This rich, flavorful leftover turkey chili recipe will make you wish you had leftover turkey more often! Why is Thanksgiving only once a year?!?!

Chopped turkey, kidney beans, red bell pepper and jalapenos simmer in crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce with chili powder and cumin. It all happens in one pot, or you can let the slow cooker do the work.

The Best Easy Turkey Chili with Leftover Turkey

Let’s face it. I think most of us love the holidays, but we all need a holiday to recover from the holidays. This was my first time hosting Thanksgiving at my home and I actually LOVED every single minute. I felt like such a big girl! We moved to Austin, Texas a year ago and decided to stay in our new home for Thanksgiving. My brother and his amazing family live less than an hour away and joined us. With kids of similar ages, it was truly magical. Lots of laughter, great food, late nights and wonderful memories created.

I was also 20 weeks pregnant, and after a week of fun, cooking, baking, cleaning and standing on my feet pretty much 24/7, my poor hips and back felt like they were broken. My fellow moms out there TOTALLY understand that life still continues even when Mom Boss is slightly out of commission. SO my family still needed to eat dinner. This SUPER easy leftover turkey chili recipe was a lifesaver.

Of course I needed to smoke the largest turkey I could find, even though we only had 4 adults and 5 small children. Makes sense, right? Well, shockingly I had lots of leftover turkey (super juicy and tender). You just chop up some turkey, throw the rest of the ingredients into the pot or slow cooker, and BOOM! A delicious dinner with minimal preparation. You deserve an easy recipe after your hard work.

Why You’ll Love This Leftover Turkey Chili

Uses up leftovers. Four cups of chopped turkey turn into a whole new dinner.
Big, bold flavor. Chili powder, cumin, jalapenos and garlic make it rich and warming.
Ready in about 30 minutes. A quick simmer on the stove is all it needs.
Slow cooker friendly. Or toss it all in the slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here is what goes into this simple leftover turkey chili and why each one is there. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

Olive oil: Just enough to soften the onion and garlic and start building flavor.
Red onion: Diced. Red onion turns sweet and mellow as it cooks. A yellow or sweet onion works too.
Minced garlic: Adds savory depth to the tomato base.
Crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce: A big can of crushed tomatoes gives the chili body and texture, and the tomato sauce makes it thick and saucy.
Jalapenos: Two, washed, seeded and finely chopped. Removing the seeds keeps the heat friendly for kids. Leave a few seeds in if you like it spicy, and wash your hands well after chopping.
Red bell pepper: Seeded and diced. Adds sweetness, color and a little texture.
Chili powder and ground cumin: The warm, earthy spices that make it taste like chili. Fresh spices make a big difference, so replace jars that have lost their aroma.
Salt and black pepper: To season the tomatoes. Leftover turkey may already be seasoned or brined, so taste before adding more salt.
Kidney beans: Drained and rinsed. Rinsing removes the starchy canning liquid so the chili tastes clean. Black beans or pinto beans are easy swaps.
Leftover turkey: Cut into 1 inch pieces. White meat, dark meat or a mix all work. Smoked turkey adds a wonderful smoky flavor, and roasted turkey is great too. Use turkey that has been refrigerated and is within 3 to 4 days of cooking.

How to Make Leftover Turkey Chili

Soften the onion and garlic. In a large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil for one minute. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the onion is translucent and the kitchen smells amazing.
Build the chili base. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, jalapenos, bell pepper and all of the spices. Stir well and bring the pot to a boil.
Simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring now and then. The sauce will thicken, darken slightly and the peppers will turn tender.
Add the beans and turkey. Stir in the kidney beans and turkey and simmer for an additional 10 minutes, until the turkey is heated through to 165°F and has soaked up the flavor of the sauce.
Taste and adjust. Give it a taste and add more seasoning if needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Slow cooker option: Combine all of the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. It will be delicious all the same!

Kami’s tip: Want more spice? Mix 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Slowly add a small portion of the mix, stir and taste, and keep adding until it reaches the flavor you want.

Ways to Customize Turkey Chili

Switch the beans. Use black beans, pinto beans or a mix of two cans for a heartier pot.
Add more vegetables. Stir in corn, diced zucchini or a chopped green bell pepper with the red pepper.
Use other leftovers. Leftover chicken or ham works in place of the turkey.
Make it smoky. A pinch of smoked paprika or a chopped chipotle pepper adds smoky heat, especially if your turkey was roasted instead of smoked.

Leftover Turkey Chili FAQs

Can I make this in a slow cooker? Yes. Combine all of the ingredients and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Can I use ground turkey instead? Yes. Brown raw ground turkey with the onion and garlic until it reaches 165°F and is no longer pink, then continue with the recipe.
How long is leftover turkey good for? Cooked turkey keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Make the chili within that window, or freeze the turkey to use later.
Is this chili spicy? It has a mild to medium kick. Remove all of the jalapeno seeds for less heat, or use the extra spice mix in the tip above for more.
What toppings go with turkey chili? Shredded cheese, a spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt, chopped green onions, avocado or a handful of crushed tortilla chips.
What should I serve with it? Warm Honey Cornbread Muffins or Cheddar Cheese Biscuits are perfect for dunking.
How do I store leftover chili? Cool it and refrigerate within 2 hours. Since the turkey was already a leftover, eat the chili within 3 to 4 days and reheat until it is steaming hot, 165°F.
Can I freeze turkey chili? Yes. Freeze it in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat to 165°F.

I look forward to hearing your feedback! Kick your feet up, make this chili and enjoy the holiday season. It’s officially countdown until Christmas time!

Simple Leftover Turkey Chili

Simple leftover turkey chili with kidney beans, red bell pepper, jalapenos and a rich crushed tomato base seasoned with chili powder and cumin. Make it on the stove or in the slow cooker.

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Ingredients

2 Tablespoon olive oil
1 red onion diced
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1 (28 ounces) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce
2 jalapeños washed seeds removed, and finely chopped
1 red bell pepper seeds removed and diced
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 (15 ounces) can kidney beans drained and rinsed
4 cups leftover turkey cut into 1 inch pieces

Instructions

In a large pot over medium heat, heat olive oil for one minute. Add onion and garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until onion is translucent.
Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, jalapeños, bell peppers, and all spices to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
Add kidney beans and turkey. Simmer for additional 10 minutes.

Notes

For additional seasoning, combine 1 Tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Slowly add a small portion of the spice combination. Stir, taste, and add more spice until reaching desired flavor. Also, you do have the option of combining all ingredients in a slow cooker and cooking on low for 6 to 8 hours. It will be delicious all the same!

Made this chili? Leave a star rating in the recipe card and tell me how it turned out in the comments below. Your feedback helps other cooks, and I love hearing how you use your leftovers.