Black Bean Turkey Chili with Amber Ale

On most winter weekends, you'll find a pot of chili simmering on my stovetop! Colder winter weather gets me in the habit of prepping a pot of chili or soup at the beginning of the week to ensure I have nice cozy meals ready for chilly nights.

This small-scale recipe makes 3 to 4 servings of chili, which is perfect when you are cooking for one or two people. So, if you're craving a thick and hearty turkey chili, especially one that's perfect for a weeknight dinner, this is the recipe for you.

You can serve this chili on its own or pair it with this Chopped Kale Salad or just a simple green salad of arugula topped with pine nuts and lemon vinaigrette.

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This ground turkey chili recipe is made with black beans and Amber Ale then topped with jalapeño cheddar cornbread bites for an added pop of flavor.

I'll often make a double recipe of this chili when I'm entertaining and just let it sit on the stove, or in a crockpot, during the party so guests can help themselves. It always gets rave reviews and is generally the star of the evening. 

Read on to learn more about how to make this recipe or jump straight to the recipe to start cooking!

Contents:

• Recipe highlights
• Key Recipe ingredients
• Recommended Tools
• How to make this recipe 
• Freezing Instructions
• More chili recipes
• Black Bean Turkey Chili with Amber Ale Recipe

Key Recipe ingredients

The full list of ingredients & measurements are provided in the Recipe Card below.

• Ground turkey: I typically use a mixture of turkey breast and turkey thigh, as noted in the recipe card, however, you can use all turkey thigh if you prefer.
• Black beans: I typically use canned beans, especially when making chili.
• Amber ale: Choose your favorite version, as long as it's a darker beer you'll get the right flavor.
• Crushed tomatoes: One 28 ounce can is what you'll need.
• Onion: You want a yellow onion but not a sweet onion.
• Lime zest and juice: Be sure to zest the lime before you juice it!
• Cheddar cheese: Freshly grated is the best option but pre-grated will do in a pinch.
• Greek yogurt: Any type of plain greek yogurt will do. It's an optional topping but helps to balance the spiciness of the chili.
• Spices: chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, dried cilantro, chipotle powder, cracked pepper
• Pantry staples: Olive oil, garlic

How to make this recipe 

1. Saute the onions and garlic. I recommend using a large dutch oven for this recipe. Simply add some oil and saute the onions and garlic until the onions are translucent.
2. Cook the turkey.  You'll add the turkey to the pot and cook until browned and crumbly. Once the turkey is cooked add all the spices and cook until fragrant.  
3. Finish the chili and simmer. Next you'll add the Amber Ale, tomatoes and black beans. Then let the mixture simmer for about an hour. You can let it go longer if you like but it's not necessary.
4. Make the cornbread. This is an optional topping but I highly recommend it. Get it baking while the chili is simmering.
5. Top and serve. Spoon the chili into bowls and crumble up some of these jalapeno cheddar cornbread muffins, add a bit of greek yogurt, some sliced green onions and a handful of shredded cheddar cheese.

This chili makes a great centerpiece for a game-day party menu. I'd like to serve it with some Caramelized Onion Dip and Black Bean Taco Cups.

Or check out the entire Game Day Recipe Index for more ideas!

More chili recipes

• White Chicken Chili. This creamy chicken chili is a cold weather staple! It's a one pot recipe that is easy to make.
• Instant Pot Beef Chili. This traditional beef chili is made in the Instant Pot so it's ideal for busy weekdays.

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This post was originally published in November 2014. It was updated in January 2025 with some new information. No changes were made to the original recipe.