Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes: Turkey Chili

Thanksgiving recipes are everywhere. In magazines, on TV, online… Don’t you think it’s a little overkill? After all, Thanksgiving is just one meal.

At Cheap Recipe Blog, we’re taking a different approach. A money-saving one, because that’s just how we roll.

Two words: Thanksgiving leftovers.

One of the most bang-for-your-buck tips to save money on food is to make use of leftovers. And what better time to do this than Thanksgving, when your fridge is filled with overwhelming amounts of leftover turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and the such?

First up: Turkey chili. This is my go-to chili recipe. It’s hearty, healthy, spicy, and slightly sweet.

Check back in the next week or so for another fun and creative Thanksgiving leftover recipe. And while you’re here, check out these bona-fide Thanksgiving recipes:

• Cranberry salsa
• My favorite stuffing recipe of all time
• Other Thanksgiving leftover ideas

Turkey Chili Recipe

Yield: 6 servings

As always, feel free to play around with the amounts of spices in this recipe. If you have leftover chili, use it to top baked potatoes, huevos rancheros or chili dogs, or freeze it for future use.

Ingredients:

For soup:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large red onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, finely chopped
1 can chicken broth (or 2 cups of chicken stock or chicken broth made with boullion)
1 large can of crushed tomatoes
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can butter beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup leftover turkey, chopped
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons Tobasco or other hot sauce

Chili toppings:
Chopped green onion
Sour cream
Corn chips
Shredded cheese
Salsa

Directions:

In a large saucepan, saute onions in olive oil until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds or so. Add jalapeno, chicken broth, tomatoes, beans, and turkey. Stir in vinegar, brown sugar, spices, and hot sauce. Simmer over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to come together.
Serve chili with your choice of toppings, listed above.

Beans and lentils / Main course / Recipes / Soup / Tomatoes

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