Craving a cozy bowl of chili that skips the added sugar? This sweet and spicy bacon turkey chili is a hearty, one-pot dinner that’s perfect for meal prep — like our shepherd’s pie and baked tortellini with meat sauce, it’s the kind of warm, comforting dinner the whole family digs into.
Sweet and Spicy Bacon and Turkey Chili is a cozy, one-pot dinner that comes together in just over an hour. It’s lightly sweetened with cacao and cinnamon, warmed up with cayenne and jalapeño, and loaded with bacon and lean ground turkey for a hearty, satisfying bowl.
Unlike many traditional chili recipes, this one has no added sugar — none of the hidden cane sugar, molasses, or high fructose corn syrup you’ll find in most store-bought bouillon, stock, and canned beans. Just whole-food ingredients that simmer into a rich, deeply savory chili you’ll want all winter long.
Every recipe on Real Balanced is tested before it’s published — read about how we develop and test our recipes.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
💛 Why you’ll love this recipe
- No added sugar: all the cozy flavor without the hidden sweeteners in most canned chili ingredients.
- One pot, about an hour: easy to make and easy to clean up.
- Protein-packed: lean ground turkey plus bacon makes it filling and satisfying.
- Meal-prep friendly: it tastes even better the next day and freezes beautifully.
- Sweet, savory, and a little spicy: cacao and cinnamon balance the cayenne and jalapeño.
👉 Easy ingredient swaps
- Ground turkey: ground chicken, beef, or bison all work well.
- Bacon: use sugar-free bacon, or leave it out to keep things leaner.
- Jalapeño: turn up the heat with a serrano, or tone it down by removing the seeds.
- Cacao powder: unsweetened cocoa powder works just as well.
✨ Variations
- Add beans: stir in your favorite beans if you’re not keeping it low-carb.
- Make it spicier: add extra cayenne, red pepper flakes, or a diced chipotle.
- Bulk it up: add extra bell peppers, zucchini, or sweet potato.
- Slow cooker: brown the meat first, then simmer everything on low for 6–8 hours.
〰️ How to serve
- Top each bowl with avocado, shredded cheddar, scallions, and a dollop of Greek yogurt.
- Serve with cornbread, tortilla chips, or a simple green salad.
- Spoon it over a baked sweet potato or rice for an even heartier meal.
- Make a big batch for game day or a cozy weeknight dinner.
💬 FAQs
Can I make this chili ahead of time?
Yes — it’s perfect for meal prep, and it actually tastes better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
Can I freeze turkey chili?
Absolutely. Let it cool, then freeze in airtight containers for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Why is there cacao and cinnamon in chili?
A little cacao and cinnamon add warmth and depth without making the chili taste sweet — it’s a classic trick that rounds out the savory, spicy flavors.
Is this chili very spicy?
It has a gentle kick from cayenne and jalapeño, but it’s easy to adjust. Remove the jalapeño seeds for a milder chili, or add more cayenne if you like things hot.
How do I make it low-carb or Whole30?
As written it’s already low in sugar and grain-free. Leave out any beans and use a Whole30-compliant bacon to keep it fully compliant.
📚 More cozy dinner recipes
🍽 Recipe
Email Recipe
Enter your email below and we’ll send you this recipe!
Sweet And Spicy Bacon And Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 12 slices sugar-free bacon, cut into small pieces
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 1 jalapeño, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt
- 1 tsp cracked black pepper
- 4 bell peppers, assorted colors, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 ribs celery, diced
- 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
- 6 oz can tomato paste
Toppings:
- Greek yogurt
- Avocado
- Scallions
- Shredded sharp cheddar
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Crisp bacon in large pot over medium heat.
- Remove crisped bacon from pot with tongs and place in bowl.
- Add ground turkey and jalapeño to pot to cook in bacon fat.
- Once turkey is cooked throughout and jalapeño has softened, add all dry spices, cover, and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add vegetables, stir, cover, and simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and tomato paste.
- Cover and reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 40 minutes.
- Remove chili from burner and stir in 3/4 of bacon crumbles.
- Garnish with Greek yogurt, remaining bacon crumbles, avocado slices, scallions, and cilantro.
Leave a Reply