Goop Chili Recipe (Brain Healthy, High-Protein, Fiber-Packed)
Author
Jess Emin
A food photographer, food stylist, and food TV host whose life revolves around food.
This Goop chili recipe started as a bit of curiosity. When I saw that Andrew Huberman (a nureoscientist) collaborated with Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop Kitchen on a viral “brain-healthy chili,” my brain immediately went to: what does that actually taste like? And hey, it’s got lean protein, fiber, and no flashy gimmicks. In the end, it’s just real food that’s meant to support your body and still feel comforting. So this is my take on it. A very approachable, very home-cook-friendly ground turkey chili recipe that focuses on brain health, and balance.
You get plenty of protein from ground turkey. There’s lots of fiber from beans and vegetables. The spice adds interest without making it feel like “punishment food.” And if you want to check out what Huberman says about it specifically, here’s a video about that.
It’s nourishing, simple, and genuinely delicious — which is the only way a healthy chili should be.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 156 ml tomato paste
- 2 796 ml cans of crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 540 ml can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 540 ml can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp chipotle powder
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp ancho chili powder
- 1 tbsp Aleppo pepper
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 3 tbsp oregano
Toppings
- Pickled jalapeños
- Feta
- Cilantro
- Avocado
Instructions:
- Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the ground turkey, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper.
- Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Transfer the cooked turkey to a bowl and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Add the diced onion and celery to the same pot.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste to the vegetables.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it darkens slightly and coats the vegetables. This step deepens the flavor.
- Add the chili powder, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, ancho chili powder, Aleppo pepper, onion powder, and oregano.
- Stir well and cook for 1–2 minutes until the spices are aromatic.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, broth, red kidney beans, white kidney beans, diced red pepper, and the cooked ground turkey back into the pot.
- Stir to combine.
- Bring the chili to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat to low, partially cover, and let simmer for at least 45 minutes, stirring occasionally..
- The vegetables should be tender and the flavors fully developed
- Taste the chili and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot.
- Top with pickled jalapeños, feta, cilantro, and avocado as desired.
What Makes This Goop Chili Recipe Different
A lot of chili recipes lean heavy on one thing: either meat, beans, or spice. This one is intentionally balanced.
This ground turkey chili is built around:
- Lean protein (turkey)
- Fiber-rich beans
- Tomatoes for body and acidity
- A layered spice blend for depth, not heat overload
There’s no unnecessary thickening, no hidden sugars, and no marathon ingredient list. Everything in the pot has a job to do.
It’s the kind of chili you can eat a big bowl of and still feel good about — physically and mentally.
Why Ground Turkey Works So Well In This Goop Chili Recipe
Using ground turkey keeps this chili lighter than a traditional beef version, but still hearty. Turkey takes on spice really well, especially when you season it early and brown it properly over medium-high heat.
Because turkey is lean, it benefits from:
- Tomatoes for moisture
- Beans for texture
- A long, gentle simmer to let flavors marry
You end up with a chili that’s rich without being heavy — something you can eat multiple days in a row without fatigue.
Fiber Is the Quiet Hero
This chili doesn’t scream “fiber,” but it delivers. Between the red kidney beans, white kidney beans, celery, onion, and red pepper, you’re getting a steady mix of soluble and insoluble fiber that actually feels good to eat.
That’s intentional.
Too many “healthy” recipes overdo beans or add starchy fillers. This chili keeps the ratio balanced so it’s satisfying without feeling overly beany or dense.
Goop Chili Recipe: Let’s Talk Spice
The spice blend here is doing a lot of the work. Chili powder, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, ancho chili powder, Aleppo pepper, onion powder, and oregano give this chili layers of flavor instead of a single note of heat.
This is a spice-forward chili, not a spicy chili.
Smoked paprika adds warmth. Chipotle brings subtle smokiness.
Ancho chili rounds everything out. Aleppo pepper adds gentle heat without sharpness. Together, they create a chili that tastes complex without needing extra ingredients.
Tomatoes, Paste, and Time
Tomato paste gets cooked down early to deepen flavor before the crushed tomatoes and broth go in. This step is small, but important. It removes raw tomato taste and gives the chili body.
Once everything is in the pot, time does the rest. A steady simmer lets the vegetables soften, the spices bloom, and the turkey absorb all that flavor. That’s what makes this Goop chili recipe so dleicious
This is not a rush job — but it’s also not complicated.
Tips & Tricks for Great Turkey Chili
- Brown the turkey well. Color = flavor.
- Season early. Salt and pepper go on the meat first so the turkey is flavorful on its own.
- Cook the paste. Tomato paste needs a few minutes of heat to shine.
- Don’t rush the simmer. The full 45 minutes matters.
- Taste at the end. Chili always improves with a final adjustment.
Make It Work for Your Life
This turkey chili is naturally gluten free and stores and freezes beautifully. It’s perfect for:
- Meal prep
- Feeding a crowd
- Stocking the freezer
- Easy lunches
Serve it as is, or top it with pickled jalapeños, feta, cilantro, or avocado for texture and contrast. You can keep it simple or customize each bowl.
Final Thoughts
This Goop turkey chili recipe is a great example of how healthy food doesn’t have to be complicated or boring. It’s balanced, filling, and built from simple ingredients that work together. Whether you’re making it for a week of meals or a big pot to share, it’s the kind of chili that quietly makes you feel good — and that’s always the goal.
Other Recipes You Will Love!
White Bean Chicken Chili : A Comfort Food Recipe
Veggie Chili Recipe: A Flavor-Packed Meatless Delight
White Chicken Chili Recipe (Stove Top + Slow Cooker)
Jess Emin
Every aspect of Jessica Emin’s personal and professional life revolves around food; she’s a food photographer, a food stylist, a sommelier and has hosted two food TV series. Jess credits all the people she’s met along her culinary journey for her confidence in the kitchen–she’s picked up tips, tricks and technique from hundreds of pros–from working pie dough at the age of ten with her mom, to shucking tutorials with oyster farmers, to foraging with chefs to find perfect mushrooms, and watching chefs in Canada’s best restaurants. She lives and breathes the East coast, and its incredible food offerings.
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This is a keeper. Made it for my daughter meal prep and she loved it, and it meets her healthy eating goals. Will go into the rotation for sure.
Love that, Gayle! This is a favorite around the East Coast Kitchen!
Excellent recipe to keep in the fridge and freezer for quick meals. I add carrots.
I love freezer meals too, Jim! Love the addition of carrots here.