Slow Cooker Turkey Chili served and ready to eat

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

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Lean turkey, two kinds of beans, tomatoes, and warm spices simmer into a hearty slow-cooker chili built for leftovers.

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Photo by kaori kubota on Unsplash.

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe

Prep: 20 minutes   Slow cook: 6 to 7 hours on LOW   Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Cook onion and bell pepper for 4 minutes.
  2. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart, until no pink remains. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano; stir for 30 seconds.
  3. Transfer the mixture to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add crushed tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, broth, corn, and salt. Stir well.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until hot and flavorful.
  5. Stir in lime juice. Taste and adjust salt or chili powder before serving.

Why this recipe works

Browning the turkey and blooming the spices before slow cooking builds more flavor than adding everything raw, while beans keep the chili hearty and economical.

Helpful tips

  • Browning the turkey first improves flavor and texture.
  • Use mild or hot chili powder according to your preference.
  • For thicker chili, cook uncovered on HIGH for the final 20 minutes.

Storage and reheating

Cool in shallow containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat to 165°F. Freeze meal-size portions for up to 3 months.

Food-safety note: Ground turkey must reach 165°F. Do not leave cooked chili at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Estimated nutrition

Per serving: 405 calories, 30 g protein, 51 g carbohydrates, and 10 g fat. Estimates vary by brands and portions.

Helpful kitchen gear

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