Easy Turkey Chili

Victoria
Jul 13
2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Hearty, Cozy, and Full of Flavor — One-Pot Turkey Chili in 30 Minutes!

Servings: 2

Total Cost: ~$4.50 (or about $2.25 per serving)

Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients (Walmart Store Brands):

½ lb Festive Ground Turkey (~$1.90)
2 Jeannie-O Turkey Hot Dogs, sliced (~$0.50)
½ can Great Value No Salt Dark Red Kidney Beans (~$0.45)
½ cup Great Value Marinara Sauce (~$0.40)
½ can Great Value Diced Tomatoes (~$0.35)
4 tbsp Chili Powder (~$0.20)
2 tbsp Garlic Powder (~$0.10)
Salt & pepper to taste
(Optional) Shredded Cheddar Cheese (~$0.50)
(Optional) Sour Cream (~$0.25)
(Optional) Chopped Green Onion or Chives (~$0.15)

Bowl of chili topped with cheddar, green onions, and sour cream on a striped tablecloth. Warm, appetizing presentation.

Instructions:

Cook the Turkey: In a medium pot over medium heat, brown the ground turkey until fully cooked (about 5–7 minutes for thawed meat). Drain excess grease/ fat.

Add Hot Dogs: Slice hot dogs into 8 pieces. Stir in sliced turkey hot dogs and cook for 2 more minutes.

Build the Base: Add diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, and kidney beans. Stir well to combine. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder.

Simmer: Cover and simmer on low for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and the chili thickens slightly.

Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with optional cheddar, sour cream, or green onion.

Budget Tips:

Crockpot friendly meal that can be made in bulk — just double the ingredients!
Use turkey hot dogs sparingly—they add smoky flavor for less cost than bacon or sausage but also contain a lot of sodium.
To cut acidity, add 1/2c of half and half or milk into the sauce while simmering and add 2 minutes.
Leftovers freeze well for up to 2 months.

Budget Breakdown (approximate):

Ingredient	Cost
Ground Turkey (½ lb)	$1.90
Turkey Hot Dogs (2)	$0.50
Kidney Beans (½ can)	$0.45
Marinara Sauce (½ cup)	$0.40
Diced Tomatoes (½ can)	$0.35
Spices (chili + garlic)	$0.30
Total (without toppings)	~$3.90
Optional toppings	+$0.60