This recipe was carefully recreated from my childhood memories. Turkey chili cheese fries! The ultimate Appetizer, or snack and probably even dinner!
Growing up in Detroit, my parents used to own a Coney Island. When I tell people that are from NY that, they look puzzled most of the time. “Wow your family owned an amusement park?” Is the usual response. So I explain what a Coney Island actually is and how I’m from Detroit. What pizzerias are to New York, Coney islands are to Detroit. There’s one on every corner!
They are basically fast food restaurants but they are especially famous for their coney dogs. Which are essentially hot dogs top with famous Detroit style chili. However, my absolute favorite was and still is, the chili cheese fries!
Being that I don’t eat any red meat or pork, I recreated this version with ground turkey meat and oh my goodness. It is delicious and just as good!
How to make turkey chili cheese fries
- In a heavy bottomed saucepan or casserole skillet, add 2 tbsp of butter and 2 tbsp of oil. Once the butter melts, add your ground turkey meat. Cook until browned. Then add some grated onion, garlic, tomato paste, mustard, brown sugar and Worcestershire.
- Add 2 cups of water and bring it to a simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Once it summers, add in cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, crushed red pepper and salt. Cook for 25 minutes on low. Most of the water will absorbed.
- Transfer the mixture to a blender and pulse for about 10 seconds.
- Transfer it back to the stove and cook it for another 5 minutes. Turn the heat off and add some white vinegar for acidity.
- Turn your oven on to a broiler setting and add then scatter the chili over your fries. Add shredded cheddar cheese on top and broil for 8-10 minutes. Top with chopped scallions and serve immediately.
This recipe is a perfect appetizer that serves 4 people.
Turkey Chili Cheese Fries
Equipment
- 12 inch casserole skillet or heavy bottomed saucepan
- Wooden spatula
- Sheet Pan
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1 lb french fires
- 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp butter unsalted
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 16 oz ground turkey meat
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- 1 small onion grated
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp worcestershire
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp brown sugar dark brown
- 2¼ cups water
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp vinegar white or ACV
Instructions
- While you make the turkey chili, bake your fries in the oven according to the instructions on the bag. Spread them out on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
- In a casserole skillet or a heavy bottomed saucepan, melt down the butter and add the oil until blended together on low-med heat. Add in the ground turkey meat and break it up with a wooden spatula. Cook the meat until browned. Next, add in the grated onion, tomato paste, garlic, worcestershire, mustard and brown sugar. Continue to cook the mixture on low-med heat for 1-2 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally.
- Next, add in the water and simmer it for about 20-25 minutes.
- Once the mixture has simmered and most of the water is reduced, add in your spices. Chili powder, cumin, garlic, crushed red pepper and salt. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a blender and pulse for 10 seconds. Be careful, the mixture will be very HOT. Transfer it back to the saucepan and cook for another 5 minutes. Turn the heat off and add in 2 tsp of vinegar. Stir to combine.
- Once your fries are done, set your oven to broil. Pour the chili over the fries and top with shredded cheddar. Broil for 6-8 minutes until the cheese is all melted. Top with chopped scallion. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can buy or make your own fries and fry them instead of using store bought.
- If you prefer to use ground chicken instead, or even beef, that will also be great with this recipe.
- You can use whatever melty cheese you have on hand. Colby jack works well too!
- Sweet potato fries are also delicious and a healthier version.
- This chili is slightly spicy, but you can omit the crushed red pepper.
