In case you can’t tell based on my Instagram and common blog post topics, I am not a good cook…or even a cook. Instead of meal prepping and spending time in the kitchen I tend to go for grab and go options and am a master of the smoothie.

However, even I can’t get away from the delicious #foodporn all over social media. One of my besties, Kara, is a master in the kitchen—and actually knows how to use all of her wedding registry gifts unlike me who uses them as decoration. She recently posted a turkey chili recipe that looked so divine that I begged her to share.

My husband is a total chili lover and there’s nothing better than something warm on a cold winter day (and yes, it is now officially winter in LA too!).

Although this recipe can be made with ground beef, we’ve swapped the beef for organic ground turkey as an easy way to reduce calories and cut down on fat and saturated fat without sacrificing any taste. Bon Appétit!

What You’ll Need:

28 oz can fire roasted tomatoes
1 lb Foster Farms organic ground turkey
1 large yellow onion, diced
can of chipotle chiles in adobo
one large or two small zucchini, chopped 1 inch thick and cut in half
15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz kidney beans, drained and rinsed
3-4 cloves of garlic, smashed and minced
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 Tbsp chili powder
unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)
salt
pepper

In a large pot over medium heat, sauté the diced onion and smashed/minced garlic with olive oil for 2 minutes until fragrant. I add a little salt at this stage – about 1/2 teaspoon.

When the onions and garlic have softened, add the ground turkey to the pot. Toss it around with the onions, breaking it up into smaller pieces. Let that cook through.

While that’s cooking, open up the can of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce. Chop the chipotles into chunks and set aside with some adobo sauce. I like my chili spicy, so I usually add 3-4 chipotles. If you’re looking for a milder chili, go with 1-2. If you find you need more flavor, you can always add in more adobo sauce!

Once the turkey has browned and cooked through, add zucchini, beans, chipotles, adobo sauce, and seasonings to taste. If you really want to boost the flavor, add a pinch of two of unsweetened cocoa powder. Cocoa powder combines really well with smoky chiles like this one. Not required but definitely yummy!

Pour the can of tomatoes over the ingredients, and let simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Top with sliced avocado, a little cheddar cheese, or sour cream/greek yogurt, and enjoy!

Check out more of Kara’s recipes and ideas on her newly launched blog, Everyday Soiree!

Just so you know, Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey is 93% lean and USDA-certified organic, antibiotic free, raised free-range on organic land and is fed an organic vegetarian diet! As with all Foster Farms products, Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey is 100 percent natural with no added hormones, steroids, salt, chemicals or artificial enhancers.

Curious about the benefits of swapping ground beef for ground turkey? See the infographic below!