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Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

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This healthy turkey chili recipe is thick and hearty, and loaded with flavor. Ground turkey, beans, corn, onion, garlic, jalapeños, tomatoes and warm spices slow cooked to perfection.

white bowl full of slow cooked chili, topped with cheese, sour cream and jalapeños
Table of Contents show

Ingredients in Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Ingredients laid out for a homemade slow cooker chili - turkey, beans, spices, corn, tomatoes, onion, garlic

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Ground turkey: This turkey chili recipe is also delicious with ground pork, ground beef, ground chicken, ground bison and ground lamb. (Try this Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup)
  • Tomatoes: This slow cooker turkey chili recipe calls for a 28 ounce can of tomato sauce. You could also use crushed tomatoes, or even a 14.5 ounce can of tomato sauce and a 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes
  • Frozen corn: You can also use fresh corn or canned corn. You can also use celery or carrots in its place. (Try this Grilled Corn Salsa)
  • Kidney beans: You could also use pinto beans, black beans or any combination of the 3.
  • Onion: For this recipe I used sweet onion. You can also use white onion, red onion, or even shallots.

How to make Crock Pot Turkey Chili

Slow cooker with ingredients for chili - turkey, beans, onion, garlic, tomatoes, corn, seasoning

Step By Step Instructions

STEP 1: Cook the ground turkey in a skillet over medium-high heat. Break the turkey apart with a wooden spoon and cook until browned. Transfer the turkey to the slow cooker, along with the onion, garlic and jalapeños. 

STEP 2: Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, oregano, cayenne pepper and corn. 

STEP 3: Mix in the beans, tomatoes with green chilies and tomato sauce.

A slow cooker loaded up with ground turkey, beans, corn, onion, garlic, jalapeños, tomatoes and warm spices to make homemade chili

STEP 4: Stir to combine all of the ingredients. Cover and cook the turkey chili on low for 6 hours, or high for 3 hours.

slow cooker full of homemade turkey chili with a ladle

Recipe Tips and Variations for turkey chili

  • Storage: Store leftover slow cooker turkey chili in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze this chili for up to 6 months. (These are my favorite storage and meal prep containers)
  • Reheating: I recommend reheating this on the stove top.
  • Freezing: I like to make a double batch of this crock pot turkey chili and freeze half for later.
  • Add cocoa powder: Adding 2 to 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder gives this chili a richer, deeper flavor.
  • Make it low carb: Make this homemade turkey chili low carb by omitting the beans and swapping the corn for celery. Or for a low carb bean option, you can use black soy beans.
  • Serving suggestions: I like to top this slow cooker turkey chili with sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese and Pickled Jalapeños. I serve them with these Cheddar Bacon Jalapeño Gluten Free Biscuits
2 white bowls full of slow cooked chili, topped with cheese, sour cream and jalapeños

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make turkey chili on the stovetop

Brown the turkey in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the remaining ingredients to the pot, bring to a boil, and then reduce to low and cook for 2 to 3 hours.

Do you have to cook turkey before adding it to a slow cooker?

Technically no, but it will have a much better taste and texture if you brown it in a skillet before adding it to the the slow cooker.

What kind of beans are best for chili?

The best beans for chili are pinto beans, kidney beans, and black beans.

white bowl full of slow cooked chili, topped with cheese, sour cream and jalapeños

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white bowl full of slow cooked chili, topped with cheese, sour cream and jalapeños

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

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  • Author: Kyndra Holley
  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

This healthy turkey chili recipe is thick and hearty, and loaded with flavor. Ground turkey, beans, corn, onion, garlic, jalapeños, tomatoes and warm spices slow cooked to perfection. It is the best turkey chili recipe!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño, ribs and seeds removed, diced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 2 (14 ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies
  • 1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • Toppings:  sour cream, cilantro, cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the ground turkey in a skillet over medium-high heat. Break the turkey apart with a wooden spoon and cook until browned. Transfer the turkey to the slow cooker, along with the onion, garlic and jalapeños. 
  2. Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, oregano, cayenne pepper and corn.
  3. Mix in the beans, tomatoes with green chilies and tomato sauce.
  4. Stir to combine all of the ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or high for 3 hours.

Notes

  • Storage: Store leftover slow cooker turkey chili in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze this chili for up to 6 months.
  • Reheating: I recommend reheating this on the stove top. 
  • Freezing: I like to make a double batch of this crock pot turkey chili and freeze half for later. 
  • Add cocoa powder: Adding 2 to 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder gives this chili a richer, deeper flavor. 
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Category: Slow Cooker Recipes
  • Method: Slow Cooked
  • Cuisine: American

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