This easy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is chock-full of ground turkey, onions, bell peppers, garlic, red kidney beans, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices. It’s thick, hearty, and packed with flavor!
Take a few minutes in the morning to get everything into the slow cooker, and then let it cook low and slow all day while you get other stuff done. At dinnertime, this delicious chili will be waiting for you!
So, the day before yesterday, we totally got teased with some nearly 60-degree weather…which means that it’s just about time to make some maple syrup!
David tapped the trees and hung the buckets, and we both worked at packing the sap barrels with snow. I was out there in shorts, boots, and a winter jacket and was very comfortable.
But, yesterday and today, we’re right back down into the 20s with lots of wind. Ugh.
What does all this have to do with Crockpot turkey chili, you might ask?
Well, one, when it’s maple syrup time, I don’t want to think too much about making dinner, so I’m into super easy recipes that I don’t have to fuss with. Check!
Two, I still want dinner to be delicious. Check!
And three, as Austin Powers would say, it’s frickin’ freezing Mr. Bigglesworth, and I want cozy, comforting, and something that will warm me up. Check!
Ingredients you need:
- Olive oil
- Ground turkey (preferably 85/15)
- Onion
- Green bell pepper
- Garlic
- Tomato sauce
- Fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- Diced tomatoes with green chiles
- Dark red kidney beans
- Black beans
- Corn
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Ground coriander
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Chicken broth
- Toppings of your choice (such as cheese, green onions, sour cream, cilantro, and con chips)
Special Equipment Needed:
- Slow cooker (4-quart or larger)
Here’s a look at how to make Slow Cooker Turkey Chili:
Tips & Tidbits:
- Try to get 85/15 ground turkey if you can. It has a higher fat content and will not dry out as easily as leaner turkey.
- Ground beef can be used instead of turkey.
- I love the color and sweetness of the corn, but if you prefer chili without corn, just leave it out.
- This chili is not overly hot-spicy, but it’s got a generous amount of spices for lots of flavor, which is how we like it and how I think chili should be. But feel free to adjust any of the spices to suit your own personal tastes.
- If you want more heat, you can add some cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or your favorite hot sauce.
- When I use the slow cooker, I prefer the low setting. The high setting can often be too hot and end up overcooking things. That being said, if you’re a little short on time, you can cook this on high for 3 hours.
- This chili is really good the day you make it, and it’s even better the next day!
- It’s very filling and can serve 4 to 6 people depending on appetites, toppings, and any side dishes you might be serving with it.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator or up to 3 to 4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator, then reheat.
Take this chili over the top by adding your favorite toppings. Ours are shredded cheese, green onions, sour cream, and corn chips. And there’s also chopped tomatoes, avocado, jalapenos, a squeeze of lime juice, cilantro…
In addition to the toppings, this turkey chili is excellent served with some of my Easy Homemade Cornbread Muffins or even some Homemade Garlic Bread.
I hope you try this Slow Cooker Turkey Chili recipe and love it as much as I do. Thanks for visiting today!
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Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey, preferably 85/15
- 2 cups chopped onions, about ¼-inch pieces
- 2 cups chopped green bell peppers, about ¼-inch pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels, I use frozen
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1½ tablespoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup chicken broth
- toppings of your choice, such as cheese, green onions, sour cream, and corn chips (optional but highly recommended)
Special Equipment
- 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker
Instructions
- In a large skillet (I use a 12"), heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and season with salt and pepper; cook, stirring frequently and breaking the meat up into small pieces as you go, until it is no longer pink, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add the onions and bell peppers; cook, stirring frequently, until they begin to soften, about 4 minutes.
- Add the garlic; cook, stirring constantly, for another minute.
- Transfer the turkey mixture to a 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker.
- Add the tomato sauce, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chiles, dark red kidney beans, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, pepper, and chicken broth; stir to combine.
- Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 hours.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed. Serve with your favorite toppings; Enjoy!
Notes
- Ground beef can be used instead of turkey.
- This chili is not overly hot-spicy, but it’s got a generous amount of spices for lots of flavor. Feel free to adjust any of the spices to suit your own personal tastes.
- If you want more heat, you can add some cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or your favorite hot sauce.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator or up to 3 to 4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator, then reheat.
- Estimated calories shown are for 4 servings of about 1½ cups each and does not include any toppings. For 6 servings of about 1 cup each, estimated calories are 451 per serving.
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