Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (2024)

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (1)

So recently my husband and I were out running errands and popped into Panera Bread for a quick lunch. I like that I can get fresh and healthy menu items there, complete with nutritional information and smaller half portions. I find this to be a constant battle because let's face it, eating healthy when you are out and about can be challenging. On this particular day I tried the turkey chili and I have to tell you that I was super impressed! It was super flavorful, had the right amount of heat and seasonings and lots of textural goodies in there - always a bonus for me. After finding myself running through the Panera Bread drive-through after my exercise class a couple more times fora cup of this turkey chili, I figured I'd better just get on with the process of making my own.

As with any chili, the process is a basic brown and dump, stir and wait. Nothing complicated. Just as a bonus, going the turkey route makes your basic chili recipe healthier by lowering the fat. There are some carbs in here due to the beans and corn, but remember, beans are low on the glycemic index (GI) (less than 55) and have a lot of fiber. They won't affect your blood sugar the same way a medium or high GI food would. According to the Panera Bread website, 1 cup has 170cal, 8g fat (1.5g sat fat), 21g carbs, 10g fiber, 4g sugar, 11g protein. Of course I don't claim to know their exact recipe, but I think this is a pretty close approximation. Next time you get in the mood for a big bowl of chili, but don't want to ruin your diet, give this one a shot! This clean eating recipe is also gluten free if that is something you are concerned about.

#healthy #southwestern #chili #glutenfree #dairyfree #lowfat

Ingredients: (serves 6-8)

    Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (2)
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
  • 2 pounds ground turkey (93/7)
  • 2 medium onions, chopped small
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped into small matchsticks
  • 4 stalks celery, chopped fine
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 (4oz) can chopped green chiles
  • 1 (28oz) can petite diced canned tomatoes
  • 1 (6oz) can tomato paste
  • 1 box (32oz) chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 (16oz) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (16oz) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
  • 2/3 cup corn (drain if canned)
  • 2/3 cup shelled frozen edamame
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 1 large lime (probably just under 1/4 cup for a large lime)
  • 1 cup tortilla strips

Step-by-Step:

Step 1 - Turkey.Brown the turkey in the EVOO in a heavy pot or dutch oven, crumbling as it cooks; but leave it chunky enough to look like chili. Turkey is so soft that if you aren't careful, it can completely break up so much that it will look like sand.

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (3)
1 Tbsp EVOO
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (4)
2 pounds (93/7) ground turkey

Step 2 - Mirepoix.When the turkey is about two thirds of the way brown, add the mirepoix (chopped onions, celery and carrots). Saute the vegetables on medium heat for about ten minutes until they are soft.

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (5)
2 medium onions, chopped
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (6)
4 stalks celery, chopped
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (7)
2 carrots, peeled and chopped into small matchsticks

Allow to cook down until vegetables are soft, about ten minutes, on medium heat.

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (8)

Step 3 - Seasoning. Basically, just dump all the seasonings in there.

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (9)
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt (use less if using regular table salt)
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (10)
1-2 tsp black pepper
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (11)
2 Tbsp ground cumin
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (12)
2 Tbsp chili powder
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (13)
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (14)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (15)
2 tsp garlic powder

The whole time you are adding the seasoning allows the mirepoix to continue to cook. By this time, you kitchen should be starting to smell pretty darned good!

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (16)

Step 4 - Flavor Base. Now that the meat is flavorful and the vegetables are soft, add in the liquids and thickeners. These are the things that deepen the flavor.

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (17)
1 (4oz) can chopped green chiles
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (18)
1 (28oz) can petite diced tomatoes
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (19)
1 (6oz) can tomato paste
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (20)
1 (32oz) box stock of your choice - chicken or vegetable

Step 5 - Textural Elements. These are healthy, colorful, textural components that also add a ton of fiber and vitamins and "goodness" to the pot.


Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (21)
1 (16oz) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (22)
1 (16oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (may also be labeled garbanzo beans)
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (23)
2/3 cup corn (drained)
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (24)
2/3 cup shelled edamame (will probably find them frozen)

Now it's getting really pretty, right? 😊 If you are really concerned about carbs, you can modify as needed and omit the corn, but split into eight servings, you are only getting around 0.75oz corn which has a very low carb count. The chickpeas have a texture similar to potatoes in this chili recipe.

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (25)

Step 6 - The Finishing Touches. Bring out those amazing Tex-Mex flavors with fresh cilantro and a big dose of acidity from the lime juice to brighten it all up.

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (26)
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (27)
Juice of 1 large lime

**Many of the recipe criticisms for Panera Bread's turkey chili recipe were along the lines of "It's too soupy" or "I couldn't get mine to thicken up." So... I sought to rectify that here. Many Southwestern-inspired chiles are thickened with masa harina (corn flour) or in some instances corn meal or polenta. They absorb and help thicken the liquid after about ten minutes of simmering. I'm taking an easy shortcut and adding these tortilla strips to my pot of chili. They will completely disappear in the chili, help thicken it, and then I can also use them as a great crunchy garnish on top.


Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (28)
1 cup tortilla strips
Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (29)
The tortilla strips will all just go away like magic after several minutes.

Serve plain or with your favorite garnishes! My kids love when I make cornbread muffins as an accompaniment to chili.

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (30)

Bonus Recipes -
Grab-n-Go Thai Peanut Chicken Noodle Bowls

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (31)

Lemon Zucchini Muffins

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (32)

Marinated Turkey Burgers

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (33)

Pan Seared Chicken in Tarragon Cream Sauce- Fancy enough for guests, quick and easy enough for a fabulous weeknight meal.

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (34)

Easy Beef Lo Mein- Sometimes staying IN for Chinese is more fun than going out, especially when it's this easy.

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (35)

Easy Garlic Butter Salmon Packets

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (36)

The Menu Musings Cookbook makes a fantastic holiday gift!

Click HERE to find out more about the cookbook, the cool QRS features it has for each recipe that bring readers back to the blog, etc. It's the only hardcopy interactive cookbook on the market!

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (37)


Written Method:

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (38)

Step 1 - Turkey.Brown the turkey in the EVOO in a heavy pot or dutch oven, crumbling as it cooks; but leave it chunky enough to look like chili. Turkey is so soft that if you aren't careful, it can completely break up so much that it will look like sand.

  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
  • 2 pounds ground turkey (93/7)

Step 2 - Mirepoix.When the turkey is about two thirds of the way brown, add the mirepoix (chopped onions, celery and carrots). Saute the vegetables on medium heat for about ten minutes until they are soft.

  • 2 medium onions, chopped small
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped into small matchsticks
  • 4 stalks celery, chopped fine

Step 3 - Seasoning.Basically, just dump all the seasonings in there.

  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1-2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tsp garlic powder

Step 4 - Flavor Base.Now that the meat is flavorful and the vegetables are soft, add in the liquids and thickeners. These are the things that deepen the flavor.

  • 1 (4oz) can chopped green chiles
  • 1 (28oz) can petite diced canned tomatoes
  • 1 (6oz) can tomato paste
  • 1 (32oz) box chicken or vegetable stock

Step 5 - Textural Elements. These are healthy, colorful, textural components that also add a ton of fiber and vitamins and "goodness" to the pot.


  • 1 (16oz) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (16oz) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
  • 2/3 cup corn (drain if canned)
  • 2/3 cup shelled frozen edamame

Step 6 - The Finishing Touches. Bring out those amazing Tex-Mex flavors with fresh cilantro and a big dose of acidity from the lime juice to brighten it all up. The tortilla strips will disappear after about ten minutes and act as a thickener.

  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 1 large lime (probably just under 1/4 cup for a large lime)
  • 1 cup tortilla strips

Serve plain or with your favorite garnishes! I suggest cornbread muffins as an accompaniment.

Copycat Recipe of Panera Bread's Turkey Chili (2024)

FAQs

What's in Panera chili? ›

Our Turkey Chili recipe is made with the following savory blend of turkey and beans slow cooked with veggies and spices:
  • Dark turkey meat raised without antibiotics.
  • Turkey broth.
  • Kidney beans.
  • Chickpeas.
  • Tomatoes.
  • Onions.
  • Carrots.
  • Green chiles.

How many carbs in a bowl of Panera turkey chili? ›

Panera Bread Soups Turkey Chili Bread Bowl (1 serving) contains 153g total carbs, 138g net carbs, 11g fat, 11g protein, and 840 calories.

Is the turkey chili at Panera GF? ›

Panera Gluten-Free Soups

These soups include: Autumn Squash Vegetarian Soup. Turkey Chili.

Does Panera sell chilli? ›

Turkey Chili | Panera Bread.

Is Panera's turkey chili spicy? ›

The Turkey Chili at Panera is a great middle-of-the-road chili crowd-pleaser. It comes loaded with vegetables and spices that complement the mildness of the turkey but are not too spicy or bland. People who want to reduce the amount of saturated fat they eat will love this alternative to traditional beef chili.

What brand of turkey does Panera use? ›

"I am pleased Panera Bread will continue to serve Plainville Farms turkey as we work on several other initiatives to provide organic and natural product offerings from Hain Celestial's portfolio of brands." Hain Celestial is a leading producer of organic and natural products.

Does Panera turkey chili have beans? ›

Turkey Chili - Group. A hearty blend of dark-meat turkey raised without antibiotics and chickpeas and kidney beans slow cooked in an ancho and pasilla stock with tomatillos, tomatoes, edamame, carrots, cilantro, cumin and lime.

Is Panera chili healthy? ›

Soups. The Ten Vegetable Soup and Turkey Chili are the healthiest of the bunch, with less saturated fat and more veggies than others. If you want a more decadent soup, ordering a cup instead of a bowl will make it a healthier choice.

Who makes turkey chili? ›

Turkey Chili | Wolf Brand Chili.

Why do Panera salads have so many carbs? ›

Many salads at Panera Bread are surprisingly high in carbs due to the addition of croutons, tortilla strips, beans, corn, fruit, or other high carb toppings. Additionally, many of their salad dressings are loaded with sugar. To reduce the carb count, order your dressing on the side — and only use what you need.

What sandwich did Panera get rid of? ›

Here's the full list of discontinued menu items, according to Eat This, Not That: Black Forest Ham & Gouda Melt – Toasted Baguette. Pepperoni Mozzarella Melt – Toasted Baguette. Chicken & Pepperoni Mozzarella Melt – Stacked Toasted Baguette.

How much protein is in panera turkey chili? ›

Panera Bread Turkey Chili With Beans (1 container) contains 29g total carbs, 18g net carbs, 11g fat, 22g protein, and 300 calories.

Does oatmeal have gluten? ›

Are oats gluten-free? Pure oats are gluten-free and safe for most people with gluten intolerance. However, oats are often contaminated with gluten because they may be processed in the same facilities as gluten-containing grains like wheat, rye, and barley.

Does Panera chili have beans? ›

A hearty blend of dark-meat turkey raised without antibiotics and chickpeas and kidney beans slow cooked in an ancho and pasilla stock with tomatillos, tomatoes, edamame, carrots, cilantro, cumin and lime.

Does traditional chili have kidney beans? ›

Frequently Asked Questions. What type of beans does a traditional chili recipe use? Just as there are several variations of what is considered "real chili," this dish uses several bean varieties. Some popular options include kidney, black, pinto, cannellini, or canned beans.

Does authentic chilli have kidney beans? ›

Small red or pink common beans are commonly used for chili, as are black beans, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, pinto beans, great northern beans, or navy beans. Most commercially prepared canned chili includes beans. Commercial chili prepared without beans is usually called "chili no beans" in the United States.

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