The $2.69 Trader Joe’s Find That Tastes Homemade

If you were to ask me who my dad is, I would immediately run down the laundry list of ingredients that make up the man who is the senior to my junior — or second, as he emphatically asserts. He’s a front-end developer and software engineer, a weaver of words with two novels and multiple children's books to his credit, an artist through and through.

If you were to ask him directly, though, he’d probably tell you he's a chili cook-off champion. Although he’s never won an award for his one-pot wonder, he’s petitioned for us to have a Bivins’ family chili cook-off for years and maintains the stance that he’d win by a landslide. Not to toot my own horn, but he’s got no chance (sorry, Dad!).

Like any good bowl of chili, my dad is layered and complex, full of hearty ingredients that nurture and soothe the soul. He’s got a little spice and a depth that makes you wonder, “What is that?” The good news is, I’ve got a secret recipe of my very own and, with a few sneaky upgrades, you won’t even know it’s not homemade.

Enter: Trader Joe’s Turkey Chili with Beans. That’s right, friends — when I’m not in the mood to make a several-ingredient pot of chili from scratch, this $2.69 pantry staple is my go-to for a quick and easy meal that tastes almost as good as the real deal.

Why I Love Trader Joe’s Turkey Chili With Beans

Making its highly anticipated return after a brief hiatus, this homestyle chili features meaty chunks of lean ground turkey breast, juicy crushed tomatoes, tender red beans, and classic chili spices like garlic powder, cumin, and oregano. Fiery jalapeños and diced green chiles bring a little extra kick to the party while a tiny bit of sugar rounds everything out. With this time-saving pantry sidekick on hand, you can have dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes flat.

To serve, I like to dress things up with a sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, thinly sliced serranos for an extra hit of spice, and my favorite Parmesan-crusted croutons. I’ve even been known to slather it onto hot dogs or layer it on top of sheet pan nachos — the options are virtually endless.

In essence, this chunky canned marvel meets the perfect balance between being easy and affordable, yet delicious enough to win the Bivins’ family chili cook-off. Just don’t let my dad know I took a shortcut.

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