Snowy Day High Protein Chili (Printable)
Warming chili blending lean meats, beans, and spices for a hearty, nourishing meal.
# List of ingredients:
→ Protein
01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey or lean ground beef
02 - 1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 can (14 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
04 - 1 can (14 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 large onion, diced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
09 - 1 medium carrot, diced
10 - 1 celery stalk, diced
11 - 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
12 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
→ Spices & Seasonings
13 - 2 tbsp chili powder
14 - 1 tsp ground cumin
15 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
16 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
17 - 1 tsp dried oregano
18 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
19 - 1 tsp salt, or to taste
→ Liquids
20 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
→ Optional Toppings
21 - Chopped fresh cilantro
22 - Diced avocado
23 - Shredded low-fat cheese
24 - Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream
# Steps:
01 - Heat a small amount of oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, garlic, carrot, celery, and bell peppers. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
02 - Add the ground turkey or beef to the pot. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned and thoroughly cooked.
03 - Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and black pepper over the meat and vegetables. Stir and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
04 - Mix in the tomato paste followed by the crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine evenly.
05 - Add all drained beans and broth to the pot. Stir well to integrate all ingredients.
06 - Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Taste the chili and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, avocado, cheese, or Greek yogurt as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in an hour but tastes like you've been tending the pot all day.
- Packed with 36 grams of protein per serving, so you stay satisfied for hours afterward.
- The spice blend creates depth and warmth without relying on a single dominant flavor.
02 -
- Don't skip blooming the spices—that 1 minute of cooking them in fat is what transforms them from flat dried powder into something alive and layered.
- Drain and rinse your canned beans thoroughly; it removes the starch and prevents the chili from becoming gummy.
- This chili actually improves overnight in the refrigerator as the spices continue to develop, so leftovers are genuinely better than the first serving.
03 -
- If your chili ever tastes flat, a pinch of acid—a squeeze of lime or a dash of hot sauce—wakes everything up instantly.
- Toast your chili powder in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding it if you have time; it deepens the flavor from the very first bite.