Bean and Einkorn Ground Turkey Chili
Just what you need for a chilly day, this Bean and Einkorn Ground Turkey Chili is hearty and so delicious. Filled with black beans, tender einkorn wheat berries, and ground turkey seasoned with a tons of spices, this chili is simply the best dinner to make as soon as the weather gets colder served with these Blue Cornbread Muffins.
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Why This Recipe is So Good
Everything is cooked in one pot then simmered until all the flavors meld together. It’s comforting and flavorful with the perfect amount of heartiness.
Ground turkey makes this chili light but still so good. This chili contains einkorn wheat berries and beans so you will be full and satisfied.
If you are new to einkorn or freshly milled flour, this is an ancient grain that hasn’t been modified. It’s known to be nutrient-dense, high in fiber with a lower amount of gluten than modern wheat. (chisholmtrailfarm a beginner’s guide to einkorn)
The actual prep for this recipe is about 20 minutes (the rest of the time is just simmering on the stove) and it freezes well so this einkorn chili is perfect for meal prepping so you can have meals for the whole week.
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground Turkey: Lighter but just as delicious alternative to traditional ground beef. Can swap for ground chicken.
- Einkorn wheat berries: This ancient wheat berry has a nutty and chewy texture. It’s earthy and slightly sweet and makes this chili very hearty and filling. Can be swapped for barley or farro, if you can find that more easily.
- Spices: A mix of chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Beans: The combination of beans and einkorn wheat berries increases this fiber in this chili recipe making it extra filling and delicious. Black beans, red or kidney beans or even white beans can be used, just whatever you like.
How To Make Bean and Einkorn Ground Turkey Chili
All ingredients, measurements, and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Sauté onions in olive oil in a medium pot with a generous pinch of salt until soft and just starting to brown.
Stir in ground turkey and spices. Cook until the turkey is cooked through then add in minced garlic, cooking until fragrant.
Next, stir in crushed tomatoes, water, chicken broth, bay leaves, einkorn wheat berries, and cooked and drained black beans. Bring chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Continue cooking, covered, for an additional 45 minutes or until the einkorn is soft and tender.
Divide and serve ground turkey chili in bowls topped with cilantro, sour cream, and shredded cheese.
Looking For More Recipes?
- Spicy Ground Turkey Chili with Black Beans
- The Best Chili
- Instant Pot Chili Recipe
- Ground Turkey Enchiladas
- Warm Einkorn Spinach Salad
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Bean and Einkorn Ground Turkey Chili
Equipment
- Medium-sized pot
Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 18 ounces crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- ½ cup water
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth low-sodium
- 2 bay leaves
- ⅔ cup einkorn wheat berries I added a bit more, or use 1/3 cup dry barley, rinsed and drained
- 1 – 2 cups cooked and drained black beans or kidney beans I used 2 cups
Toppings
- Sour cream
- Sliced avocado
- Cilantro
- Tortilla chips
- Sliced Jalapenos
- Shredded cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Sauté onions with a large pinch of salt for 3 – 5 minutes or until soft and just starting to brown.
- Stir in ground turkey, chili powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and ground paprika. Continue cooking until the turkey is cooked through and browned. Add more olive oil if the pot starts to look dry. Make a hole in the middle of the meat mixture then add in minced garlic, allow to cook for 30 seconds until fragrant then stir everything together.
- Add in a jar of crushed tomatoes, water, chicken broth, bay leaves, einkorn wheat berries and cooked black beans. Stir, then allow the chili to come to a boil. Reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover the pot, then cook the turkey chili for 45 – 55 minutes, or until the einkorn berries are soft and tender.
- Divide turkey chili among bowls, then serve topped with cilantro, sour cream, and shredded cheese.
Notes
How To Store/ Make Ahead
- Storage: Store soup covered in the fridge for 3 – 5 days.
- Freeze: Transfer to freezer-safe containers (I did 1 cup portions) for up to 2 months.
- Reheat over the stove, covered with a splash of chicken broth or water until hot.
Tips and Tricks
- Einkorn: This is an ancient grain similar to farro or barley. Only use ⅓ cup of barley because it tends to swell and soak up too much of the cooking liquid(add more water or chicken broth as needed). Einkorn doesn’t swell up as much as barley so I used ⅔ cup(plus a little bit more) for this recipe.
- Tomatoes: Crushed or diced jarred tomatoes work here. Tomato sauce or add in fresh diced tomatoes. Whatever you like or have on hand.
- Ground turkey: can substitute with 2 cups of cooked, shredded turkey leftover from holidays or ground chicken.
- Spice: Increase the heat by adding more cayenne pepper and diced jalapenos.
- Options and variations: Add canned or frozen sweet corn, cubed sweet potato or butternut squash, red beans, white beans, or omit the beans entirely.
- I used einkorn, and it doesn’t soak up liquid quite as much as barley, so add more chicken broth or water as needed if the barley soaks up too much of the liquid.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a rough estimate. Recipe card may include affiliate links.
