Turkey Chilli Con Carne
Big Flavour, Small Price Tag
Turkey mince is one of the most underrated ingredients in the supermarket. Lower in fat than beef, cheaper per kilo, and it absorbs smoky spice like nothing else. This chilli is thick, warming, and makes enough for four generous bowls.
YIELD: 4 servings PREP TIME: 10 minutes COOK TIME: 35 minutes TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes DIFFICULTY: Easy COST PER SERVING: £1.45
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
| Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat | Fibre | |----------|---------|---------------|-----|-------| | 385 kcal | 38g | 34g | 10g | 9g |
Ingredients
For the Chilli
| Ingredient | Amount | Cost | |------------|--------|------| | Turkey mince (lean) | 500g | £2.50 | | Onion (large) | 1 | £0.15 | | Garlic cloves | 3 | £0.10 | | Red pepper | 1 | £0.40 | | Tinned chopped tomatoes | 400g | £0.35 | | Kidney beans (tinned, drained) | 400g | £0.40 | | Tomato puree | 2 tbsp | £0.15 | | Beef stock cube | 1 | £0.10 | | Olive oil | 1 tbsp | £0.10 |
For the Spice Mix
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chilli powder (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
To Serve
- 200g long grain rice (dry weight)
- Fresh coriander, roughly chopped
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Low-fat soured cream (optional)
Total: £5.80 | Per serving: £1.45
Equipment Needed
- Large heavy-based saucepan or Dutch oven
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon
- Saucepan for rice
Method
Step 1: Prep Your Vegetables
Finely dice the onion. Deseed and chop the red pepper into 1cm pieces. Mince the garlic. Measure your spices into a small bowl and mix together.
Step 2: Brown the Turkey
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the turkey mince, breaking it up with your wooden spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and no pink remains. Push the mince to one side of the pan.
Step 3: Soften the Vegetables
Add the onion and red pepper to the clear side of the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened, then stir everything together. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 4: Add the Spices
Add the spice mix and tomato puree. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes. The spices should smell aromatic and coat everything evenly. If the pan looks dry, add a splash of water.
Step 5: Build the Sauce
Pour in the chopped tomatoes. Fill the empty tin halfway with water and add that too. Crumble in the stock cube. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
Step 6: Simmer
Add the drained kidney beans. Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid slightly ajar, and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally. The chilli should thicken as it cooks. If it gets too thick, add a splash of water.
Step 7: Season and Serve
Taste and adjust the seasoning. You might need more salt, a pinch of sugar to balance the tomatoes, or extra chilli powder for heat. Serve over rice with fresh coriander, a lime wedge, and a spoonful of soured cream.
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost | |------|------| | Turkey mince 500g | £2.50 | | Vegetables and aromatics | £0.65 | | Tinned tomatoes | £0.35 | | Kidney beans | £0.40 | | Storecupboard spices | £0.40 | | Rice (200g dry) | £0.20 | | Total | £5.80 | | Per serving | £1.45 |
Pro Tips
Brown the mince properly. Don't stir it constantly. Let it sit in the pan so it gets colour. Browning equals flavour.
Smoked paprika is the secret weapon. It gives you that deep, smoky flavour without needing to slow-cook for hours. Don't skip it.
Add a square of dark chocolate. Sounds odd but a 10g square of 70% dark chocolate stirred in during the last 5 minutes adds richness. Traditional Mexican technique.
Cook the day before. Chilli always tastes better the next day once the spices have had time to meld.
Meal Prep Option
This chilli is built for batch cooking. Make a double batch and portion into containers.
- Fridge: Keeps for 4 days in airtight containers.
- Freezer: Freezes brilliantly for up to 3 months. Portion into individual containers for easy weeknight dinners.
- Reheat: Microwave or pan with a splash of water. Stir halfway through.
- Prep tip: Cook the rice fresh each time. Frozen rice goes mushy.
Variations
Beef version: Swap turkey for lean beef mince (5% fat). Add 10 minutes to the simmering time.
Vegetarian: Replace the turkey with 2 tins of mixed beans and add a diced courgette. Use vegetable stock instead.
Hotter: Add a finely chopped scotch bonnet with the onions, or stir in 1 tsp of chipotle paste.
Loaded nachos: Skip the rice. Serve over tortilla chips with grated cheddar, jalapenos, and guacamole.
Common Mistakes
Watery chilli: Usually caused by too much liquid and not enough simmering time. Cook with the lid off for the last 10 minutes to reduce.
Bland flavour: The most common issue. Turkey is lean so it needs bold spicing. Don't be shy with the smoked paprika and cumin. Always taste and adjust before serving.
Mushy kidney beans: Add them after the sauce has come to a simmer, not at the start. They only need to heat through, not cook down.
Dry turkey mince: Overcooking lean mince dries it out. Once browned, the sauce does the rest. Don't cook it on high heat for too long before adding liquid.
Shopping List
□ Turkey mince (500g) □ Onion (1 large) □ Red pepper (1) □ Garlic □ Tinned chopped tomatoes (400g) □ Kidney beans (400g tin) □ Tomato puree □ Beef stock cube □ Smoked paprika □ Ground cumin □ Chilli powder □ Long grain rice □ Fresh coriander □ Lime
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Last updated: April 2026