There’s something magical about walking into Panera on a chilly day and being greeted by the aroma of their famous turkey chili. I discovered this healthier alternative to traditional beef chili during a hectic week when I needed something nutritious and satisfying. After numerous attempts to recreate the perfect balance of vegetables, beans, and warm spices, I’ve perfected this copycat recipe.
This hearty chili proves you don’t need beef to create a deeply satisfying bowl of comfort food. Packed with protein-rich turkey, fiber-filled beans, and colorful vegetables, it’s become my go-to recipe for meal prep and family dinners.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The secret to perfect turkey chili lies in building layers of flavor. Starting with properly browned turkey creates a rich foundation, while the combination of fire-roasted chilies and tomato paste adds depth without overwhelming heat. The mix of beans and vegetables offers a variety of textures that make each spoonful interesting.
Unlike other versions that rely on added sugars, this recipe lets the natural sweetness from vegetables shine through while warm spices create complexity.
Panera Turkey Chili Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- Ground turkey – Provides a lean protein base with a milder flavor than beef
- Olive oil – Prevents sticking and adds subtle richness for cooking
- Yellow onion – Creates an aromatic foundation and natural sweetness when cooked
- Tomato paste – Concentrates tomato flavor and adds depth to the broth
- Red kidney beans – Contributes a hearty texture and plant-based protein
- Chickpeas – Adds nutty flavor and creamy texture contrast
- Whole corn – Provides natural sweetness and satisfying pop of texture
- Fire-roasted green chilies – Delivers mild heat with smoky complexity
- Edamame – Brings bright green color and an additional protein boost
- Carrot – Adds natural sweetness and important vegetable nutrition
- Beef broth – Creates a rich, savory liquid base that enhances all flavors
- Salt – Enhances all other flavors and balances the overall taste
- Freshly ground black pepper – Adds subtle heat and aromatic complexity
- Chili powder – Provides classic chili flavor with mild warmth
- Oregano – Contributes earthy, herbal notes that complement spices
- Garlic powder – Delivers convenient garlic flavor without fresh prep
- Cumin – Adds warm, earthy depth essential to chili character
How to Make Copycat Panera Turkey Chili
To make this chili recipe on the stove top:
- Dice the yellow onion into small pieces.
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Pour the oil into the pot, and when it starts to shimmer, add the turkey.
- Use a wooden spoon to break up the ground turkey and let it cook for a minute or two.
- Add the diced yellow onion to the pot and stir.
- Continue cooking until the turkey is browned. Stir occasionally.
- While waiting for the turkey to brown, empty the cans of kidney beans, chickpeas, and corn into a colander in the sink. Rinse well and leave the colander in the sink to drain.
- Once the turkey browns, add all the other chili ingredients to the pot.
- Increase the heat to high and stir well until the chili comes to a boil
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes. Remove the lid from the pot and continue cooking until the chili has thickened.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator Storage: Store in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Chili flavors improve after resting overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheating Method: Reheat gently over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Add water or broth if the mixture becomes too thick. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir and continue in 30-second increments until heated through.
- Freezing: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months in freezer bags or containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the restaurant version is gluten-free, and so is this recipe. However, be aware that some ingredients may be processed where they can come into contact with non-gluten-free foods.
Eating more vegetables, beans, and legumes is something everyone should do, and this recipe is full f them. However, is chili with ground turkey healthier than chili made with ground beef? That answer is a little more complicated. While ground turkey has less saturated fat than ground beef, it contains more overall fat and calories than beef. So turkey is better for your heart than ground beef, but just about equal if you are concerned about weight loss.
No, when it comes to chilis, this Panera Turkey Chili recipe is on the milder end of the spectrum. Check out the section above on recipe variations if you are longing for something that will tingle your tongue.
Ground turkey typically lasts 1-2 days in the refrigerator, provided it has been stored properly. Here are some general guidelines for storing ground turkey in the fridge:
Store the ground turkey in a sealed container or resealable plastic bag. This will help prevent contamination and keep the meat fresh.
Keep the ground turkey in the coldest part of the refrigerator, usually the bottom shelf or meat drawer. This will help maintain a consistent temperature and prevent bacterial growth.
Use the ground turkey within 1-2 days of purchase or within 2 days of preparation. This is the recommended time frame to ensure the meat stays fresh and safe. If you are unsure whether the meat is still good, you can use your senses to determine its freshness. Look for signs of discoloration, a sour or unpleasant odor, or a slimy texture. If any of these are present, the meat may be spoiled and should be discarded.
If you have ground turkey that you won’t be able to use within the recommended time frame, you can freeze it to extend its shelf life. Ground turkey can be frozen for up to 3-4 months and should be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag.
More Panera Copycat Recipes
Favorite Chili and Stew Recipes
- Chili Cheese Tots
- Chili Colorado
- Chili Verde
- Cincinnati Chili
- Dutch Oven Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Lamb Stew
- Sausage Stew
- Steak N Shake Chili
Check out more of my easy chili, stew, and soup recipes and the best copycat Panera Bread recipes on CopyKat!
Panera Turkey Chili Easy Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
Soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 yellow onion chopped
- 12 ounces canned tomato paste
- 15 ounces canned kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces canned garbanzo beans drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces canned whole corn drained
- 8 ounces canned fire-roasted green chilies 2 cans
- 1/2 cup shelled edamame
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 32 ounces beef broth
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon cumin
For Serving
- sour cream
- tortilla strips
- chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in medium or large stock pot over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and onion and cook for about 10 to 25 minutes or until the turkey browns.
- Add the remaining soup ingredients in the stock pot, mix well, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Serve with sour cream, tortilla strips, and cilantro.
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