Give this Copycat Panera Turkey Chili recipe a whirl for a delicious and easy dinner! Flavorful ground turkey, warm spices, and hearty beans come together in this savory dish, perfect for curing those winter woes. Top with crushed crackers, shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream for the perfect finish!
In this Article:
There's nothing better than a nice, hot bowl of chili on a cold night. But I have to be honest and say I enjoy making chili year round as well. It's just so hearty and comforting - what's not to love?
Pair it up with a slice of Mexican Corn Bread, or even some Cornbread Muffins for a filling meal that's super easy to toss together on a busy weeknight.
This Copycat Panera Turkey Chili is:
- Hearty and packed with flavor.
- Perfect for feeding a crowd.
- Loaded with protein from turkey and beans.
- An easy, family friendly dinner.
- Ready in under an hour.
And if you love this chili, be sure to check out the rest of my copycat Panera recipes too!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ground turkey. Keeps the chili lighter than a beef version while still holding its own against the spices. Ground chicken works as a straight swap, or use lean ground beef or pork if that’s what you have on hand — just drain off any extra grease after browning.
- White onion, carrot, and celery. This trio builds the flavor base of the chili. Yellow onion works fine in place of white, and you can swap in whatever fresh carrots and celery you have without changing the results.
- Chicken broth. Adds depth and helps thin the chili to your preferred consistency. Low-sodium broth is a good swap if you’re watching salt, and vegetable broth will work in a pinch too.
- Tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. Together these form the rich, thick tomato base the chili is known for. If you’re out of paste, simmer the chili a little longer to concentrate the flavor instead.
- Chili powder and cumin. The backbone of the chili’s warm, savory flavor. A pinch of smoked paprika is a nice addition if you want a smokier edge.
- Navy, kidney, and lima beans. This three-bean mix is what gives the chili its signature Panera-style texture. Swap in black beans or pinto beans if that’s what’s in your pantry — just be sure to drain and rinse canned beans first.
- Italian seasoning. Rounds out the spice blend with herbal notes. No blend on hand? A mix of equal parts dried oregano and basil makes a fine substitute.
- Butter. Used to sauté the vegetables at the start. Olive oil is an easy one-to-one swap if you’d rather skip the butter.
How to Make Copycat Panera Turkey Chili
- Melt half the butter in a dutch oven. Saute the celery and carrots. Add the rest of the butter, garlic, and onions. Sauté another couple minutes.
- Add the turkey to the dutch oven. Cook until no longer pink.
- Add the rest of the ingredients. Simmer for 35 minutes.
- Place in bowls, top with desired toppings, and enjoy!
For full directions with measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card.
Tips and Variations
Storage - Store in the fridge, in a sealed container, for up to 4 days. Store in an airtight container, in the freezer, for up to 3 months.
Reheating - Reheat using the microwave, stove, or even the slow cooker.
Use other meat - If you don't prefer ground turkey, you can deviate from the original recipe and use ground meat, pork, etc. This will slightly change the taste and nutrient info, so keep that in mind. If changing the meat, you may also have to cook the meat separately in order to drain the excess grease.
Nix the beans - If you don't like beans, you can get rid of them, reduce the broth, and add a bit more meat and tomato paste to thicken it up.
Use other beans - Chili is pretty forgiving on the types of beans you use. Choose your favorite bean and toss it in there.
Make it spicy - You can add some crushed red pepper or diced hot peppers such as jalapenos, habaneros, etc. for an added kick!
Add more seasonings - If you like a richer chili, you can use fresh herbs in place of the dry options. You can also double or triple the chili powder. Always taste the chili before serving so you can adjust the spices to your preferences.
Serving Ideas
This chili is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but a few sides make it even better. A slice of buttered Mexican Corn Bread or a warm cornbread muffin is the classic pairing for soaking up every bit of the broth. For the full copycat Panera experience, serve smaller bowls of this chili alongside a batch of Copycat Panera Tomato Soup for a soup-and-chili spread everyone can mix and match.
Set out toppings so everyone can customize their own bowl — think shredded cheddar, a dollop of sour cream, sliced green onions, crushed tortilla chips, or diced avocado. A simple green salad on the side rounds out the meal if you want something lighter to balance out the richness of the chili.
Storing & Freezing
Let any leftover chili cool to room temperature before storing, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. It actually tastes even better the next day, once the spices have had more time to meld together, so leftovers are worth planning for.
To freeze, portion the cooled chili into freezer-safe bags or airtight containers, leaving a little room at the top for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label each container with the date so you know what you’re working with later. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of broth if it’s thickened up in the freezer. The microwave or a slow cooker on low also work well for reheating smaller or larger batches.
FAQs
Is Panera Bread Turkey Chili Good?
Yes! I think it's absolutely delicious and many other people would agree. But of course, this is really a matter of personal preference.
So, if you love traditional bean chili and like turkey too - give it a try!
Is Panera Turkey Chili Healthy?
The chili you might buy from Panera isn't as healthy as you would hope. Just like with most restaurant food, the sodium and calorie content can be pretty high. But if you make this copycat chili recipe at home, it's a very healthy option!
Having more control over what goes into your food always makes a huge difference when it comes to healthy eating. To nix more sodium, you can skip any canned items (like the beans) and make those ingredients from scratch before using them.
More Recipes You Might Like
Be sure to check out all my favorite copycat Panera recipes here, plus these other delicious copycat restaurant recipes:
- Copycat Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles Recipe
- Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Browns
- Copycat Popeyes Red Beans And Rice
- Red Lobster Copycat Cheddar Biscuits
Recipe
Copycat Panera Turkey Chili
Equipment
- Dutch Oven or other large, heavy pot
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Turkey
- 1 White Onion diced, medium
- 1 ½ Cups Chicken Broth
- 6 Ounces Tomato Paste
- ½ Cup Carrot diced
- ½ Cup Celery diced
- ¼ Cup Chili Powder
- 15 oz Navy Beans canned, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz Kidney Beans canned, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz Lima Beans canned, or edamame
- 15 oz Crushed Tomatoes canned
- 2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon Cumin
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, place half of the butter, the diced carrots, and the diced celery. Saute for about 3-5 minutes or until slightly softened.
- Add the rest of the butter, along with the onions and garlic. Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add the ground turkey along with a dash of salt and pepper. Cook until the turkey is no longer pink.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (be sure to drain and rinse the cans of beans) and simmer for about 35 minutes, adding more broth as needed, based on the consistency you prefer.
- Taste and adjust seasonings. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition details are an estimate, per serving.
Diane Jaqua says
Can you make in the slowcooker,if so how long pleaseif so do I need to add any ingredients otherthan what is listed?