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Home » Copycat Recipes » Panera Turkey Chili Recipe (copycat)

Panera Turkey Chili Recipe (copycat)

Published: Nov 17, 2020 · Modified: Mar 16, 2021 by Sally 34 Comments

2383 shares

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Panera turkey chili recipe is a fabulous copycat of the beloved original. Such a delicious soup that's so easy to make at home.

Panera Turkey Chili Recipe copycat in bowl

I love the flavors, the colors, and the heartiness of this soup. It calls for ground turkey, but you can certainly substitute ground beef if that's what you have (instructions for both to follow).

Ground turkey is chosen for its lower fat content, and it has a delightfully different flavor as well.

If you choose to use leftover cooked turkey, I include instructions for that as well (in case you want to make it in the days following Thanksgiving).

As you may already know, I'm pretty fond of copycat recipes and love to replicate my own version at home. I typically shoot for "better than," but you can be the judge of that.

If you're not familiar with Panera Bread restaurant, not to worry. Suffice it to say that this recipe is a hearty, flavorful, colorful chili that's fairly mild in the spicy department.

The beauty of this chili is that you can spice it up or down based on your family's preference.

Chili with beans in bowl

What You'll Need

2 Tablespoons oil

1 pound ground turkey

1 medium onion

1 jalapeno

12 ounces tomato paste

1 can kidney beans

1 can garbanzo beans

1 cup frozen edamame

1 small carrot

½ cup corn

4 cups beef stock

1 teaspoon dry oregano

½ teaspoon cayenne

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 Tablespoon cumin

Making Panera Chili with turkey and beans

How to Make Turkey Chili

Preheat Dutch oven on medium heat on stove top. If don't have a Dutch oven, any heavy large pot will do. I really love to use my Dutch oven and wouldn't want to be without it. It heats so evenly and is wonderful to cook with!

Once your pot is nice and hot (about 5 minutes should do), you will then add your oil of choice (I typically use olive or coconut oil, but the oil you use is up to you).

Note: If using ground beef in place of the turkey, you will not need oil in the pan.

Next, you will add the ground turkey (or ground beef), onion, and jalapeno and cook 15 minutes, chopping and stirring often.

You will be cooking until the meat is browned and the veggies are softened and a bit translucent. If using ground beef, the time to remove any excess fat in the pan is now before adding the rest of the ingredients.

Once the meat is browned and the veggies softened, you will add the drained beans, frozen shelled edamame (no need to thaw), corn, carrot, beef broth, tomato paste oregano, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, cumin, black pepper, and salt.

Note: If you don't have fresh or frozen corn, you can use drained canned corn.

Bring the mixture to a boil on medium-high heat, all the while mashing and stirring in the paste to break it up.

Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook 45 minutes. Check periodically to stir and make sure it's not boiling too hard. You want a strong simmer not a rolling boil that might bubble over.

Stir and taste. Add more salt if needed. Serve hot with biscuits, corn bread, or other bread of choice and side salad.

Turkey Chili Panera Bread copycat recipe in bowl

Tips & FAQs

Can I use ground beef in place of the ground turkey?

Absolutely! Ground turkey sticks to the original recipe, but you can use ground beef as a substitute.

Due to the lower fat content of ground turkey, you'll want to select a leaner ground beef if possible. Otherwise, you'll want to make sure to remove most of the fat after browning the ground beef.

If using lean ground beef, you will likely not need to add any oil (and, as above, you make need to remove some of it after browning).

If you have more than 2 Tablespoons of fat in the pan after cooking the ground beef, it's best to remove the excess before continuing with the recipe.

Can I use leftover turkey instead of ground turkey in this chili recipe?

Yes, you certainly can! If you want to use leftover turkey, simply add 2 cups of pre-cooked turkey in step 3 after cooking the onion and jalapeno.

What if I don't have fresh or frozen corn? Can I use canned?

Yes, you can certainly use canned corn. Just make sure to drain it before adding to the rest of the ingredients.

If I don't have beef broth, can I use chicken?

You may substitute chicken broth or stock for the beef broth if that's what you have.

I have substituted chicken broth many times for beef in recipes, and it turns out fabulous with only a slight difference in taste (that's hardly noticeable).

My family doesn't like spicy chili. Do I have to use the cayenne pepper?

If you don't want any spice at all in your chili, you may certainly omit the cayenne pepper. Or you can reduce the amount to ¼ teaspoon.

If you're unsure, you can make the recipe without the cayenne and then add a bit at the end if desired. Keep in mind that seasonings like cayenne and chili powder tend to get stronger as they cook.

What can I serve with Panera turkey chili?

I recommend serving with a side of bread of your choice and a salad. My favorite breads are cornbread, biscuits, and cheese toast, and I have a recipe for each of these.

My family and I love this Panera turkey chili recipe. Please let me know what you think in the comments below. What meat did you use - ground turkey or beef? Any other alterations?

Southern Cornbread

Cheese Toast Recipe

Cheddar Biscuits

Southern Butter Biscuits

Some salads that go nicely with this turkey chili:

Strawberry Spinach Salad with lemon poppyseed dressing

Mediterranean Cucumber Salad with lemon dressing

Shaved Brussel Sprouts Salad with creamy honey lime dressing

Simple Mediterranean Salad with lime vinaigrette

Other Copycat Recipes to love:

Spicy Thai Panera Chicken Salad

Texas Roadhouse Green Beans with Bacon

Panda Express Fried Rice

Panera Turkey Chili Recipe copycat in bowl
Print Recipe
4.76 from 61 votes

Panera Turkey Chili Recipe (copycat)

This Panera turkey chili recipe is a fabulous copycat of the beloved original. Such a delicious soup that's so easy to make at home.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time1 hr
Total Time1 hr 10 mins
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, Southern
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 373kcal
Author: Savory With Soul

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 medium onion , chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 1 jalapeno , deseeded and finely chopped
  • 12 ounces tomato paste
  • 15.5 ounces canned kidney beans , drained and rinsed
  • 15.5 ounces canned garbanzo beans , drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup edamame , frozen
  • ¾ cup carrot , chopped (1 small)
  • ½ cup corn , fresh or frozen
  • 4 cups beef broth or stock
  • 1 teaspoon oregano , dry
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt more to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat Dutch oven on medium heat on stove top.
  • Add oil, turkey, onion, and jalapeno and cook 15 minutes chopping and stirring often.
  • Add rest of the ingredients and mix together.
  • Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook 45 minutes.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 1682mg | Potassium: 1423mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 3702IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 6mg

Don't Forget to Pin for Later!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather Curl

    February 01, 2021 at 1:35 am

    Is a serving 1 cup??? I made this but am trying to figure out points for weight watchers

    Reply
    • Sally

      February 02, 2021 at 12:18 am

      Thanks for your question, Heather. I think a serving is more like 2 cups or what would be a normal bowl full. It's not exact, though. My apologies for not having a more accurate answer for you.

      Reply
  2. Lisa

    August 22, 2021 at 1:40 am

    5 stars
    Panera has discontinued this dish (which is such a mistake) so we googled a copycat and found your AMAZING recipe!! Thank you for this. We LOVE it!!! It's not only fresher than Panera but much more affordable.

    Reply
    • Sally

      August 22, 2021 at 7:15 pm

      Awesome Lisa! So happy to hear that you love it! I also was saddened that they discontinued it, but we'll just make it at home, right? Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
  3. Kellye Stevenson

    November 06, 2021 at 5:10 am

    5 stars
    I live in Texas, and Panera still serves this turkey chili here! I had it for lunch today. I also enjoy your copy cat recipe, I am making it for dinner tomorrow!

    Reply
    • Sally

      November 10, 2021 at 3:34 am

      Awesome Kellye! Thanks for sharing with me!

      Reply
  4. Diane

    November 07, 2021 at 11:19 pm

    5 stars
    This is the BEST chili I have ever made. It is not heavy like most traditional chili and I love that I get all the colorful vegetables as well as my protein. It is also pretty low calorie compared to others. My whole family of picky eaters love it.

    Reply
    • Sally

      November 10, 2021 at 3:35 am

      I'm so happy to hear this, Diane! We love it too!

      Reply
  5. Caroline

    December 02, 2021 at 10:16 pm

    5 stars
    This is amazing! I sort of mistakenly only put half the tomato paste in (6oz) and it still turned out great.

    Reply
    • Sally

      December 02, 2021 at 10:48 pm

      Thanks for letting me know, Caroline!

      Reply
  6. Stephanie

    January 05, 2022 at 7:50 pm

    5 stars
    This turned out so yummy!!!! Made it alongside your cornbread. First time making cornbread from scratch 🙂

    Reply
    • Sally

      January 05, 2022 at 9:54 pm

      Glad you liked it, Stephanie! And cornbread makes it complete!

      Reply
  7. Marie

    January 16, 2022 at 7:43 pm

    Can you freeze it?

    Reply
    • Sally

      January 16, 2022 at 11:00 pm

      Should freeze nicely, Marie!

      Reply
  8. Kim

    January 24, 2022 at 12:50 am

    Can you put it in a crockpot after you cook the meat?

    Reply
    • Sally

      January 24, 2022 at 3:26 am

      That should work, Kim - I just haven't tried it. Let me know how yours turns out!

      Reply
  9. Karen

    January 29, 2022 at 2:34 am

    5 stars
    Excellent is all I can say!

    Reply
    • Sally

      January 29, 2022 at 8:17 pm

      So glad you liked it, Karen! Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
      • Amy

        February 13, 2022 at 4:15 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you for this recipe!`If I order this from Panera in the evening at work, it's really bottom of the pot skimpy on ingredients. That never happens with your recipe.

        Reply
        • Sally

          February 14, 2022 at 1:43 am

          Yeah, Amy, you can't go wrong with making your own at home! Thanks for commenting!

          Reply
          • Michael

            January 29, 2023 at 10:13 pm

            5 stars
            I forgot to 5 Star! Excelent!

          • Sally

            January 30, 2023 at 6:50 am

            Thank you, Michael!

  10. Linda

    September 11, 2022 at 12:27 am

    Can you cook this recipe in a crockpot?
    Do you chop up the jalapeño?
    Thanks, Linda

    Reply
  11. Bobbie Ly

    December 15, 2022 at 4:15 am

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness. Spot on!!!! Just enough heat. Made it for a family who just had a baby and they both loved it too. I shared the recipe. Will be making again, and again, and again!

    Reply
    • Sally

      January 09, 2023 at 1:11 am

      That's awesome, Bobbie! Thank you so much for letting me know!

      Reply
  12. Kate

    January 14, 2023 at 10:44 pm

    5 stars
    Really excited to try this. Do you recommend beef broth? Or would veg broth or chicken broth be better? I’m weird about mixing proteins but seems like the reviews speak to how good this recipe is. 🙂

    Reply
    • Sally

      January 20, 2023 at 8:15 pm

      Kate - Beef stock is going to be more flavorful, but you could certainly use chicken or vegetable stock instead. I regularly interchange my stocks depending on what I have on hand.

      Reply
  13. Diana

    January 23, 2023 at 1:18 am

    5 stars
    I was suspecting that it actually uses lima beans instead of edamame. Thoughts?

    Reply
    • Sally

      January 23, 2023 at 1:25 am

      Diana - They definitely use edamame. You can buy them frozen (that's what I used). You could certainly substitute limas if you wish. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  14. Matt

    January 27, 2023 at 10:56 pm

    5 stars
    This is an amazing recipe… So good!

    Reply
    • Sally

      January 29, 2023 at 6:50 pm

      So glad you liked it, Matt!

      Reply
  15. Michael

    January 29, 2023 at 10:08 pm

    This is fabulous! For meal prep, this freezes beautifully for days ahead. And as a healthy option, this will definitely be a "go to" for me. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  16. Donette

    February 13, 2023 at 10:13 pm

    5 stars
    Excelent! Just made this and had to post a comment. It tasted just like the turkey chili at Panera Bread.

    Reply
    • Sally

      February 21, 2023 at 12:37 am

      Thanks for letting me know, Donette!

      Reply

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Sally from Savory With Soul

I'm Sally, and I love great food! Whole foods, specifically, and savory, yummy eats! I love using spices and trying new combinations - in fact, I consider it an art form, as I smell and taste my ...

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