White Bean Turkey Chili – Delicious & Easily Customizable!
This white bean turkey chili is so easy and delicious and can be easily adapted for chicken or vegetables! The addition of salsa verde and cream cheese makes the chili a bit creamy and full of flavor. This recipe is the perfect way to repurpose that extra Thanksgiving turkey meat into a warm, comforting bowl of chili that’s easy to make and packed with flavor.
When the cool weather hits, one of our favorite things is to make soups! There is just something so comforting about a warm, nutritious bowl of soup during the fall and winter. Add in the fact that this recipe is a wonderful way to mix up leftovers, and you have a new favorite fall soup!
What is White Bean Turkey Chili?
This variation on a chili recipe is a rich, flavorful soup that combines ground or diced turkey, great northern beans, spices, salsa verde, and carrots. Cream cheese makes the soup a little bit creamy and even more flavorful! This soup is a favorite of ours to make with leftover holiday turkey. Simply dice it into smaller pieces or use fresh ground turkey or chicken.
Full of herbs like oregano and garlic, nutrient-rich bone broth, and yummy salsa verde, this recipe is nourishing, comforting, and oh so delicious.
White Bean Turkey Chili Ingredients
- Turkey or chicken: I love that this recipe is versatile enough to use ground chicken or turkey or meat already cooked! To use fresh ground meat, simply brown the meat first before adding other ingredients.
- Onions and garlic: Aromatics that add lots of flavor to the dish.
- Carrots
- Zucchini (optional): I am always sneaking vegetables in wherever I can, so I often add diced zucchini to this recipe as well!
- Chili seasoning: I like to make homemade chili seasoning mix. It makes the dish taste even more amazing!
- Chicken broth: I opt for bone broth to get in some extra nutrients! I typically use Kettle & Fire from Costco or Trader Joe’s brand.
- Great northern beans: These beans add texture and extra protein to the chili.
- Salsa verde: This ingredient is what makes this recipe so yummy! It adds a little bit of spice and a Mexican flair that pairs well with the spices and cream cheese.
- Cream cheese: Cream cheese makes the soup a little creamy and adds another layer of flavor. Don’t skip it!
- Shredded cheddar: We prefer a sharp cheddar, but any variety will work well. I like to buy a block of cheese and shred it myself.
- Avocado, sour cream, lime wedges, corn chips: These are our favorite additions for serving the chili, but they are optional. Add your own favorites as desired!
FAQs
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, you can definitely make this chili vegetarian. Leave off the turkey, add an extra can of beans, and add some vegetables to make the soup more hearty!
Can I use a different meat?
You can really use any meat you like! Rotisserie chicken and leftover sliced turkey are already cooked and can be diced and added to the soup. Ground meat needs to be browned before you make the soup.
Can I substitute the cream cheese?
If you do not have cream cheese, you can use heavy cream or half and half.
Tips for the best White Bean Turkey Chili
- Use a packet of chili seasoning if you don’t want to make your own.
- Allow the cream cheese to sit at room temperature while you are preparing the chili so that it is softened and melts easily.
- Serve with sour cream, avocado, and corn chips or cornbread.
- To save time, use a rotisserie chicken or leftover holiday turkey.
- This chili is delicious the next day after the flavors and spices have melded together overnight!
Variations for White Bean Turkey Chili
- Rotisserie chicken: Swap the turkey for a rotisserie chicken that has been pulled into small pieces.
- Black beans: Use black beans instead of great northern beans.
- Pinto beans: Use pinto, kidney, or any beans you have in your pantry. Generally, any beans you have will do! A mix of what you have on hand would be great, too!
- Omit the meat: You can easily make this vegetarian by leaving out the turkey and adding extra beans.
- Vegetables: If you want all vegetables or just more, simply add extra zucchini, carrots, and corn.
- Heavy cream: If you don’t have any cream cheese, use heavy cream or even half and half to add a bit of creaminess to the chili.
I hope you enjoy the recipe!
White Bean Turkey Chili
This white bean turkey chili is so easy, delicious, and can be easily adapted for your tastes! The addition of salsa verde and cream cheese make the chili a bit creamy and full of flavor. It's a great recipe when you need a quick meal and is an easy way to mix up leftovers!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 to 5 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- Optional: 3 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 &1/2 Tbsp chili seasoning
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 2 to 3 cups cooked, shredded turkey or chicken
- 4 to 6 cups chicken broth/bone broth
- 6 to 8 oz organic cream cheese
- 2 cans great northern beans
- 1 jar salsa verde
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Lime wedges, sour cream, corn chips, optional for serving
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onions are translucent.
- While the onions and garlic are cooking, chop your carrots.
- Add in the carrots and cover the pot. Cook until the carrots are almost soft, then add in the diced zucchini, if using. If not using veggies, simply skip this step!
- If using raw turkey or chicken, brown it in a separate pan until completely cooked.
- Add the cooked turkey or chicken to the pot, along with all the spices, salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Pour in the chicken broth, stir, then allow the soup to simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Next, add the canned white beans and salsa verde, and mix well.
- Then, add in the softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese, and mix well.
- Remove the pan from the heat, but keep the pot on the stove to melt the cream cheese and cheddar.
- Ladle the chili into bowls and top with lime juice, shredded cheese, avocado slices, and/or a dollop of sour cream! Serve with corn chips for extra texture.
Notes
- To make a meatless version, leave out the turkey and add an extra can of beans. Also use an extra carrot and an extra zucchini to make the soup heartier.
- If you don't have cream cheese on hand, you can use about 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half.
