This hearty dutch oven chili is the ultimate comfort food! Made with a rich coffee chocolate stout, healthier ground turkey, and satisfying farro, this chili is also packed with veggies.
This post was originally published on February 19, 2016. It has been updated on December 21, 2022 with new photos, more helpful content, and an updated recipe that's better than ever!
When comfort food season is here, it's so lovely to cozy up on the couch with a warm bowl of chili.
If you're looking for a classic chili recipe in less cooking time, try my Instant Pot Turkey Chili. It's made with three beans, ground turkey, and so flavorful and fast thanks to the electric pressure cooker!
But if you're looking for a richer, unique chili recipe, try this dutch oven chili with turkey, farro, and stout. It's mood-altering and soul-soothing during blustery winter days.
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🌟 Why this dish works
This hearty turkey chili hits the spot on cold, winter days.
- This is an easy recipe to follow.
- It uses simple ingredients you can find in almost any grocery store (be sure to check my substitution options below, too).
- Ground turkey makes it a healthier option compared to traditional beef chili.
- The stout beer adds another layer of depth of flavor.
- You can top it with all your favorite toppings, like sour cream, cheddar cheese, green onions or chives, jalapenos, and more.
🍺 Ingredient notes
The full ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below. Here are some notes about some of the key ingredients:
Ground turkey - this helps keep the chili leaner and healthier. But you can substitute ground beef or ground pork if you prefer.
Beer - A dark stout adds richness to the chili. If you prefer, you can substitute beef broth for a non-alcoholic option. Or, use a non-alcoholic dark stout.
Farro - Farro is an ancient grain that you can find usually next to the rice at the grocery store. It's a thicker, heartier grain and adds some nice chew and texture to the chili.
Veggies - This chili has tons of veggies, including onions, garlic, potatoes, and sweet bell peppers.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
Detailed instructions are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics of how to cook this farro chili.
- Cook the farro according to package directions
- Cook the bacon. Then add the onions, garlic, potatoes, peppers and sauté. Be sure to stir the veggies frequently to avoid burning the garlic and also to be sure the ingredients don't get stuck to the pan.
- Add the turkey meat and cook for about 3-4 minutes, just until it's browned.
- Add the black beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices (chili powder through black pepper) and stir all ingredients well together.
- Pour in the stout and water, then stir to combine all ingredients.
- Add the cooked farro.
- Lower hear and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Serve with your choice of toppings.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
You can substitute beef broth, a non-alcoholic stout beer, or even coffee.
Allow the chili to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Yes! You can store chili in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag in the freezer for up to one month.
🍽 Serving ideas
This hearty turkey chili is delicious served with a side of bread to soak up those delicious chili flavors. Try Air Fryer Biscuits, Garlic Parmesan Knots, Guinness Brown Bread, Garlic Rosemary Focaccia, or Pandesal.
You could also serve this chili with Instant Pot Broccoli or a side of asparagus.
⏲ Kitchen tools
Ready to make this recipe? You'll just need a few kitchen tools.
Dutch oven - I make this turkey chili in either a 4-quart Dutch oven or a 6-quart Dutch oven.
Meat chopper - I use this ground meat chopper and turner, which really helps break down the ground turkey.
Ladle - a metal ladle or silicone ladle
Cutting board and knife - You'll need a cutting board and sharp knife to chop the veggies. Or, you can use this Vegetable Chopper.
More comfort food recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Dutch Oven Turkey Chili with Stout and Farro
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken broth (approximately 1 14.5-ounce can)
- 1 cup farro
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 slices bacon, chopped into ½" pieces
- ½ small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup finely chopped bell peppers
- 1 medium baking potato, diced into little cubes
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 can (14 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (14 oz) diced or stewed tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup coffee stout or any stout beer you like
- 1 cup water
- OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, tortilla chips
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil, then add the farro. Reduce to simmer and cook farro according to package instructions (should be done anywhere from 20-30 minutes, depending on the farro you purchased).
- Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven or a large stockpot over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add the bacon and cook until just cooked, about 3 minutes, stirring so the bacon cooks evenly and doesn't stick to the pot.
- Add the onions, garlic, potatoes, peppers and sauté for about two minutes. Be sure to stir the veggies frequently to avoid burning the garlic and also to be sure the ingredients don't get stuck to the pan.
- Add the turkey meat and cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring to break up the meat. Cook the meat just until it's browned.
- Add the black beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices (chili powder through black pepper) and stir all ingredients well together.
- Add the stout and one cup of water, then stir to combine all ingredients.
- Add the cooked farro.
- Lower the heat to low-medium heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, then serve with your choice of toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
Jessica says
This chili sound very delicious! I hate chopping onions, so I hardly put onions in anything. That veggie chopper would really come in handy!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Jessica! It really is a great tool to make quick work of onions!
Elaine says
What a great hearty meal!! I love the addition of the Farro...I would have never thought of that! :-)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Elaine! The farro really does make it even more hearty and delicious - extra comfort in this comfort food :)
Tiffany B says
I love the fact that this is a 45 min recipe! I love chili but I've only ever made it in the slow cooker. It's a must I'm my household, especially for my HS aged son. I'm sure he will love this recipe with all the veges it.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
I love chili in the slow cooker too!
Rosie from Blog To Taste says
Well again, this recipe is right up my alley. I have worked on perfecting my favorite chili recipe for the past few years (yes, it deserves a post about it). My favorite ingredients are cocoa, stout and sometime a little coffee or bourbon. Perfect for that drizzly weather we've been having.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Ooh I like your fave ingredients for chili. Sounds so tasty! Thanks, Rosie!!
Lauren says
I need to find a gluten free stout stat because my husband would LOVE this!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
My fave GF beer is Omission... I wonder if they make a stout? It's amazing beer! Thanks, Lauren!
Kari says
I love making a big batch of chili to have during the week. I'll have to give this one a try!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Chili is so great to make ahead as a dish that you can enjoy some now and freeze some for later, isn't it? Love that about it! Thanks, Kari!
Mama Munchkin (@globalmunchkins) says
Yum!! I love comfort food and we are all chili lovers in our home so we will definitely have to give this a try. I have not cooked with a coffee stout but I actually love stout beers so I can bet this one would be right up my alley. I mean my fav beer + coffee. You can't go wrong with that :) Have a great weekend!!!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Ooh if you love stout beers, I think you will really like this one then! Thanks so much!
Pech says
I love my chopper too, especially for onions because there always seem to be a need for chopped onions and they are so annoying and boring to cut by hand while the chopper makes short work of them!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
It really is great for onions. Thanks, Pech!
candy says
Turkey chili sounds really tasty for this weekend. Never tried making it with stout. Should be great.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
It's a great weekend dish to make! Thank you, Candy!
Kim Beaulieu says
This looks absolutely amazing. This recipe has my name all over it, all my favourite things in one recipe. Plus it's just as pretty as a picture.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks so much, Kim!
Sara says
This sounds awesome, I love that you added farro - I've never had that in chili before but I can see how it would work!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
I really do love farro in chili these days! Thanks, Sara!
Monica Louie says
That looks sooooo delicious! I haven't cooked with stout beer before, but that's my husband's favorite type of beer. I love that this recipe calls for BACON because who doesn't love bacon?
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Anything that starts out with bacon is good in my book ;) Thanks so much, Monica!