Black Bean Amber Turkey Chili

This healthy turkey chili recipe is made with black beans and Amber Ale then topped with jalapeño cheddar cornbread bites for a tasty weeknight meal on a cold winter evening!

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It goes without saying that's it's cold in Chicago in the winter! That cold weather got me into the habit of prepping a big pot of chili or soup at the beginning of the week to ensure I have nice cozy meals ready for chilly nights.

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. 

This is the perfect recipe to add to your everyday meals recipe collection. Read on to learn more about how to make this Amber Turkey Chili, or jump straight to the recipe to start cooking!

Contents:

• Recipe highlights
• Recipe ingredients
• How to make this recipe 
• Freezing Instructions
• Things you'll want for this recipe
• Serving suggestions
• More chili recipes
• Black Bean Turkey Chili with Amber Ale Recipe

Recipe highlights

This will be your new favorite chili recipe because it’s…

• Rich & flavorful. Instead of using wine as part of the base, I decided on a nice Amber Ale for extra flavor. A squeeze of lime juice and a great spice combo round out the flavor profile.
• Ready in about an hour. The prep for this recipe is really quick, and unlike some chilis that need to simmer for hours, this one can be served after simmering for just about an hour.
• Great for meal prep. This chili can easily be frozen for later.

Recipe ingredients

The full list of full 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 typcially use canned beans, especially when making chili.
• Amber ale: Choose your favorite version, as long as it's a darker been 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 

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.

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.  

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.

What toppings are best on this chili? I love to vary the toppings on chili depending on my mood so you can add or substitute your favorite toppings. Great choices for this recipe are crumbled cornbread muffins, greek yogurt, green onions and shredded cheddar cheese.

Freezing Instructions

Yes, once the chili has cooled place it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Things you'll want for this recipe

Bob's Redmill Cornbread Mix – I really like this mix as it's very versatile and I think it makes the best tasting cornbread and corn muffins you can get from a mix. It used to be available at Whole Foods but I've not seen it lately so you may have to order it online.

Handheld Juicer – I love these juicers – you’ll see me mention them often in blog posts.  They come in three sizes – lime, lemon, and orange 

Serving suggestions

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

This chili also makes a great centerpiece for a game day party menu. I'd 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.

Check out all of my Soup & Chili Recipes!

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This post was originally published in November 2014. It was updated in September 2017 with new photos and in March 2022 with some new information. No changes were made to the original recipe.