Turkey Bean Chili Thai Rice
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
A hearty turkey and red bean chili with a lemongrass-ginger kick, served over fluffy Thai jasmine rice for a protein-packed bowl.
A hearty turkey and red bean chili with a lemongrass-ginger kick, served over fluffy Thai jasmine rice for a protein-packed bowl. The chili is rich and warming while the rice keeps it mellow. Fusion comfort that comes together fast.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 500g lean ground turkey
- 🫗 2 cans (400g each) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 🫗 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
- 🫗 1 small red onion, diced
- 🫗 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 🫗 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 🫗 1 lemongrass stalk, bruised (optional)
- 🫗 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 🫗 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 🫗 1 1/2 cups cooked jasmine rice
- 🫗 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 🫗 fresh cilantro, for serving
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot and sauté the onion, garlic and ginger until soft, about 3 minutes.
Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up, until browned all over.
Stir in the chili powder, cumin and lemongrass, then add the crushed tomatoes and kidney beans.
Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Discard the lemongrass, season to taste and serve over the jasmine rice with fresh cilantro.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕
Not browning the turkey fully before adding the liquids, which weakens the flavor.
- ✕
Adding the beans too early, so they break apart and turn mushy.
- ✕
Skipping the resting time for the rice, serving it sticky and clumped.
🔄 Variations
Add diced bell pepper or corn for extra sweetness and crunch.
Use black beans or pinto beans instead of kidney beans.
Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to boost protein.
🧊 Storage
- 📦
Keeps for up to 4 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer.
- 📦
Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of water if it thickens too much.
💡 Chef Tips
Tip 1: Simmer over low heat so the flavors meld without scorching the bottom.
Tip 2: Rinse the canned beans well to cut the sodium by nearly half.
Tip 3: This chili freezes beautifully — portion it out for easy post-workout lunches.
❓ FAQ
Why serve chili with Thai rice? Jasmine rice adds a fragrant, fluffy base that soaks up the chili without overpowering its ginger and lemongrass notes.
Is this good for meal prep? Yes, it makes four generous portions that keep well and freeze perfectly.
Is it gluten-free? Yes, all the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
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About the Authors
This recipe and guide was developed, tested, and approved in our home kitchen and daily life. Jamy is a retired Food Service District Manager and Early Childhood Program Manager who spent his career overseeing multi-site restaurant operations, large-scale culinary production, and daycare menu management. Kaïna brings the ultimate real-world test: making sure it brings ease and joy to our kids on a busy weeknight.
Read more about our professional background and philosophy →