Global
Turkey & Three-Bean Chili (Big-Batch)
A one-pot chili that makes six portions and tastes even better on day three, with lean turkey, three kinds of beans and a rich smoky tomato base.
Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 6.
Ingredients
- 750g lean turkey mince
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 onions, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 800g chopped tomatoes
- 400g each: kidney, black & cannellini beans
- 1 cup stock
- Salt & pepper
Cooking Steps
Brown the turkey in olive oil; add onion and garlic and soften.
Stir in the spices for 1 minute.
Add tomatoes, all the beans and stock; simmer 30–40 minutes.
Season, then divide into 6 shallow containers to cool quickly.
Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
Optional Enhancements
- Beef 5% or lentils instead of turkey
- Add grated dark chocolate for depth
- Serve over rice, potato or greens
Plant & Growing Tips
Tomatoes
- Plant in full sun in rich, well-drained soil, providing sturdy support like stakes or cages.
- Water deeply and consistently, especially as fruits are setting and developing.
- Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost, transplanting outdoors when temperatures are reliably warm.
Chilis
- Grow in full sun and warm conditions; consider containers for easy relocation if temperatures drop.
- Provide well-draining soil and consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering.
- Chili plants benefit from a balanced fertilizer once fruiting begins.
Beans
- Direct sow seeds after the last frost when soil temperatures have warmed, ensuring good drainage.
- For pole beans, provide a trellis, stakes, or netting for them to climb.
- Keep soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and pod development.
Onions
- Plant onion sets or seeds in early spring in full sun and well-drained, fertile soil.
- Ensure good air circulation between plants by spacing them 4-6 inches apart.
- Keep the area weed-free to prevent competition for nutrients and moisture.
Garlic
- Plant individual cloves (pointed end up) in autumn or late winter in full sun and well-drained soil.
- Space cloves about 4-6 inches apart and cover with 1-2 inches of soil.
- Water regularly during dry periods, reducing water as harvest approaches.
Natural Pest Control
- Protect young bean plants from cutworms by placing collars around stems at soil level.
- Hand-pick tomato hornworms from tomato and chili plants, dropping them into soapy water.
- Use neem oil spray to control aphids on chili and bean plants, especially on new growth.
- Install row covers over young onion plants to deter onion thrips and maggots.
Harvest
Tomatoes
- Pick tomatoes when they are fully colored and firm to the touch, before they become soft.
Chilis
- Harvest chilis when they reach their desired size and color, which can vary by variety (green, red, orange, yellow).
Beans
- Pick bean pods when they are tender and the seeds inside are still small, before the pods become tough or stringy.
Onions
- Harvest onions when their tops naturally yellow and fall over; allow them to cure in a dry, airy place.
Garlic
- Harvest garlic when the lower third of the leaves have yellowed and flopped, but before all the leaves turn brown and dry.
Storing & Freezing
Fridge 3 to 4 days; flavour improves by day 2 to 3. Freezes brilliantly for 3 months. Thaw overnight, reheat until piping hot (75°C+).
