Smoked Turkey Chili with Serrano Peppers

5 from 2 votes
Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read more at our disclosure policy.

Sharing is caring!

This turkey chili is a whole new level of awesomeness. Add a kiss of smoke flavor by smoking the ground turkey, add the bright and slight heat from serrano peppers and impress everyone with this indulgent Smoked Turkey Chili.

A bowl of chili
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

It’s no secret that turkey can be a bit bland. And when Sean and I first started dating, we used to make turkey chili this a lot. I mean, a lot. But while we browned the turkey in a pan, it still didn’t have that wow factor we were looking for. Flash forward to today, and we found that adding smoke and a fun rub to turkey, plus enhancing the chili with pepper gives an awesome flavor profile with slight heat, and savory flavors. Everyone loves this (even the hard core beef fanatics!).

But first….

What is Chili Technically?

Chili is simply a sauced dish that contains dried or fresh chili, typically a meat, and in some cases beans. Yes, beans. When we share our leftover brisket chili, a lot of people on the internet freak out because we use beans. Well, we don’t claim to make a Texas chili, as many in Texas will say a real chili does not contain beans. But in fact, chili by strict definition may. It’s about how you like the dish. We like beans. So sue us 😉

Is it Chili or Chile?

Depending on where you are will define chili versus chile. It often is about describing an actual chile or chili pepper. For our chili dish we end with the “i”.

What Type of Turkey is Best for Smoked Turkey Chili?

For best results we use turkey that has a higher fat content. Similar to 80/20 beef, ground turkey will come in various fat to lean ratios. If the turkey is too lean (like 97/3 or 99/1) it will dry out on the smoker. So the tip here is buy the ground turkey with more fat.

Pro Tip: You can ask for ground white versus dark meat at the counter. Simply order 1/3 pound dark and 2/3 pound white meat for your own mix.

How to Smoke Ground Turkey for Turkey Chili

Start at a low heat. We smoke our turkey at 225 degrees Fahrenheit and we like to use a fruit wood. If you want to go for a heavier smoke, use hickory or mesquite.

It will take up to an hour to smoke the ground turkey. We use an instant read thermometer and remove the turkey when it is 160 degrees F.

How to Make Smoked Turkey Chili

While the turkey is smoking (when it is about halfway done), we start making the sauce base. Then as the turkey comes to temperature, we add it into the sauce and finish with the simmer. Or better yet, smoke the turkey a day ahead, and then add to the sauce.

Would you like to save this?

We'll email this to you AND teach you how to smoke the perfect turkey.

  • Saute the vegetables so they soften, but don’t caramelize.
  • Add the spices before you add liquids. This adds a little toast to the flavor.
  • Add the liquids, beans, and smoked turkey, and bring to a simmer.

One secret ingredient we love for chili is beer. Adding beer gives a nice flavor base that stock or just tomato sauce does not get. We also use canned tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. If it is tomato season feel free to use fresh.

For beans, we love white kidney or cannelleni beans. The beans add a nice texture to the dish.

To get the texture of thick sauce, simmer with the ground smoked turkey for at least 20 minutes. This also incorporates the smoke into the sauce itself. If you have the ability, you can continue simmering the dish on the smoker for even more added flavor kick.

A pot of Turkey Chili with a spoon in it

What Toppings Do I Add to Turkey Chili?

The list is endless for what to top your chili with.

  • Jalapeno or diced serrano for heat
  • Cilantro
  • Sour Cream
  • Avocado
  • Cheese – we love sharp cheddar or colby jack
A bowl of Turkey Chili with avocado and sour cream with a spoon in it

Other Recipes With Chili

Check out these other awesome ideas for chili or recipes with chili in them.

A bowl of turkey chili

Chili in bowl with toppings
5 from 2 votes

Smoked Turkey Chili with Serrano Peppers

Smoked ground turkey, serrano pepper, and beer make for a rich and delicious take on turkey chili.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon chicken rub
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups diced red onion (one small onion)
  • 1 cup diced red pepper (one red pepper)
  • 2 serrano peppers, diced, rib and seeds removed
  • 2 garlic cloves, diced
  • 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
  • 1 cup beer
  • 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 15 ounce can petite diced tomato
  • 1 15 ounce can white kidney or cannellini beans
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions 

Smoking Ground Turkey

  • Preheat smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit using a fruit wood like apple or cherry.
  • Place ground turkey in crumbles on a sheet pan and toss with seasoning. Place ground turkey on smoker for up to an hour or until the internal temperature of the larger chunks are 160 degrees F.
  • Remove from smoker and discard any fat or liquid in the tray before storing or adding to the chili.

For the Sauce

  • In medium size pot over medium heat add olive oil. Once you see a slight smoke, add onions, bell, and serrano peppers. Stir for 10 minutes or until soft (not browned). Reduce heat if you see browning.
  • Add garlic and stir for additional 1 minute. Add ancho chili and stir for 1 minute.
  • Add beer, stir, and increase heat to bring to a simmer. Add ground turkey, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire, and salt and stir. Bring back to a simmer for 30 minutes uncovered. Stir occasionally.
  • Serve with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Pro Tip: Smoke the ground turkey a day in advance to save some time while cooking the sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 156kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 482mg | Potassium: 409mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1232IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Course: bbq, Comfort Food, Entree
Cuisine: barbecue
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 156
Keyword: smoked turkey chili
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

If you like this recipe we’d truly appreciate it if you would give this recipe a star review! And if you share any of your pics on Instagram use the hashtag #vindulge. We LOVE to see it when you cook our recipes. 


This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link, we may receive a small commission if you purchase through the link. We partner with brands we know and love and use and it helps keep the blog going!


mary cressler headshot

Vindulge

About Mary


I'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, founder of Vindulge, and author of Fire + Wine cookbook. Thanks for stopping by!

You May Also Like:

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.