life is so much easier with an Instant pot! I love using it to make quick and hearty meals for my family like this chili. This is a healthy meal that is perfect for a cold night!
Sarah James says
Your white bean chilli looks delicious. I like how you haven't used cream, looking forward to trying your recipe.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
This was amazing and such a treat! Thank you!
Tara says
Oh yum! Such fantastic, comforting flavors packed into this chili. I love how easily it comes together in the instant pot.
Tavo says
This soup looks fantastic! I am making it tonight since the weather calls for something cozy, and this seems to be the answer! Thanks for the detailed instructions!