It’s chili season!
Only one problem. Most chili calls for beef and currently, having a hard time trusting ground beef (recalls, poor imported meats, questionable practices, and the cost) means beef is not on the shopping list for the time being.
But turkey is already a great substitute for a chili—and when you know the hacks to level it up, you may never use beef again. This recipe is a masterclass in using cheap tricks and hacks to bolster flavor, depth, and complexity. We utilize canned ingredients, tomato paste, toasting techniques, and other additions to elevate this chili to a level that will impress even you.
The goal with a recipe like this is to mimic time. Time is one ingredient that will make an average soup taste like liquid gold. A regular stew turned into a meal fit for the gods. The longer you simmer things, the better they tend to taste. The more time you allow things to toast, render, and sauté, the more flavor you pull from it.
But you don’t have to spend 10 hours to get the same effect. Toasting tomato paste, adobo, chipotle peppers, and beef bouillon will add a depth of flavor equivalent to something simmering for half a day.
A great chili doesn't necessarily need expensive ingredients. It needs patience, technique, and a little TLC.
All of which, you are capable of. So get ready to make the best chili you’ve ever made.
Est time: 3-5 hours (20-30 minutes of active labor)
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients:
2 lb ground turkey
1 large onion, grated
1 large carrot, grated
4 cloves garlic, grated
3-4 tbsp tomato paste
1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
1 tbsp adobo sauce
1-2 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp Smoked paprika
1 tsp Mexican oregano
A dash of cinnamon
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 beef bouillon cube
2 cups water
If it's too thick or you like it soupier, add 1/2 cup at a time.
If you long-simmer your chili, you may need to add more in as it goes.
15 oz can crushed tomatoes
15 oz can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
1 can pinto beans, drained + rinsed
1 can kidney beans, drained + rinsed
Salt
Black pepper
Olive Oil
For Garnish:
Greek Yogurt
Sour Cream
Chives, parsley or green onion
Chips
Shredded cheese
From here, you’ll get the full directions, complete with helpful tricks and techniques that turn a simple recipe into a skill you’ll use forever. Subscribe and let’s get to work.
