Turn That Leftover Turkey into Hearty Chili: A Post-Thanksgiving Delight

After the Thanksgiving feast, you might find yourself with a refrigerator full of delicious leftovers. Instead of the usual turkey sandwiches, why not transform your leftover turkey into a hearty and flavorful chili? This Turkey Chili is a perfect way to give new life to your Thanksgiving turkey, creating a warm and comforting dish that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor. It’s a great way to use up those extra turkey pieces while enjoying a meal that feels entirely new.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper (red, green, or yellow), diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups leftover cooked turkey, shredded or chopped
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 cup turkey or chicken broth (you can use leftover gravy thinned with water)
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (optional, for a touch of acidity)
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• Shredded cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat the Olive Oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, sautéing until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
3. Add Turkey and Other Ingredients: Add the shredded leftover turkey to the pot, along with the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, turkey or chicken broth, black beans, and kidney beans. Stir to combine.
4. Simmer the Chili: Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally.
5. Finish and Serve: Stir in the lime juice, if using, and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the chili hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips if desired.

Yield:

This recipe yields about 6 servings.

Serving Size:

One serving is approximately 1 1/2 cups of chili.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving):

• Calories: 270
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Dietary Fiber: 9g
• Sugars: 3g
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 50mg
• Sodium: 580mg

This Turkey Chili is a fantastic way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers while creating a completely new dish that your family will love. It’s a cozy, comforting meal that’s perfect for those chilly post-holiday nights, and it’s so easy to make. Whether you’re serving it as a quick weeknight dinner or freezing it for later, this chili is sure to become a post-Thanksgiving favorite.