Big Batch Turkey Chili is a great choice whether you’re gearing up for the big game and need to feed a crowd or just want to get a head start on some extra meals for the week. It’s chock full of ground turkey, tomatoes, 3 kinds of beans and a spice mixture that will appeal to a wide range of tastes. Cocoa powder adds an unexpected depth of flavor and richness.

A “Go To” Chili Recipe

My goal was to create my “go to” chili recipe. Nothing too fancy or out of the ordinary. It had to be a recipe that had mass appeal.

I used to make chili without a recipe and I would impatiently keep adjusting spices until I got just the right balance. But then, if I came out with a winner, I never had the measurements that got me there, so it was difficult to recreate.

I knew that once I got good base recipe down pat, I would have something reliable that I could reach for on a standard chili night at home or for a get together with family friends.

The great thing about any base recipe, is that it can become the foundation for so many variations. Why? Because you know you’re already starting with something good.

So, I started working on a spice balance that I could rely on and a recipe I could trust. I kept track of every change I made until I arrived at what has become my go to chili recipe.

And because it’s a solid recipe, I decided to make it a Big Batch recipe:)

The Benefits of Big Batch Recipes

It’s simple. I have 2 main reasons.

First, big batches are great when you’re feeding a crowd. I know. That’s obvious. However, not all recipes magically double or triple well.

I had a recipe for chili that I adored. It had red wine as one of the ingredients and it was layered with the most delicious flavors. I tripled the recipe for a party once, thinking I would be serving some really amazing chili to my guests.

But, the chili did not taste the same at all. The wine never quite cooked off as it had in the single recipe. And really, the whole flavor profile was off.

Either I needed to adjust the quantities or maybe even the cook times, but either way, it did not turn out as hoped.

Second, you KNOW I like to make big batches as an answer to meal prep. If I can cook once and get 2 or more meals out of a recipe, I am one happy girl. If you feel the same, check out these other big batch recipes:

• Big Batch Baked Oatmeal
• Big Batch Protein Pancakes

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What spices are in Big Batch Turkey Chili?

• dark chili powder
• cumin
• smoked paprika
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• dried oregano
• cayenne-I only use 1/4 teaspoon of this which delivers a mild heat. Omit for no heat or increase for additional heat.

Good spices make a difference, but I wanted to make sure that this recipe tasted good with easy to access grocery store brands like McCormick.

Chili powder is the spice with the greatest quantity, so using different chili powders will definitely affect the flavor.

I’m using McCormick’s Dark Chili Powder {aff. link} for this recipe, but I often switch it up with specialty chili powders. It’s fun to experiment with different variations; each will deliver a different tasting chili.

I’m not gonna lie, though. Good quality spices make a world of difference in many recipes.

I buy a bunch of different spices from Penzey’s, including smoked paprika. If you haven’t used smoked paprika, now’s as good as any time to start. Here are a couple of recipes that wouldn’t be the same without it:

• One Pan Southwestern Quinoa
• Moroccan Chicken

Once you start buying good quality spices, you’ll see the amazing difference they can make to a standard recipe. If you want to start expanding your spice pantry, in addition to Penzey’s, check out Burlap and Barrel and Spicewalla just to name a few.

What kind of cocoa can I use in turkey chili?

You’ll need to use unsweetened cocoa powder. I have at least 6 kinds of natural and dutch processed cocoa in my baking pantry. But for this recipe, much like the spices, I kept it very simple and used Hershey’s Unsweetened Cocoa Powder.

The recipe calls for one tablespoon of cocoa powder. Feel free to experiment with 1 1/2 or 2 tablespoons for an even richer flavor.

For those of you who worry that your chili will taste like chocolate, there’s no need. The cocoa simply adds another layer of rich flavor.

What kind of ground turkey is best for chili?

I prefer a mixture of white and dark meats. I find ground turkey breast to be too dry.

How to make Big Batch Turkey Chili

Once you have all of your ingredients ready, it’s simply a matter of following the process. This is not a dump everything into the pot all at once and cook recipe.

It all happens in one pot, but the order and timing are important.

Saute the Vegetables

First, we’re going to saute the onion and green pepper until soft. Adding salt in at this stage helps the vegetables release their liquid. They need a head start on the garlic, which goes in last so that it doesn’t burn.

And yes, I do use both fresh and granulated garlic in this recipe. I like the additional hit of fresh garlic flavor. Same with the onion.

Add the spice mixture and tomato paste

Add the spice mixture and let it cook for a minute to release their flavors. Follow that with the tomato paste and let that mixture cook briefly.

Add the cocoa powder and turkey

We’re going to add the cocoa powder last so that it doesn’t burn. Trust me. I’ve made the mistake before. While your chili might not be a total loss, you’ll wonder why it tastes a little “off.”

So, add the cocoa powder, give a quick stir then add the turkey right on top and start mixing.

Continue to cook the mixture, breaking up the turkey as you go.

You’ll end up with a richly colored and fragrant mixture.

Add tomatoes and chilis

Add the UNDRAINED diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and canned green chilis. Stir to combine.

How to Reduce Acidity in Chili

I’ve found that baking soda works best in this recipe. Just a teaspoon neutralizes enough acid for me.

When you add the baking soda, you’ll see the chili mixture foam up. Stir the mixture to distribute the baking soda throughout. Keep stirring until the foam subsides.

If you like a sweeter sauce, you can also add a teaspoon or so of sugar. That will also help with the acidity. I haven’t found it necessary though.

Can I use different beans in chili?

Yes! Please! Use your favorites. I went with black beans, pinto beans and red kidney beans because I like a mix. You can go with just one kind of bean or many.

For ease, I went with canned beans that I rinsed and drained.

Add the beans and allow to simmer

Beans are the final ingredient. Simply add them and stir to combine.

I like to let the chili simmer for 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This gives the chili a little time to allow flavors to meld and for the mixture to thicken. You can see the difference between when I added the beans and after the chili had time to simmer.

The mixture will continue to thicken as it cools. And, of course, like most chilis, the flavor gets even better on days 2 and 3.

How to increase the heat for a spicier chili

• Increase cayenne
• Add hot canned diced green chili instead of mild. I’ve roasted my own slightly hotter peppers like jalapenos, serranos and poblanos and diced them myself, but you could certainly add more aggressive varieties. If it were up to my son, we’d be adding habaneros or ghost peppers. Good thing it’s up to me ;)
• Add the sauce and/or the peppers from a can of chilis in adobo sauce. {aff. link} Start with adding a spoonful of the sauce and then adjust to taste. The peppers pack more heat, so start with sauce and then chopped up peppers as desired. This addition won’t be just adding heat, but also flavor and smokiness. You might have to adjust the other spices or it might just be exactly what you want.
• We have different spice level preferences, so we leave the heat up to the individual and have a variety of hot sauces, fresh jalapenos and crushed red pepper flakes available for whomever wants that option.

And there you have it…the recipe that’s on rotation in our house as soon as the weather turns cool. It’s delicious, hearty and satisfying.

And for me, making a big batch also means that dinner is already done for tomorrow. Winner, winner chili dinner :)

Topping Ideas for Big Batch Turkey Chili

• sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• shredded cheese
• chopped fresh cilantro
• fresh lime
• avocado
• jalapeno slices
• hot sauce

Side Dish Ideas for Big Batch Turkey Chili

• Perfectly White Rice
• Perfectly Fluffy Brown Rice
• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Fluffy Sweet Cornbread
• Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits

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