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Are you ready for the ultimate slow cooker turkey chili recipe that’s hearty, flavorful, and packed with cozy comfort? I can’t tell you how much I love this one, it’s easy, healthy, and perfect for any weeknight dinner or meal prep! After browning the turkey with onions and garlic, everything goes into the slow cooker to simmer low and slow, letting the flavors of turkey, fire-roasted tomatoes, smoky spices, and beans meld into pure, cozy perfection.
This turkey chili is loaded with flavor, totally satisfying, and full of protein and fiber, making it a recipe you’ll return to all season long. It’s warm, comforting, and absolutely delicious. Your new favorite chili is ready to be served!
For more cozy slow cooker recipes, try our incredible white bean chicken chili, flavorful slow cooker green chili chicken, and effortless slow cooker tortilla soup next!
Table of Contents
- Why You Will Love This Healthy Turkey Chili
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions & Variations
- How To Make Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
- How Long To Cook Chili In The Slow Cooker
- Toppings For Turkey Chili
- Serving Suggestions
- Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Storage Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Slow Cooker Recipes to Try!
- SLOW COOKER TURKEY CHILI RECIPE Recipe
Why You Will Love This Healthy Turkey Chili
- Incredibly Flavorful: This chili is packed with flavor from the turkey, fire-roasted tomatoes, spices, and beans.
- Cozy Dish: It’s cozy, hearty, and the perfect dish to warm you up on a chilly day.
- Slow Cooked to Perfection: The slow cooker does most of the work, letting the flavors deepen as it cooks.
- Packed With Protein & Fiber: This chili recipe is easy to make, high-protein, and full of fiber for a satisfying meal.
“I love such quick prep meals and this one is yummy! This high protein recipe makes a perfect slow-cook, one dish meal. I like to add that little extra heat with cayenne pepper, and then top it with some grated cheddar cheese.”
– Alex
Ingredients Needed
- Onion: Dice one brown onion for this recipe. Sauté it in the pan with the ground turkey.
- Garlic: Sauté crushed garlic cloves in the pan to add incredible depth.
- Ground Turkey: Cook the ground turkey in the pan with the onion and garlic before transferring everything to the slow cooker. It’s the hearty base of this chili!
- Salt & Pepper: Season the ground turkey with salt and pepper.
- Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Add one can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes for texture and depth of flavor.
- Tomato Puree: One can of tomato puree enhances the tomato base of the chili.
- Chili Powder: Adds that classic chili warmth and flavor!
- Seasonings: Season with smoked paprika, dried oregano, and ground cumin for the ultimate depth of flavor.
- Beans: Rinse and drain three cans of beans. Use pinto beans, black beans, and white beans.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Beans to Use: I love the combination of black beans, pinto beans, and white beans such as Great Northern or cannellini in this chili recipe. You can add three cans of your favorite beans, or use three cans of just one type if you prefer. Whatever combination you choose, or simply what you have on hand, will be delicious.
- Tomatoes to Use: Use one 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes in this recipe. You can use diced tomatoes, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, or crushed tomatoes.
- Ground Turkey Swap: You can easily customize this chili! Swap the ground turkey breast for lean ground turkey, or try lean ground chicken, ground chicken breast, or even lean ground beef.
- Add Heat: If you want more heat in your turkey chili, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
- Smoky Flavor: For a delicious smoky flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons of chopped chipotles in adobo sauce.
How To Make Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Step 1: Lightly spray a pan with olive oil spray over medium heat on the stove. Then, add the diced onion to the pan and sauté until translucent. After that, add the crushed garlic cloves to the pan and sauté.
Step 2: Add the ground turkey breast to the pan. Lightly season it with salt and pepper on both sides. Break it up with a spatula into small pieces and cook until the turkey is thoroughly cooked.
Step 3: Transfer everything in the pan to a slow cooker. Then, add the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato puree, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, rinsed and drained pinto beans, black beans, and white beans to the slow cooker. Next, thoroughly mix all of these ingredients.
Step 4: Cook everything in the slow cooker to allow the flavors to deepen and develop.
Step 5: Once done, add your optional favorite toppings of choice and enjoy!
How Long To Cook Chili In The Slow Cooker
Cook the turkey chili in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together and develop into a rich and hearty chili.
Toppings For Turkey Chili
You can serve this turkey chili as is, or add your favorite toppings for even more flavor! Try it with our lightened-up guacamole, sliced avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green or red onions, chopped fresh cilantro, sour cream, Greek yogurt, tortilla chips, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Serving Suggestions
This slow cooker turkey chili recipe is incredibly versatile. Here are some delicious ways to serve it!
- Chili Dogs: Spoon the chili over hot dogs and top with cheese and onions.
- Chili Baked Potatoes: Load baked potatoes with chili for a hearty meal. Or, top air fryer baked sweet potatoes with chili for a sweet and savory combo.
- Mac and Cheese: Stir some of this chili into mac and cheese for the ultimate comfort food.
- Taco Salad: Use this turkey chili as the protein base for a flavorful taco salad.
- Chili Nachos: Layer tortilla chips with chili, cheese, and jalapeños, then bake until melted.
- Chili Cheese Fries: Pour this chili over baked or air-fried fries and add shredded cheese.
- Rice Bowls: Serve this turkey chili over rice, cilantro lime cauliflower rice, or quinoa for a filling bowl.
- Stuffed Bell Peppers: Fill roasted bell peppers with this turkey chili and top with cheese.
Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Taste the Chili: Taste your chili before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed. Since the ground turkey is only lightly seasoned with salt and pepper, you may want to add a little more salt to taste. If you’d like extra heat or flavor, stir in additional chili powder a teaspoon at a time until it’s just right.
- Rinse the Beans: Make sure to rinse and drain the canned beans before adding them to the slow cooker to remove excess sodium.
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes are Key: They add a subtle smoky flavor that makes this turkey chili taste even richer.
Storage Instructions
You can store leftover turkey chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Turkey Chili On The Stove?
Yes! Simply use a Dutch oven or large pot to sauté the onion, garlic, and ground turkey until fully cooked. Add the tomatoes, spices, and beans, then let the chili simmer on low for 2-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Can You Freeze Turkey Chili?
Yes! This chili freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. Store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat and serve.
More Slow Cooker Recipes to Try!
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga
- Slow Cooker Enchilada Bowl
- Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan
- Slow Cooker Charro Beans
- Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
SLOW COOKER TURKEY CHILI RECIPE
Equipment
Ingredients
- olive oil spray
- 1 medium brown onion
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 pound ground turkey breast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1, 28 ounce can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1, 28 ounce can of tomato puree
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 15.5-ounce can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 15.5-ounce can of black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 15.5-ounce can of Great Northern beans or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Instructions
- Lightly spray a pan with olive oil over medium heat on the stove. Then, add the diced onion to the pan and sauté until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. After that, add the crushed garlic cloves to the pan and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until cooked.
- Add the ground turkey breast to the pan. Lightly season it with salt and pepper on both sides. Break it up with a spatula into small pieces and cook until the turkey is thoroughly cooked.
- Transfer everything in the pan to a slow cooker. To the slow cooker, also add the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato puree, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, rinsed and drained pinto beans, black beans, and white beans. Thoroughly mix all of these ingredients.
- Cook everything in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to deepen and develop.
- Once done, add your optional favorite toppings of choice and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Heat: If you want more heat in your turkey chili, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
- Smoky: If you want a smoky flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons of chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
- Beans to Use: I love the combination of black beans, pinto beans, and white beans such as Great Northern or cannellini in this chili recipe. You can add three cans of your favorite beans, or use three cans of just one type if you prefer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
You’re going to love this turkey chili because it’s so easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for those cozy nights when you just want something warm and hearty.
I love such quick prep meals and this one is yummy! This high protein recipe makes a perfect slow-cook, one dish meal. I like to add that little extra heat with cayenne pepper, and then top it with some grated cheddar cheese. Include a side salad and you’re good to go! and if you make enough, you can have it for a couple of days!
Hi Alex, I’m so glad you love this slow cooker turkey chili! I love your tip about adding cayenne for a little extra kick, that sounds delicious with cheddar on top! A side salad is the perfect fresh touch, and having leftovers for the next couple of days is always a win. Thanks for sharing how you enjoy it!