This Healthy Instant Pot Turkey and Lentil Chili Recipe is the perfect meal for any night of the week! The turkey keeps the calories low and the extra boost of lentils in the chili helps keeps you feeling full.
Healthy Instant Pot Turkey and Lentil Chili
I’ve really been loving lentils lately – I added it to my Instant Pot Lasagna Soup and have been testing them out in meatballs. Lentils are a great source of fibre, protein, minerals, and vitamins while being low in calories. I’m a huge fan of chili because once it gets cold out (like this lovely snow storm that’s happening outside as I type this), my body starts craving soups and chilis.
I love comfort food and this falls squarely into that theme but I wanted something a little healthier than traditional chili so I tossed some lentils in and subbed out beef for ground turkey.
As well as making it healthier, I also wanted it to be made quickly compared to simmering it on the stovetop or the slowcooker. That’s mostly the reason why I love my Instant Pot so much, whenever I’m craving these long simmering recipes, I can just pop it into the pressure cooker and it’ll be done within the hour but have the flavour profile of a long simmer!
Note: this post has been updated in December 2018 to include more information.
What You Need For The Instant Pot Turkey and Lentil Chili
I had taken a photo of the ingredients but in a rush to clear up space on my SD card while filming the recipe… I had deleted it. Oops. This Instant Pot Turkey and Lentil Chili Recipe is pretty simple. After browning the ground turkey, you just add everything else in and give it a mix before letting the pressure cooker do its thing!
- turkey
- onion
- garlic paste
- tomato paste
- salt
- pepper
- tomato passata
- diced tomatoes
- dry green lentils
- chicken stock
- spices
- black beans
- green chiles
- water
So What’s An Instant Pot?
I have the Duo Plus 9 in 1 Instant Pot. The Duo Plus replaces 9 commonly used kitchen appliances – Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice/Porridge Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Cake/Egg Maker, Sauté/Searing, Steam, Warm and Sterilize. It’s quite the multi-use product!
Plus, because this is using the Instant Pot, it falls under the #OnePotRecipe category too! Minimal dishes! Win-Win-Win!
Tips for Making the Perfect Instant Pot Turkey and Lentil Chili
- I use a garlic paste to keep the prep time lower
- Instead of water at the end, you can use more stock to amp up the flavour in this turkey and lentil chili
- Portion them in small freezable containers so you can freeze them and set aside. Then you can grab and go by the container when needed
- Be sure to brown your meat! This makes sure your chili is flavourful as chili is not meant to be made with raw meat!
- Properly stored in an air tight container, the chili should last in your fridge for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Meal Prep Tips – How To Freeze Chili
The best way to freeze chili is by quick cooling. This method minimizes the time the food spends in the temperature “danger zone” before freezing.
First, portion out the chili into individual portions (or in the size you’ll be serving in, ie 2 or 4) and then place the chili in a sink of ice water to quick cool it.
Once the temperature has reached 40F/4C, it is ready to be frozen in the freezer.
Chili can last frozen in the freezer for up to 4 months.
To re-heat the chili, thaw the chili in the fridge overnight and reheat it to a rolling boil.
How to Make This Healthy Instant Pot Turkey and Lentil Chili
How to Make This Healthy Turkey Chili in the Slow Cooker
Healthy Instant Pot Turkey and Lentil Chili
Ingredients
- 1 lb turkey
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tbsp garlic paste, or regular diced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup dry green lentils
- 1 cup tomato passata
- 398 mL diced tomatoes (14 fl oz)
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 540 ml black beans, drained and rinsed
- 127 ml green chiles, with the liquid
- 1 cup water
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- In your Instant Pot, turn on the sauté mode and brown your ground turkey. Then add in the diced onions, garlic paste, tomato paste, and salt. Cook until everything is fully browned and the onions have softened.
- Add in the lentils, chicken stock, tomato passate, diced tomatoes, the spices, black beans, green chiles, and water.
- Cover the Instant Pot, turn the valve to sealing, and turn it to manual and set the timer to 15 minutes.
- Quick release once done and serve. Optional: top with sour cream.
Stove Top Instructions
- In your dutch oven, brown your ground turkey. Then add in the diced onions, garlic paste, tomato paste, and salt. Cook until everything is fully browned and the onions have softened.
- Add in the lentils, chicken stock, tomato passate, diced tomatoes, the spices, black beans, green chiles, and water.
- Bring the mixture up to a boil and then lower the heat and let the chili simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- In a skillet, brown your ground turkey and onion with a pinch of salt.
- In your slow cooker, add in the ground turkey and onion once they're done along with garlic paste, tomato paste, lentils, chicken stock, tomato passate, diced tomatoes, the spices, black beans, green chiles, and water.
- Set the slow cooker on low for 6 hours or high for 4.
Nutrition Per Serving
Want to try another Instant Pot recipes? Check these recipes out
- Healthier Instant Pot Butter Chicken
- Healthy Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
- Easy Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Spicy Chicken and Rice, Inspired by Chipotle
- Instant Pot Korean Inspired Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup
- Instant Pot Coconut Thai Curry Chicken Meal Prep
Other places to connect with me
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Vlogs/Recipe Videos: Youtube
Tina says
It’s not often you get recipes that look and taste amazing and are healthy too. This one is all of those. Love the lower cholesterol and high fiber, saving this! Thanks for such a great recipe.
Brittany says
You have totally convinced me that I must add lentils to the next pot of chili I make. Will definitely be using my Instant Pot for this soon. Looks amazing!
Kelli Kerkman says
Comfort food that is also healthy? Sign. me. up!
Marisa Moore says
This is so comforting and satisfying with the lentils and turkey! Great way to put the IP to work on a Sunday!
Jill says
Pinned to my Crock Pot and Instant Pot Recipes board. Great recipe and photos!
Sues says
I love lentils, too, but don’t eat them nearly enough. This is such a great way to incorporate them into meals… Plus, I love any excuse to use my Instant Pot!
Tara says
I love how you included all the different ways to prepare this chili. Sounds so comforting with the cooler weather!
Lisa says
I just got my instant pot and have made a stew, pulled chicken (for tacos) steel cut oats and braised chicken thighs so far… This is next up! We love turkey and lentils — but I’ve never thought to use lentils in a chili before. Silly me — this looks to die for!
Becky says
This is by far my favorite chili EVER! It is everything that you need in a chili. This freezes so well and makes for a perfect lunch on a cold Canadian winter day. This is going to be a staple recipe for my household. Thank you again!!! <3
Carmy says
Thanks Becky! This comment just made my day. So glad you liked it :)