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Hearty Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe

Hearty Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe


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4.8 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty slow cooker turkey chili delivers comfort in a bowl, blending lean protein with robust spices. Packed with vegetables and rich flavors, this simple one-pot meal satisfies you when winter’s chill demands warmth.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 pound ground turkey

Beans:

  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed

Vegetables and Base:

  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped

Spices:

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Liquids and Oils:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and thoroughly brown ground turkey over medium-high heat, ensuring no pink remains.
  2. Incorporate diced onions, minced garlic, and chopped bell peppers into the skillet, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and tender.
  3. Transfer the aromatic turkey and vegetable mixture to the slow cooker, spreading evenly across the bottom.
  4. Pour in kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth, creating a rich liquid base.
  5. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper across the surface, gently stirring to distribute seasonings throughout the mixture.
  6. Cover slow cooker and set to low temperature, allowing chili to simmer and develop deep flavors for 6-7 hours.
  7. Thirty minutes before serving, taste and fine-tune seasoning with additional spices or salt as needed.
  8. Ladle the hearty chili into bowls, ensuring each serving contains a balanced mix of turkey, beans, and robust sauce.

Notes

  • Use lean ground turkey to keep the chili healthier and reduce excess fat.
  • Sautéing vegetables before adding to the slow cooker enhances their flavor and develops a deeper taste profile.
  • For a vegetarian version, swap ground turkey with plant-based protein crumbles or extra beans for a hearty alternative.
  • Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder, cumin, and adding optional cayenne pepper for heat seekers.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 3 hours (on High)
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 280 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 520 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 7 g
  • Protein: 26 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg