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Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is a leaner chili than when beef is used but is still hearty and flavorful. Put this in the crockpot, go about your day and come home to a delicious bowl of chili. This is perfect for meal-prep or game day.
Last week was a sad day in my house because my slow cooker died. I had a moment of panic considering I use it a lot during the week for meals like this Slow Cooker Turkey Chili, Slow Cooker Chicken Curry or Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup. I especially like using my slow cooker when we have a busy day ahead. No matter what stage of life your family is in, I know there can be days when making dinner after a busy day just doesn’t sound appealing.
As with most chili recipes, this is very customizable.You can add whatever vegetables you like, use more or less beans or try adding in different beans like chickpeas or white beans. This is also a good freezer friendly meal to save for a busy day in the winter. When it comes to customizing your chili the options are endless.
If you like a thinner chili add more tomato sauce, or for a spicier chili use more cayenne red pepper or crushed red pepper, for a richer flavor try a teaspoon of cinnamon and cocoa powder. If you like chili recipes try my If you like chili recipes you should also check out my Best Pork Chili Recipe, Instant Pot Turkey Chili, White and Black Bean Turkey Chili or this Beef Poblano Black Bean Chili.
Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need
Please see the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and instructions.
- Spices: I enjoy the spices used in this recipe: chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, paprika and oregano. You can adjust the spices to your liking and how much spice you want.
- Ground Turkey: As you can tell by the name, this chili uses ground turkey. You can switch it up and use what you like from beef to ground pork to even making it a vegetarian chili.
- Beans: In this chili recipe I use black beans and kidney beans. I also like adding white beans or chickpeas to this chili.
- Vegetables: The corn, sweet onion, jalapeño and garlic add great flavor. Feel free to bulk up this chili using other vegetables like carrots, celery, zucchini, bell peppers or poblano peppers.
How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Step 1: Brown the Turkey: In a large skillet heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cooked until browned.
Step 2: Add Ingredients to Crockpot: Add the turkey to the slow cooker followed by all of the remaining ingredients and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3 hours.
Step 3: Serve: Serve warm in soup bowls with your choice of toppings like sour cream, avocado, cheese and chopped red onion.
Storage Tips:
- Store the chili in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- You can freeze the chili. Make sure to let it cook completely. Store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- To reheat remove the chili from the freezer and let defrost overnight. Add a splash of water or vegetable broth and then slowly reheat on the stovetop.
Recipe FAQ
If you want a thicker chili try to mash some of the beans up or you can even add a grain like rice or quinoa.
Add jalapeños, chipotle peppers in adobo, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce.
More Chili Recipes
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Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Ingredients
For the turkey chili
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 to 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup sweet onion, diced
- 1 large red pepper bell pepper, seeds removed, chopped
- 1 – 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 – 15 ounce cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed {or any beans you like}
- 2 – 15 ounce cans of diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth, {optional for thinner chili}
- 1 – 15 ounce can of corn, drained and rinsed
- 1 jalapeño, seeds removed, chopped {optional for spice}
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne red pepper {optional for spice}
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano, {or Mexican oregano}
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cooked until browned. Drain any fat and add the turkey to the crockpot.
- Add the remaining ingredients into the crockpot and give it a good stir. Cook on low for 5 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Serve warm in soup bowls with your choice of toppings like sour cream, avocado, cheese and chopped red onion.
Notes
- If you want to freeze this chili let it cool in the fridge before you put it in the freezer. It works great as a freezer mea.
- You can substitute ground beef for the ground turkey.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Julia, thanks for sharing your recipe! Is it possible to substitute the turkey with chicken?
You can absolutely do ground chicken. Is that what you are thinking? If you want to do chicken breasts I think you might be able to stick those in and let them cook in the chili and then shred the chicken but I haven’t tried that.
From a reader Steve-these were his modifications:: Just making this, looks and smells gorgeous, added garlic, turmeric and Asafoetida, also browned the onions off before adding, changes the flavour of them, will also add a few squares of dark chocolate near the end of cooking. The added extra beans and corn are brilliant, this will be a firm favorite for me….
Going to try this tonight! Iām making it for 9 people. HOW should I tweak it to accompany more guests?
It could possibly feed 9 but would probably only make enough for each person have a small bowl. I would try and add additional ingredients to bulk it up–you could do a can or two more beans and/or additional turkey and another diced tomatoes. I would taste the chili once it is ready to serve and add more spices since you will be adding the additional ingredients.
I made this two nights ago and it was amazing. We loved it. I was super happy with how thick and flavorful it turned out. It has just the right amount of spicyness. I will definitely make this again! Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks so much for the feedback Jill! That means a lot. We love this recipe too. It is such a great one to set while you are going about your day and then come back to. š
I made this tonight and wow it was delicious! We came home after a very long work week to a steaming crock pot of tasty chili. No better meal for a cozy night in. Thanks for sharing!
I may post later this week on a few creative ideas to use the leftovers from this meal. I hope that is ok! Happy Holidays!
xo Rachel
I am so glad you liked it Rachel! Thanks for letting me know!
I am so glad you liked it!
I often refer to mine as the magical crock pot, because everything that comes out of there is amaazzing! Love that I can add this recipe to the list!
I would be so sad if my slow cooker died. At least you got this wonderful chili before hand.
Thanks Jess! Simple and easy is the best. š
oh man! Im in dire need or a new slow cooker, but at least it’s kind of working for the time being! love turkey chili, what a great idea to do it in the slow cooker!
Thanks Alaina! š
I love turkey chili!!! You cannot even taste the difference!!! Mike is crazy. haha! Oh and RIP old crock pot!
I know! I agree–turkey is just as good! š