Homestyle Turkey Chili
by jenna on April 21, 2010
Earlier I asked on twitter what “intricate and complex” meal I should cook for myself. Should it be my mom’s homemade chili or macaroni and cheese? I don’t know why I’m having such an intense craving for comfort food but you know what they say…..don’t fight the feeling. Oh, I don’t fight it. Not at all.
What I really want though is for my MOM to make one of these meals for me and for me to eat it, in my navy blue sweatpants from freshman year, while watching Oprah on tv and drinking wine.
Is that too much to ask? Unfortunately both my mom and Oprah are 3,000 miles away (I don’t have a television) so I had to make due with what I’ve got: a kitchen the size of a shoebox and a tattered old book of recipes that mom hand wrote for me when I moved out the first time*.
I love my mom so much!
Guess who?
Even as a youngin’, I was overly ambitious.
And loved the ocean, especially when wearing sweet purple jumpsuits.
After nostalgically flipping through the pages, I decided on chili. Chili freezes well, tastes delicious and is really inexpensive to make!
So here we go.
First, chop a gigantic onion as well as a big red bell pepper, eight cloves of garlic (you heard me…eight!) and a jalapeno pepper.
Saute everything in two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium/low heat:
After about five minutes, add a pound of lean ground turkey to the mix. You could also use sirloin but I always prefer turkey chili, myself.
Cook until the meat has browned, about eight minutes. Stir baby stir!
Then, add 2 tbsp chili powder:
One tbsp ground cumin:
Two tbsp brown sugar:
One tsp oregano:
And three tbsp tomato paste.
No need for anything fancy here. Hunts is fine.
Cook for one minute, stirring constantly.
Then, add 1 1/4 cup red wine (I used Zinfandel but Merlot or Cabernet or…whatever you got is fine):
Two large cans crushed tomatoes:
Two normal sized cans of kidney beans, drained and rinsed:
And two bay leaves.
It should smell deeeeelicious.
Give the pot one final stir, bring to a simmer and then cover and cook for one hour, stirring occasionally.
While the chili cooks, you should probably clean the kitchen.
And drink some wine?
After the hour is up, remove cover and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes before serving. I like to serve my chili over noodles with lots of cheddar cheese on top….it’s how my mom always made it for us when we were kids! Also, this chili gets a lot better the longer it sits. Even though I love it on day one, it tastes even better the third time around…you know?
*from the period of 2004-2009 I moved out and back in with my parents numerous times. Don’t judge.
Pin It Tagged as:
Dinner,
kid-friendly,
nostalgic moments,
old favorites,
recipes
{ 137 comments… read them below or add one }
YUM!
It’s nippy here in Chicago today…chili sounds simply delic!
My parents would serve chili over mac n cheese, oh how I miss a homemade meal from my parents too!
I absolutely HEART seeing recipes with serious garlic (eight! Love it!) I sometimes feel lonely in my love of garlic and sigh with sadness whenever I see any recipe that calls for one or two. It always cooks down so nicely.
Sorry. Now done with garlic appreciation. Enjoy your chili and call your adorable mom
No one is judging you, especially me! I have moved between two different schools during Undergrad and ultimately chose to finish out back at home… Not only is it a mega-amazing way to save money for future endeavs or moves but it is pretty great witnessing just how much family means while you are away in the beginning!
Jenna, have you considered removing the ability for people to leave comments on your blog altogether? Not sure if that is even an option but it would be nice. I love your posts!
I just might make that chilli this weekend.. it sounds and looks amazing.
Homemade chili is the best! I had the most amazing recipe for crockpot chili that I CANNOT find! I am so bummed because I want to make it again.
*no judging here*
hehe you are so cute jenna. that chili recipe sounds delicious! i hope you feel better soon, dear. you’ve given a lot to your readers…you deserve some “you” time. things will look up for you, don’t worry! we’re all here for you as always <333
Abbey
Love that your Mom wrote out all those recipes for you, so awesome. The chili looks delicious.
Love that your Mom wrote out all those recipes for you, so awesome. The chili looks delicious.
Awww, what a wonderful gift from mother to daughter. I would love to do that for my child one day when I’m a mama!
I love that your mom made you your own cook book. So much fun to have home recipes when you just want to be home.
8 Cloves! I am in! Thanks for the recipe!
Nothing tastes as good as when mom makes it. But I’m sure you’re version is still delicious.
I have a similar box of recipes my Mom made me. I’d do almost anything to go back in time and have her make them for me again though.
That looks amazing….guess what I want for dinner now? So perfect with this dreary/cold weather we are having too…
Chili is such a great dish! I agree – tastes even better the next day too
I have a Rachael Ray vegetarian chili that I love. Definitely a staple meal at our house during the fall and winter.
AHhh that recipe book just warms my heart.
There is nothing like mom’s cooking.
I’ve been waiting for this post….
Your mom is so sweet to make that book for you!
Oh yum!
I looooove chili. yum yum!
This post is great Jenna! I think I’ll make that chili soon, it looks delish!
Nothing spells comfort like chili! Enjoy!
Those measuring spoons! They came with a kids cookbook, no?? My mom has a set just like them and they’re always the first ones I grab when I’m in her kitchen.
I love your homemade recipe book! It just screams nostalgia
My mom made one for me too, but since she didn’t really cook it doesn’t have much except cookies and brownies haha.
I love chili and almost all Italian more the next day
YOU are SO amazing Jenna and such an inspiration. Please don’t ever forget that. Your blog gives me joy every single day. You are amazing!
Jenna, I do not comment very often (really ever) but I wanted to tell you I really like the subtle shift in tone and style your writing has taken recently. It’s gained more of a distinct voice, especially in comparison to the other food blogs out there!
mmmmmmm garrrlic
I love chili, and I love your blog. And I miss wine country. I lived in Sacramento in my 20′s and visited there often.
8 cloves of garlic, and vino? That’s my kind of chili! That looks seriously delish.
i love this post and this recipe.
but… jennie-o? say it isn’t so!
Mmm it sounds comforting and tasty… good for a dreary day. No judgment on moving back in with parents, I’ll be in that boat in a few months
I LOVEEE homemade chili!! We eat it all the time at home
Mmmm, chili!
Even down in Southern California we are getting plenty of rain and chili sounds like the perfect rainy day meal!
I love chili and I’m STARVING right now…reading this post has been torture, but in a good and tasty way!
Thank you for sharing this hearty and delicious recipe! Oh, and no judgments on living with the parentals. I’m moving back in with my Dad this summer until I find my own place and I’ll be 25 this September. Though, given that he lives an hour from Lake Tahoe in the serene mountains and is my favorite person, I don’t see myself in any huge rush to find a place…
So homey. Love it….and the wine. Too cute. Can’t wait to see the final result!
You don’t have a TV? Wow – you really are a toughie. Do you have furniture though now?? Or do you really still eat on the floor?!
And I was wondering if you have a lot of fancy kitchen appliances? Seems simplistic
I’m getting pizza I don’t care…
I have never thought to add brown sugar to my chili! That looks like a delicious comfy Wednesday meal.
That recipe book is absolutely adorable!! Love the recipe, and chili is one of those dishes that just keeps getting better and better!!
i can’t believe i feel the need to weigh in on this. i actually rarely even read the blog comments on any blog, but with all these defensive posts i finally decided to see what all the fuss was about. i started reading your blog, jenna, this past summer. i was home for three or four days with a horrible bug when i discovered it and i literally read it in its entirety (up to that current point) almost every waking hour during that span of time. i ADORED it and it definitely got me hooked on food blogs in general. since you moved to california, particularly in the last few weeks, i would definitely say the feel of the blog has changed. it seems less about the food, which is fine – but it seems reasonable that your readers would have something to say about it. the negative comments “i am so over this blog” seem completely unnecessary and i think those people need to get over themselves. i didn’t really notice the difference in style until recently, and i still love your blog and i look forward to your posts and reading what you have to say every single day but i think it would be difficult to argue that there isn’t difference between “old” and “new” posts. it does come across, at least to me, as a bit contrived – but you know, maybe you are just feeling happy and silly, and if that is the case – great! but if for some reason you maybe feel the need to come across in some sort of different way, please remember that the reason you have had so much success in your life (re: the blog) is because of how it originally was – that is how you built your reader and fan base and presumably how you gained so much popularity and recognition. we all love it, and i still do! i hope the tone and attitude now are genuine because that is a trait i know we all really love and appreciate about you and your voice as a blogger.
It’s definitely a soup or chili kind of night — cold and rainy outside. There’s something special about when Mom makes food, even if it’s the exact same recipe. Must be the love!
i dont understand the drama….its a blog…your blog….no biggie…u write and do what u want…nice chilli, come and cook for me
i LOVE simple.
i have one fork, one knife, one kettle that i have to plug in.
fancy is nice too…but this is what i have, so i am going to be settled enuf with that.
cookbooks are so much fun.
Sounds delicious. I know how hard it can be being seperated from your family. My family is about 8 hours away from me. I love when I get a chance to visit to experience those delicious “comfort” foods.
Yum…that sounds great! Even if your mom and Oprah are 3000 miles away at least you can still rock out the sweat pants!! Have a wonderful night Jenna!
mmm I love chili! That recipe sounds divine!
Well, if you open a bottle of wine for cooking, of COURSE you have to drink it while you cook!
That chili looks delicious…chili is one of my favorite rainy day foods! It’s so easy to customize. I have an amazing vegetarian chili recipe that uses like 6 cans of beans. It’s ridiculous, but SO good!
How sweet that your mom wrote that book for you! And with the adorable pictures
That’s definitely a keepsake to have forever.
YUM!!! I don’t know what it is about mother’s cooking that is just the bomb. I’ve tried to make some things my mom makes several times but it’s never the same, even if I follow the recipe down to a T.
I thought it was John Mayer who said that- but he simply asks “Who says I can’t get stoned?” a little different, but same principle- no one.
That chili looks like heaven- love kidney beans!
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! It looks FANTASTIC!
It sounds like you’re not letting the silly blog comments bug you–you’ve had enough of them over the years to (hopefully) get used to it! What I love about the more recent posts is that you seem HAPPEEEE. Love it.
Anyway, I wanted to share this quote that I lurve that has helped me deal not only with others’ judgments but also with my own: “Every judgment we make is really a judgment of ourselves.” This helps me have compassion for people who make lots of negative judgments because I understand that it’s coming from a place of unhappiness within themselves and doesn’t have to do with whatever/whomever is being judged.
And also, it’s weird that people feel the need to tell you they don’t like your blog/the new tone/what you eat/what you do/whatever. Who cares? You don’t like it, move on. People who are secure in their own lives and with themselves aren’t going to be so invested in what other people do.
That cook book is the sweetest thing! Especially since she added pictures. Also that chili looks really good even though I don’t eat meat & don’t like beans!
Wow. you dont have a TV??? How do you live like that?
By the way— thanks for the chili recipe. Looks great!!!!
the chili looks fabulous, and i love how you presented the recipe with pictures. i am not a very good cook and i love seeing things done! love everything about your blog jenna. and ps- i moved back home at, um, 32…&*%t happens.
thanks so much for the recipe! your mom must be wonderful – that book is love in solid form.
Yum!! Thanks so much for posting the recipe:)
I am definitely going to write down this recipe-thanks for sharing.
Maybe your next book could be a mother and daughter cookbook/inspirational book?I’d buy it!!
I am definitely going to write down this recipe-thanks for sharing.
Maybe your next book could be a mother and daughter cookbook/inspirational book?I’d buy it!!
I’ve never commented before, but just want to say you are absolutely stunning! I REALLY don’t get how people have the audacity to tell you how to write YOUR blog. Let’s all repeat: YOUR blog. Write however, whenever, about whatever you want!! Obviously you already know this, but just wanted to support you in YOUR blog.
Hope the rain goes away soon! Bring on the sunshine!!
That’s so sweet that your mom made that cookbook for you!
I love the cookbook from your mom, what an awesome gift that I’m sure you’ll treasure forever. Always loved your blog, you seem extra happy lately
I hadn’t thought about the chili over noodles. I usually do whole wheat elbow pasta mixed in sometimes for chili mac.
Chili over mashed potatoes – so good.
Chili over mashed potatoes – so good.
I really hope that wasn’t Liar’s Dice you dumped into that chili!
Hmmm…#32 Ellen: what’s wrong with Jennie-O turkey?? Just curious.
Jenna, thanks for the recipe! I’ve been craving something “down home” and this fits the bill. Oh, and the beauty of having your own blog?? It’s YOUR OWN BLOG. It’s about YOU and YOUR LIFE. That’s why we read it! It’s entertaining, funny, and insightful. ‘Nuff said!
I spy…your Kitchen-Aid! For some reason, I love that last shot of your kitchen. It seems peaceful to me. It looks like a home, well-loved.
I think your posts as of late have been really fun and I’m loving them. Food is fun and so is life.
Awesome tutorial, sometimes comfort foods are exactly what you need!!
xo
K
awww! My mom made me a recipe book just like that! Loves it.
P.S. your mom looked JUST like you when she was younger — so sweet!
That looks so comforting! I just moved to the east coast from Oregon and I am missing my family big time! I also find that cooking a recipe from my mom makes me feel close to home! I hope you have lunch/dinner for the next few nights!!! yummmmm
i loved this post. it makes me sad to think that you are missing home. i know how much i love being home with my parents, and i miss them when im away, so picturing you across the country and missing ur mom makes me sad. i hope you get out for a night with some friends or the boy, just to take your mind off things. im sitting next to my mom, and reading this makes me miss her! the recipe looks fantastic, and i adore that your mom handwrote all of the recipes for you. you have a lot going on right now. keep your head up and remember we all still love your blog!
Awesome post! I love it- the pictures and the recipe!!
My husband makes HUGE batches of chili every few weeks throughout the winter, and we eat it for a week straight and usually still have some leftover, which I end up freezing. Such a good meal
He actually collaborated with our friend and neighbor and made a ‘stone chili’ the other night, and we had a lovely chili dinner party with a bunch of friends.
I always get cravings for my mom’s homemade vegetable soup! One time I stopped at home on a business trip and I was just starting to get sick… and she had a pot on the stove for me! It was great!
That chili looks and sounds great right now! It is pouring in this part of California!
nothin beats mom’s home made meals!
Mmm I’m glad you went with chili- that’s where my vote was!
No judging here. I often get the urge to move back home.
I don’t get Sarah’s comment…uh “old” and “new”…there’s a reason why things are “old” and “new” – they’re different!! Things change!
Do people honestly expect people to not change or to be the same person as the years past?? Are you for real?? Everybody changes, things change, life changes. ….it’s called the past and the present. And living in the past , no matter if it was good or not – isn’t the way to live…okay that’s all; gonna just keep it real from now on and not get caught up . These negative comments take away from the simplicity and enjoyment of the blog….
Cyclist Kate said it best.
I love the cookbook your mom made you-how special! I have a binder that I made myself that has recipes from my mom, but not nearly as cool as her making it. Chili looks awesome and agreed, usually things like Chili and soup are way better the next day!
Seriously, I didn’t even like chili until a few months ago. But recently I’ve been craving it so this is the perfect post. Absolutely read my mind. Maybe I’ll make my own first batch now.
Love the cookbook from your mom – that’s so sweet! I love my mom’s recipes – they’re so good
have you ever had it on grits? being from the south i figured you might, but its so genius and avoids the potential for burning cornbread (i promise i talk not from experience, ahem). But i do love a good noodle and chili too, kinda like chili-mac!!! loves it and loooves you jjenna!
MA
There is something so wonderful about chili, noodles, and cheddar cheese! Chili alone is good comfort food – but all 3 combined. It makes me feel like a kid again. My mom served it this way too…and still does! I love that there are 8 cloves of garlic! YummmO!!
Why is it that chili gets better over time?
It was one thing I remember growing up that I never put up a fight about having as leftovers because it was sooo good later in the week. We always loaded ours with cheese and oyster crackers
I don’t have a TV either… there are better things to do with our time, don’t you think?
Is Adam your boyfriend? I’ve been trying to guess.
What an awesome chili recipe! Aside from the fact that I’m vegan, it sounds delicious!! I just made a vegan chili the other night, but it’s nowhere near as complex as yours. You put me to shame:)
Awww, that’s so sweet that your mom made that recipe book for you! I want to do that for my daughter when she goes to college. But that’s a long ways a way… she’s only 3!
This chili looks and sounds amazing!! It is going to rain in New England tomorrow… this just might be on the menu
Hope you enjoyed every bite!
When I first left for college I was excited to move out once my junior year came around I started begging my mom to move up to Orlando. I don’t judge, I totally understand and am jealous you got to live at home again. I love home and my mom too. Your mom sounds amazing and so does that chili!!
My mom made me a similar cook book when I moved out and I cherish it. I am 32 and miss living in with my parents so no judging here. The hubs loves chili so I will try this recipe soon.
Love your blog!
that chili sounds amazing! bookmarking this recipe…now
Is chili really intricate and complex?
not to be a food snob, I’m just curious if this is your definition?
rock on!
we are the same age and i have moved back in with my parents too many times since i graduated college in 2007. my fiance is deployed to afghanistan so here i am living with them again while i try to find a job and finish up grad school! I used to hate it and let it affect my self-esteem but now i just look at it as a blessing to be able to live in a beautiful place and not have to worry about money!
Ha, you’re kitchen looks just like mine, with everything all crammed around the KitchenAid. That chili looks nummy, I should make a vegetarian version the next time I get that comfort-food hankering. Only a matter of time.
Love lots of garlic. Recipe sounds excellent. DARLING pix of you and your Mom. I love my mother SOOOO much too, miss her a lot as we live in different states. Love the hand made recipe book…what a very thoughtful mother. Have pix like that too, only ours is on Santa Monica beach at about age 2. Wish my mom lived near me.
Hey girl- even Oprah has haters! The beautiful thing is that along with the haters come many more followers
You should be proud of yourself! I really don’t get some of these past comments about you as if you are some depressed and confused lost soul on the verge of a break down? You are only in your twenties, finished your education, lived in France, moved to another state all alone, very disciplined in healthy eating and excercise, successful blog, and to top things off – have a book deal! Boy- what a slacker! Lol
awesomeness…nothing is best than some feel good food (espicially some food that your ma made recipe that you re-create to remind you of her…total run on sentence or what…lol …man I miss my ma!)
looks real good!
good comfort food and some yum wine = contentness for the night:)
I love the cookbook, so sweet!
Jenna, Yum! I am making that chili this weekend!!
That book is beautiful – such a perfect leaving gift, your Mum must be really amazing!
And chilli – yum! Is there any better comfort food?
(maybe macaroni cheese, actually!)
Chili is the one dish that reminds me of home. My mom had an AWESOME slow cooker dish that I begged her to give to me (along with a crock pot!!) when I was on my own. Every time I make it, the smell alone invokes memories of home. She would make it every Halloween and serve it with TONS of melted cheese on top and a glass of apple cider. It was usually cold out so it geared us up for a night of trick-or-treating. I love how food has the ability to provide such deep connections to family and culture. It’s nice to have a little piece of it when you are so far away. Take care, and ENJOY HOME!
I know what you mean…since moving out to DC I really can’t afford things like furniture or a TV if I want to make rent! I am happy living where I live but it does make me miss the comforts of home…
What a WONDERFUL way to capture memories of your mom’s recipes! That’s such a beautiful and priceless gift! I hear you: I moved home several times during and after college and even grad school! Unemployment, break ups, decision changes–what we’ll both probably always take away from those experiences is that our parents are there for us no matter what.
Chili is the one dish that reminds me of home. My mom had an AWESOME slow cooker dish that I begged her to give to me (along with a crock pot!!) when I was on my own. Every time I make it, the smell alone invokes memories of home. She would make it every Halloween and serve it with TONS of melted cheese on top and a glass of apple cider. It was usually cold out so it geared us up for a night of trick-or-treating. I love how food has the ability to provide such deep connections to family and culture. It’s nice to have a little piece of it when you are so far away. Take care, and ENJOY HOME!
I am totally making this for dinner tonight! Thanks so much for the delicious recipe!!! This reminds me of Cincinnati style chili
looks amazing Jenna! and such an easy recipe. I wanna make!
oh my goodness – this looks absolutely delicious! THANK YOU for posting the recipe
Oh this recipe looks awesome!!!! I’m definitely going to have to try it sometime!
No shame about missing home or moving home more than once! I am a married woman and sometimes I still sleepover at my parents when he goes out of town for work. Sometimes it is just nice being taken care of! And like your parents, my parents are pretty fun too…
I moved in and out of my parents house a few times myself; even now that I’m married with a child and I house I love less than half a mile away (we didn’t plan it that way but it’s pretty convenient).
That chili looks delicious. It was a rainy, gross day here yesterday – I definitely could’ve used a bowl of that!!
I LOVE that Bon Appetit sign in your kitchen!! Where did you get it??
That sounds so good. I want to make some comfort food for myself. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Jenna, Your blog is the first food/fitness blog that I ever read. I don’t even remember how I found it; but once I did, I was hooked. Every morning over breakfast, I check my Google Reader, and “Eat, Live, Run” is the first one that I go to. Your blog finds itself in one of the most satisfying moments of my day: a quiet time to myself, before the mad rush begins.
Life is everchanging, thus a blog about someone’s life would (obviously) change as well. I love your spontaneity, honesty, and humorous outlook on life! Keep rollin’ girl.
I’m glad you made some comfort food to comfort you in these times. Wine is also a great help!
I also put brown sugar in my chili recipe! I’ve never put red wine in mine though…I’ll have to try that.
Have you ever tried adding chocolate? I put like 1-2 tablespoons of dark cocoa powder in my chili… it really brings out the smoke.
Wow that chili looks soo easy and delicious – gotta love all that garlic mmmm, this is a must try.
I have a tendancy to collect chilli recipes and this is another one for my book. It looks so good and I bet it would be awesome in a crock pot too. Will make this very soon!
This is awesome! I just did the same thing with home made lentil soup! Freezes well, inexpensive and delish- great combo! xoxo
all im gonna say is haters are always gonna hate! (horrible grammar I know) besides that, its a good quote because there are always people out there who are going to find the negative in something. I completely love your blog and what ever you choose to write, i will read because I enjoy reading the blog! People are always going to have comments or try and bring people down, just brush it off your shoulder because there still are people out here who think your great!!!
and plus the weekend is coming up! partayyy!!!!!
I made this tonight! SO good!! I thought it was slightly acidic, but I did add some toppings so maybe that is why? Anyway – thank you for the recipe! I’ve been dying for a chili recipe that gets nice and thick like this!
I just finished making this chili, and I’ve gotta say – my kitchen is a disaster area!! It will be worth it though! Thanks for the recipe, I can’t wait to eat
I made this chili last night just as you posted it and I LOVE it. We ate it again for lunch today … so true that chili tastes better as it ages. My husband is really tied to his dad’s chili recipe but this is my new favorite.
I made this chili last night to freeze. I had home-grown tomatoes and jalapenos that desperately wanted to be used (and I’ve had too much salsa recently). I had a bowl last night (yummm) and I’m already excited to thaw some out once the weather gets a bit cooler.
Months and months after posting this recipe and I am just seeing it! It looks wonderful! Is this something I could throw in a crock pot after sauteing the onion, garlic and peppers and browning the meat? I am trying to find a yummy meal I can make for my fiance’s family and his room mate/ and his family. I am looking for comfort food as the air will be chilly and half the group will just be getting out of a car from a 7 hour drive… we won’t have enough time before to make it on the stove.. and it sounds like it would pair perfectly with fresh cornbread, cheese and a fresh salad.
I just made this chili yesterday, and I love it! I had it for dinner last night and reheated for lunch today. I am amazed that it tastes to good without having to add any salt to the recipe!
Jenna – you are a genius, and this recipe totally saved me today! I had a plan to make this chili for a football-watching Sunday for me & my boyfriend, and then out of the blue, his entire family decided to stop by. Thank god for this recipe – they all LOVED it. In fact, everyone went back for seconds, and they NEVER go back for seconds of anything
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
oh good!! I’m so glad!! Today is the perfect chili sort of day
Jenna – I dunno how I can love someone so much who I’ve never met! (I ‘m talking love in the way where I wanna bottle you up and sit you next to my bed kind of way)
Just made this last night! Amazing! Was it supposed to be 2 tsp of chili powder instead of tbsp? super spicy, but it was awesome!
haha no, it’s a tablespoon! I guess we just like it super spicy. You could totally scale it down for your tastes!
this chili is simmering at this very moment! i also have cornbread in the oven and can hardly contain myself! adding wine was a good move– thanks for this!
Have this simmering on the stove right now AND your cinnamon walnut bread in the oven! So excited to have this over the weekend! yummm
Is it possible to write out the recipe in complete form at the end? Or easy format to print off? Thanks.