Chili is a great choice for a healthy meal that can easily be adapted to suit any taste! Packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like lean protein from beans or lean meat, chili offers a good source of essential amino acids for muscle health. Additionally, vegetables like tomatoes and peppers provide a wealth of vitamins and antioxidants that support overall well-being. Like to heat things up? The spicy nature of chili peppers can boost metabolism and may have anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to a healthy digestive system and potentially aiding in weight management.

Try the recipes below and enjoy a few twists on this classic comfort food – Tasty Turkey Chili, Hearty Beef, or the vegetarian option, Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili.

Tasty Turkey Chili

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup chopped green pepper
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 jar (24 ounces) meatless pasta sauce
• 1 can (16 ounces) hot chili beans, undrained
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup frozen corn
• 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained

Don’t forget the toppings! Add some Sour cream, avocado, shredded cheese, or anything you like!

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook and crumble turkey with celery, onion and green pepper over medium-high heat until turkey is no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Stir in seasonings, tomatoes, pasta sauce, chili beans, water and corn.
2. Cook, covered, on high 1 hour. Reduce setting to low; cook, covered, 5-6 hours or until flavors are blended.
3. Stir in kidney and pinto beans; cook, covered, on low 30 minutes longer. If desired, serve with sour cream, avocado and jalapeno.

Recipe adapted from tasteofhome.com.

Hearty Beef Chili

Ingredients

• 2 pounds 96% ground beef
• 1 quart tomato juice (29-ounce)
• 1 can tomato purée (15-ounce)
• 1 can red kidney beans drained (15-ounce)
• 1 can pinto beans drained (15-ounce)
• 1 medium-large onion chopped
• 3/4 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
• 3 tablespoon chili powder use 1/4 cup to make it spicy
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef.
2. Drain off the fat (if any).
3. While the beef is cooking, turn the crockpot to low to begin warming it up and start adding the remaining ingredients.
4. See note at muydelish.com for cooking it on stovetop.
5. Cover the slow-cooker with lid and let the chili simmer for 4 hours on low.

Recipe adapted from muydelish.com.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium-large sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 4 teaspoons ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground chipotle chile
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 ½ cups water
• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed
• 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 4 teaspoons lime juice
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sweet potato and onion and cook, stirring often, until the onion is beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, chipotle and salt and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Add water and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the sweet potato is tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
2. Add beans, tomatoes and lime juice; increase heat to high and return to a simmer, stirring often. Reduce heat and simmer until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro.

Recipe adapted from eatingwell.com.

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