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If you’re looking for a hearty, flavorful, and Weight Watchers–friendly chili, this Tex-Mex turkey and pinto bean chili is the answer. Made with lean ground turkey, plenty of beans, and a unique blend of cocoa powder and molasses, it’s a lighter spin on classic chili that doesn’t sacrifice depth of flavor.
I love making chili all year long, but especially in the cooler months when a warm bowl really hits the spot. What makes this one stand out is the balance—lean protein from the turkey, fiber-rich pinto beans, and a smoky-sweet richness from ingredients you might not expect in chili. Once I tried it, it quickly became my go-to recipe.
This simple chili is great for busy weeknights since it cooks in one pot, but it also makes enough to meal prep or freeze for later. Whether you’re following WW, or just want a healthier chili recipe with Tex-Mex flavors, this one is a keeper.
Table of Contents
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Center-cut bacon – Adds smoky flavor; you can omit for a leaner version.
- Lean ground turkey – Use 93% lean; ground chicken, pork, or beef also work.
- Onion, garlic, jalapeños – Classic chili aromatics. Remove seeds for milder heat.
- Chili powder, cocoa powder, ground cumin – The spice base; cocoa adds depth without sweetness.
- Canned whole tomatoes in puree – Provides the sauce base. You can substitute crushed tomatoes.
- Molasses – Adds richness and balances acidity. A touch of maple syrup or brown sugar can substitute.
- Pinto beans – Hearty and creamy; black beans, kidney beans, or a mix also work.
WW Points & Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous cup
- Calories: about 304 per serving
- WW Points: To see your WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app.
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) - Old Points: 8 PointsPlus
How to Cook Tex Mex Turkey Chili with Beans Step-by-Step
Step 1: Cook the bacon
In a Dutch oven or multi-cooker (I used my Ninja 3-in-1 Cooking System (affiliate link)), cook bacon over medium heat until crisp-tender (6–8 minutes).
Step 2: Sauté aromatics
Add onions, garlic, and jalapeños. Cook about 5 minutes until softened.
Step 3: Brown the turkey
Add ground turkey. Break up with a spoon or mix-and-chop tool and cook until browned (about 10 minutes).
Step 4: Add spices
Stir in chili powder, cocoa powder, and cumin. Cook for 1–2 minutes to bloom flavors.
Step 5: Add tomatoes and molasses
Break up tomatoes with your hands, add to the pot with puree, water, molasses, and salt. Stir to combine.
Step 6: Simmer
Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
Step 7: Add beans & finish
Stir in beans. Simmer uncovered 30–45 minutes, until thickened.
Recipe Notes and Variations
- Slow cooker method: Brown bacon, vegetables, and turkey first, then transfer to a slow cooker with remaining ingredients. Cook on LOW 4–5 hours.
- Make it vegetarian: Swap turkey for vegetarian crumbles or add extra beans and vegetables.
- Adjust spice: For more heat, leave jalapeño seeds in or add chipotle powder.
- Batch size: Recipe makes a large pot — halve the ingredients for a smaller batch.
Serving Suggestions
- Top with shredded cheese, cilantro, or pickled jalapeños.
- Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, or cornbread.
- Spoon over rice, cauliflower rice, or baked potatoes.
- Add to a salad for a lighter taco-style salad.
Ways to Use Leftover Chili
- Soup: Add chicken broth, corn, and cilantro.
- Nachos: Spoon over tortilla chips with cheese and toppings.
- Stuffed potatoes: Use chili as a hearty filling.
- Chili mac: Stir into pasta, top with cheese, and bake.
- Dip: Mix into cream cheese for a warm party dip.
- Freeze: Store in portions for easy future meals.
If you’ve made this Ground Turkey & Bean Tex-Mex Chili, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Easy Tex-Mex Turkey and Pinto Bean Chili
Ingredients
- 3 slices center cut bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips
- 3 pounds 93% lean ground turkey
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 jalapeño peppers, minced (seeds removed for less heat)
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 4 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) whole peeled tomatoes in puree
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 cup water
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 4 cans (15.5 ounces each) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Add bacon to dutch oven, or multi-cooker, and cook on medium 6-8 minutes, until crisp.
- Add onions, garlic and jalapeños. Stirring frequently until softened (about 5 minutes).
- Add turkey and break up the meat. Cook until browned (about 10 minutes).
- Add chili powder, cocoa, and cumin. Stir for 1-2 minutes.
- Break up tomatoes with your hands and add along with remaining puree fro the cans to the pot.
- Add molasses, water, and salt. Reduce heat to simmer and cook covered for 15 minutes.
- Add beans. Continue cooking uncovered for 30-45 minutes.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 7 SmartPoints (Green plan) 5 SmartPoints (Blue plan) 5 SmartPoints (Purple plan) 8 PointsPlus (Old plan) This recipe can also be cooked in a slow cooker. If using a multi-cooker, use stove top setting until meat is browned; then add remaining ingredients and set to slow cook on LOW for 4 hours. Substitutions and Variations:
- Substitute any ground meat for the the turkey.
- Substitute any type of beans for the pinto beans.
- Use the Mix N Chop by Pampered Chef to break up ground meat easily.
- Bulk it up with veggies instead of meat to make it vegetarian.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe source: Everyday Food: Fresh Flavor Fast: 250 Easy, Delicious Recipes for Any Time of Day (affiliate link) by Martha Stewart Living (affiliate link) Magazine
More Weight Watchers Chili Recipes
- Mom’s Best Chili – A family favorite classic made lighter for WW.
- 3-Bean Slow Cooker Turkey Sausage Chili – A hearty, high-protein chili that’s perfect for meal prep.
- WW Pepperoni Pizza Chili – A fun twist combining chili and pizza flavors.
- Slow Cooker Chuck Wagon Chili – A cowboy-style chili that’s rich and filling.
Make Weight Loss Simple and Satisfying
Recipes like this chili prove you don’t have to give up comfort food to lose weight. My Ultimate eCookbook Bundle is packed with WW-friendly recipes, meal plans, and strategies to make healthy living easier.
