Hearty Sausage & Turkey Chili
A rich, bold chili with tender beef or turkey, Italian sausage, two types of beans, and the deep flavour of light beer — perfect for cozy dinners or game day.
Prep time
15 min
Cook time
40 min
Serves
Ingredients
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Protein & Meat
- 1 lbground beef or ground turkey
- 4 linksItalian sausage (hot or mild), sliced in half and diced
- 1 tbspolive oil (for pan-frying sausage)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 mediumonion, diced
- 3 clovesgarlic, minced
- 1green bell pepper, diced
- 1red bell pepper, diced
Canned Goods & Liquids
- 1 can (12 oz)light beer
- 1 can (14 oz)black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14 oz)red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cans (14 oz each)diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz)tomato paste
- ½ cupbeef or chicken broth
Seasonings
- 2 tbspchili powder
- 1 tspcumin
- 1 tspsmoked paprika
- ½ tspcayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 tspsalt
- ½ tspblack pepper
Ingredients
Protein & Meat
- 1 lbground beef or ground turkey
- 4 linksItalian sausage (hot or mild), sliced in half and diced
- 1 tbspolive oil (for pan-frying sausage)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 mediumonion, diced
- 3 clovesgarlic, minced
- 1green bell pepper, diced
- 1red bell pepper, diced
Canned Goods & Liquids
- 1 can (12 oz)light beer
- 1 can (14 oz)black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14 oz)red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cans (14 oz each)diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz)tomato paste
- ½ cupbeef or chicken broth
Seasonings
- 2 tbspchili powder
- 1 tspcumin
- 1 tspsmoked paprika
- ½ tspcayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 tspsalt
- ½ tspblack pepper
Instructions
Build the Chili
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Slice Italian sausage in half lengthwise, then dice into small pieces. Pan-fry lightly until just browned. Set aside.
- 2
In a large pot or Instant Pot on sauté mode, brown ground beef or turkey until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
- 3
Add onions, garlic, and bell peppers to the pot. Sauté 3–4 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- 4
Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, black beans, red kidney beans, and lightly fried sausage. Pour in beer and broth. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well.
Simmer & Serve
- 1
Stovetop: Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 2
Instant Pot: Seal and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Allow natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release.
- 3
Slow Cooker: Transfer everything to the slow cooker after browning the meats and sautéing the vegetables. Cook on Low for 6–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours.
- 4
Ladle into bowls and garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, cilantro, or sliced jalapeños if you like that extra kick of heat.
Melissa's Notes
For deeper flavour, simmer an extra 10–15 minutes on the stovetop. Adjust beer quantity slightly if you prefer a thicker chili. Mix mild and hot Italian sausages for a layered heat profile. Slow cooker tip: brown the sausage and ground meat in a skillet first before adding to the slow cooker — it makes a big difference in flavour.
Nutrition Information
Per serving (1 cup) — based on 8 servings
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on the ingredients and brands used.
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