The Best Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe for Cozy Evenings

Crafting a hearty slow cooker turkey chili can turn an ordinary evening into a comforting culinary adventure.

Warm spices and tender meat create a robust flavor profile that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

chili enthusiasts appreciate how simple ingredients combine to make something extraordinary.

Lean ground turkey brings a healthier twist to this classic comfort dish.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of protein, vegetables, and rich seasonings.

Minimal prep work means you can assemble this meal quickly and let your slow cooker do the magic.

You’ll want to savor every spoonful of this satisfying meal that brings warmth and joy to the table.

What Makes Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Convenient

• Simplify Meal Prep: Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic, transforming basic components into a hearty, satisfying meal with minimal hands-on cooking.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: This turkey chili delivers rich, warming flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, making it a go-to dish for family dinners or casual gatherings.
• Nutritious and Lean: Packed with protein from ground turkey and fiber-rich beans, this chili offers a healthier alternative to traditional beef chili without sacrificing taste or satisfaction.
• Versatile Serving Options: Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro, or serve over rice, making it adaptable to different preferences and meal styles.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

• Ground Turkey: Lean meat that provides the main protein for the chili.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide a foundational flavor profile and aromatic base for the chili.

• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Create a rich, tangy sauce that forms the base of the chili.
• Beans: Add texture, additional protein, and bulk to the dish.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing the overall taste of the chili.

How to Prepare Turkey Chili in a Crockpot

Step 1: Brown The Ground Turkey

Grab a skillet and heat it over medium flame. Crumble the ground turkey into the pan, cooking until it transforms from pink to a rich, golden brown color.

Break up the meat with a wooden spoon to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic into the same skillet.

Let them dance and sizzle, becoming translucent and releasing their delightful fragrance. The vegetables will soften and develop a sweet, mellow flavor.

Step 3: Transfer To Slow Cooker

Carefully slide the turkey and vegetable mixture into your slow cooker. Make sure to scrape every last bit of flavor from the skillet.

Step 4: Add Chili Ingredients

• Kidney beans
• Black beans
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Chicken broth
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Oregano

Step 5: Slow Cook To Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and let the chili simmer. If using low setting, cook for 6-8 hours.

If using high setting, cook for 3-4 hours. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors will meld together.

Step 6: Final Seasoning And Serve

Taste the chili and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir well and ladle into bowls.

Top with optional garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.

Tips for Seasoning and Texture Success

• Drain excess fat from ground turkey after browning to reduce greasiness and improve overall chili texture.
• Use fresh garlic instead of pre-minced for more vibrant flavor and aromatic depth in the dish.
• Enhance protein content by adding optional kidney or black beans for extra nutrition and heartiness.
• Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing chili powder and cumin according to personal heat preference.
• Top with fresh garnishes like cilantro, sour cream, or shredded cheese to elevate presentation and add complementary flavors.

Flavor Variations to Try in Turkey Chili

• Vegetarian Chili Swap: Replace ground turkey with plant-based crumbles or diced firm tofu for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Beef Lover's Alternative: Substitute ground turkey with lean ground beef for a classic hearty chili experience.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add diced green chilies, increase chili powder, and top with jalapeños for a fiery kick.
• Low-Carb Protein Bowl: Skip beans and increase meat quantity, serving over cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly adaptation.

Serving Ideas for Slow Cooker Meals

• Hearty Game Day Feast: Serve this chili in large, rustic bread bowls for a crowd-pleasing football watch party spread. Guests can scoop out the chili and enjoy the bread's delicious soaking.
• Tex-Mex Style Topping Bar: Set up a colorful toppings station with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced jalapeños, and crispy tortilla strips. Everyone can customize their bowl with favorite garnishes.
• Comfort Meal Companion: Pair the chili with warm cornbread or fluffy buttermilk biscuits for a classic comfort food combination. The bread's soft texture perfectly complements the hearty chili's robust flavors.

Storage Advice for Turkey Chili

• Refrigerate leftover turkey chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
• Store chili in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring it's sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn and preserving flavor for up to 4 months.
• Reheat refrigerated chili in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until heated thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F, or warm gently in a saucepan on the stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent sticking.

FAQs

• Is ground turkey healthier than ground beef?

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in calories compared to ground beef, making it a healthier protein option for chili that reduces overall fat content without compromising flavor.

• Can I use dried beans instead of canned beans?

Yes, but you’ll need to pre-soak dried beans overnight and increase cooking liquid. Typically, use 3 cups of dried beans that have been soaked and drained in place of canned beans.

• How can I make this chili spicier?

Add diced jalapeños, increase chili powder, include red pepper flakes, or incorporate hot sauce directly into the slow cooker mixture to boost heat levels according to your preference.

Simple Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty slow cooker turkey chili brings comfort and warmth to winter meals. Rich flavors meld together, creating a satisfying one-pot dinner you’ll crave during cold nights.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground turkey

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Beans and Tomatoes:

• 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Sear ground turkey in a skillet over medium-high heat until completely browned and no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
2. Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic into the skillet, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Carefully transfer the seasoned turkey and aromatic vegetable mixture into the slow cooker ceramic insert.
4. Pour in kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
5. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, and dried oregano across the surface, gently stirring to blend spices throughout the mixture.
6. Cover slow cooker and set to low temperature, allowing chili to simmer and develop rich flavors for 6-7 hours.
7. Once cooking time concludes, taste and adjust seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
8. Serve hot, optionally garnishing with shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, or sour cream for added texture and depth.

Notes

• For a leaner protein option, choose ground turkey breast with lower fat content to reduce overall calories.
• Enhance the chili’s depth by toasting spices like cumin and chili powder in the skillet before adding to the slow cooker, which intensifies their aromatic flavors.
• Boost protein and texture by adding a can of drained black beans or kidney beans alongside the existing beans for extra nutritional value.
• Make the recipe vegetarian by substituting ground turkey with plant-based crumbles or additional beans, maintaining the rich, hearty texture of traditional chili.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg