Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Chilly evenings call for a cozy bowl of this Slow Cooker Turkey Chili! It’s hearty, flavorful and it’s so easy to make! Simply brown a few ingredients on the stove top, then set it and forget it for an easy family-friendly dinner. It’s great for meal prep and it’s freezer friendly!
It doesn’t get much better for me than curling up with a cozy bowl of chili. It’s hearty, comforting and there are so many fun ways to top it!
Ground turkey is definitely my favorite meat to use in chili. It’s a bit lighter than beef yet it’s still got plenty of flavor.
My white bean turkey chili has been a family favorite for years. It’s not tomato-based, which appealed more to my boys when they were growing up.
This Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is closer to a classic recipe because it’s thick, rich and tomato-y. It’s packed with warm spice flavor, and I absolutely adore it.
It’s the perfect meal for a chilly night!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Slow cooker turkey chili is hearty, healthy, family-friendly dinner.
- It takes just 10 minutes or so on the stove top, then you can pop everything in the slow cooker and set it and forget it.
- It’s great for meal prep and is also freezer-friendly.
- It’s easily customized with your favorite ground meat, chilis, spices and toppings.
Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Ground turkey. Use lean ground turkey preferably as it contains a bit of fat to keep it from being dry. You can also sub it with ground beef, chicken or pork.
- Veggies. Onions and garlic are a must for flavor! I also added chopped poblano peppers for texture and flavor, but they may be substituted with your favorite fresh chilis or diced chilis for added heat.
- Tomatoes. Diced tomatoes add texture and tomato sauce helps thicken the chili.
- Spices. This recipe includes a combination of chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin and oregano. You can also use your favorite store bought spice blend but be careful of added sodium.
- Beans. There are two cans of beans in this recipe — kidney and black beans. You can use your favorite!
- Lime. A bit of fresh lime juice makes all the flavors come alive!
- Toppings. There are so many great ways to top this chili including sour cream, Greek yogurt, grated cheese, avocado, sliced chili peppers, hot sauce, fresh cilantro and more.
How to make crock pot turkey chili
Making this turkey chili recipe in the crock pot couldn’t be easier.
The ground turkey, onions and spices are browned in a pan on the stove top first, which imparts a ton of flavor to the chili. For that reason, I don’t recommend skipping this step.
Once that’s done, just dump everything into the slow cooker, set it and forget it for a few hours.
Pro tip: Prep the ground turkey mixture on the stove top in advance so all you have to do in the morning is dump everything into the slow cooker. You may also make the entire meal in advance.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Cook the onions over medium heat until slightly softened.
- Add the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, then add the garlic, spices and poblano pepper and cook 2 minutes longer.
- Pour the ground turkey mixture into the slow cooker and stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and beans. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
- Turn off the heat and add the lime juice and adjust the seasoning as necessary.
FAQs
If your chili isn’t thick after cooking for several hours in your crock pot, chances are you’ve added too much liquid.
Many recipes include stock or broth, but this crock pot turkey chili recipe does not. It only includes tomato sauce and the liquid from diced tomatoes, so it comes out perfectly thick and rich.
If you prefer your chili on the soupy side, you can always thin it out with chicken stock or water after cooking.
This recipe is freezer-friendly. Simply cool completely after cooking, then store it in the freezer for up to 3 months in an air tight container.
When you’re ready to use it, thaw it overnight in the freezer then heat in the microwave or in a pan on the stove top.
Serving suggestions
This crock pot turkey chili is completely satisfying on its own, but it’s even better when served with a side of one the following breads for dunking:
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Prep the ground turkey mixture on the stove top in advance so all you have to do in the morning is dump everything into the slow cooker. You may also make the entire meal in advance.
- Browning the ground turkey, veggies and spices on the stove top is essential to break up the meat well and promote flavor, therefore I don’t recommend skipping this step.
- Customize this recipe with your favorite ground meat and spices. Sub the poblano peppers with jalapeño or canned diced chilis to pump up the heat.
- Store slow cooker turkey chili in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More chili recipes you’ll love:
- Chorizo chili
- Beef chili
- Lentil chili
- Pumpkin chili
- Quinoa chili
- Sweet potato chili by A Couple Cooks
- White bean turkey chili
- White chicken chili
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram!
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 lb. lean ground turkey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 large poblano pepper seeded and chopped
- 28 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 15 ounces black beans rinsed and drained
- 15 ounces kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 1 lime juiced
- For serving optional: Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, fresh scallions, and lime wedges.
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 2-3 minutes or until softened. Add the ground turkey and break up into pieces with a wooden spoon, then sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes or until no longer pink, then add the garlic, spices and poblano pepper. Stir until incorporated and cook 2 minutes longer.
- Pour the ground turkey mixture into the slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and beans, then stir well to combine. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Turn off the heat, stir in the lime juice and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve with optional garnishes if desired and enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip: Prep the ground turkey mixture on the stove top in advance so all you have to do in the morning is dump everything into the slow cooker. You may also make the entire meal in advance.
- Browning the meat, veggies and spices on the stove top is essential to break up the meat well and promote flavor, therefore I don’t recommend skipping this step.
- Customize this recipe with your favorite ground meat and spices. Sub the poblano peppers with jalapeño or canned diced chilis to pump up the heat.
- Store slow cooker turkey chili in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This recipe was originally published in August 2016. The recipe and photos have been updated, and the text has been modified to include more recipe information.
33 Comments on “Slow Cooker Turkey Chili”
It’s definitely starting to feel more like fall around here! The mornings are cool, but the days are still hot. This chili looks like the perfect transition meal, Marcie I LOVE McCormick’s new seasoning mixes. What a perfect way to use it for a comfort meal!
That’s exactly how the weather is here and I’m loving the cool nights! Thank you, Gayle!
This slow cooker chili looks like a serious fall staple- I love hands off recipes like this!
Thanks Medha — hands off is just what I need right now!
This chili sounds so full of flavor! I can’t wait to try these McCormick Organics spice mixes!
The seasoning mixes make life so much easier! Thanks Jen!
Such a comforting dish! 🙂
Thank you, Maria!
I am totally OK with the fall vibes around here. I live off chili during the fall so can’t wait to try this.
My kids have been in school for a while now so it really feels like fall to me! Thanks, Z!
I love chili this looks like a fabulous recipe! perfect for fall and when the kids are back in school!
Thank you, Mary!
Love that this is a late summer chili with the zucchini and corn! And I LOVE that you kept it healthy with the turkey! This makes me get excited for fall!! I’ll take a big ole bowl of this deliciousness, Marcie! Cheers!
I could eat chili all year round (and do), but it’s definitely better in the cold weather cuz it warms you up so well! Thanks much and hope you’re having a great week! 🙂
Fall is definitely around the corner and I perfectly okay with that feel as long as I have this chili. This sounds so full of awesome flavors and full of yumminess!
Thank you, Anu!
Your blog is totally putting me in the mood for fall, Marcie! It’s actually perfect for this weather we’ve been having lately. I feel like it’s fall already!
That chili mix sounds so good. I need to pick some up!
The weather has been so nice here hasn’t it? I’m ready! Thanks and have a great weekend, Sarah!
Love that you added corn and zucchini! Makes this chili perfect for the end of summer and early fall!!
Thank you, Christin! I’m really getting in the mood for fall!
I love this recipe and your photographs… both are truly inviting
Thank you so much, Priya! 🙂
Chili is one of my favorite things about fall! I love that this one is made in the slow cooker – makes things so easy 🙂 and there’s so many delicious veggies in there, too! This one’s definitely a winner, Marcie.
Chili is one of my favorite things ever! Thank you, Rachel! 🙂
I definitely need recipes like this for the new school year!!! going to check out McCormick’s NEW Organics Recipe Mixes!!
Yes — I need more and more recipes like this too! Thanks, Alice!
Turkey chili is seriously one of my favorite meals! Cornbread + a hefty bowl of comforting turkey chili is my idea of the perfect evening in. Loving that this recipe is made easy in a slow cooker! Brilliant!
I doń’t have a slow cooker, but I love to prepare dishes like chili, such a comfort food for fall:) In Poland it’s still summer-like, very hot and sunny so I will wait with makinmg some fall dishes:)
The best part about chili is that you can prepare it on the stove top or slow cooker easily — its so versatile! Thank you, Natalia!
Hi, can we add a bunch of different vegetables to this recipe instead of just the zucchini and corn?
Hi, Shirley. You could certainly add a chopped carrot and saute it with the onion, then you could add a chopped bell pepper and add it when you add the zucchini. What other types would you like to add?
Ive made thiss a few times with the zucchini & corn and love it! However, just came back to make it again and the recipes has changed? I don’t see the corn and zucchini added any longer. Have I missed something?
Hi Susan! I’m sorry about that! I modified the recipe so that it’s great in any season, but you can always add the zucchini and corn the way you did before. That’s the glory of chili…it can be customized any way you like. 🙂