What could be better than a big bowl of Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Chili? This hearty dump-and-go recipe turns lean ground turkey, beans, and chili spices into the best one-pot meal. Whether you're feeding a crowd, meal prepping, or craving lighter comfort food, this easy slow cooker chili is a winner!
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📝Ingredient shopping list
This is a list of the ingredients you'll need to make this cozy comfort food dinner. For quantities and full preparation instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Protein
- Ground turkey
Canned Goods
- Diced tomatoes - fire roasted with green chilis are great for the extra added flavor
- Tomato sauce
- Kidney bean - rinsed and drained
- Pinto beans - rinsed and drained
- Chili peppers - I use mild, fire-roasted
Produce
- Corn - frozen kernels
Seasonings
- Chili seasoning - homemade or store-bought. (see below for my homemade version)
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper - to taste
Why you will 💜 your slow cooker for this recipe
- True dump-and-go convenience. There is no need to brown any meat in advance for this great dish. Just add it to your crockpot, stir, and sit back while the magic happens.
- Deeper, richer flavor. Slow cooking gives the turkey and spices time to fully infuse and blend together.
- Perfect for meal prep. This easy turkey chili recipe reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day. It also stores really well in the freezer for future reheat-and-eat meals.
- Flexible timing. This dish is delicious cooked on either low or high heat. It can also be kept on the warm setting after cooking time. Whatever works best with your schedule!
Preparing Your Slow Cooker
Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent. Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings.
NOTE: Some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface. Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface. Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns.
Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.
Cooking
Step 1
Place ground turkey into a greased slow cooker and break it apart.
Step 2
Add in all other ingredients
Step 3
Stir to fully combine
Step 4
Cover and cook. After cooking time, stir again, top with cheese (optional), and enjoy!
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🍽Serving suggestions
This dish is a perfect one-pot meal all on its own. However, it is also great:
- With a crisp garden salad
- Next to sweet corn spoonbread
- On top of a bed of rice or quinoa
- Alongside a whole roasted cauliflower
- Topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, and sliced green onion
Substitution and variations
- Do you prefer beef? Slow cooker classic chili is for you.
- Don't like beans? Turkey edamame chili is the answer.
- Is chicken more to your liking? Try my chicken chili instead.
- Vegetarian? There is a chili for that.
- Want to dial up the heat? Toss in extra chili flakes or hot sauce.
Storing and freezing tips
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days in an airtight container or zipper-top bag. Alternatively, freeze them for up to 3 months.
Frozen leftovers should be allowed to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating in the microwave.
😉Slow cooker hints & hacks
- This hearty chili is a terrific recipe for busy nights. It can stay on the warm setting in your slow cooker. Perfect for when your people will be eating at different times.
- Hate cutting veggies? Bell peppers are available pre-cut in the market. They are often in the fresh vegetable section, but are more economical when purchased in the frozen vegetable section.
- I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price.
- In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
- Always double-check to make sure your slow cooker is on and plugged in!!! Coming home to a cold slow cooker is the worst! 🙄
⁉️People also asked
Yes, you can, but it really doesn't add much to the flavor of this dish. It is a true dump-and-go recipe, and there is no reason to add the extra step.
This recipe was developed with the use of canned beans only. Pinto and kidney beans are my favorites, but you can substitute any that you prefer.
This dish is really middle-of-the-road. If you prefer to keep the spice level extra low, reduce the amount of chili powder in your chili seasoning. To dial things up, try adding diced jalapenos, extra chili powder, or even a splash of hot sauce before cooking.
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📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Chili
(Click on the stars to leave a rating)
Print Pin Rate SaveAll nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
Equipment
- cutting board and knife
Ingredients
Turkey Chili
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes I love the fire roasted ones with green chilis for extra flavor
- 15 oz can tomato sauce just basic sauce will do
- 15 oz can kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 15 oz can pinto beans rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn kernels I use frozen
- 1 cup bell peppers diced. You can use green or a mixture of colors depending on your preference
- 7 oz can diced chili peppers I like fire roasted
- ½ cup chili seasoning homemade chili recipe below. Store bought chili seasoning is also great
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste, if needed
Chili Seasoning (note - this makes slightly more than the recipe calls for)
- 4 tablespoon hatch chili powder
- 1.5 tablespoon cumin
- 1.5 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
- optional: chili or crushed red pepper flakes for added heat
Instructions
- Place 2 lbs ground turkey into a greased slow cooker and use a spatula to break it up slightly
- Add 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes, 15 oz can tomato sauce, 15 oz can kidney beans, 15 oz can pinto beans, 1 cup corn kernels, 1 cup bell peppers, 7 oz can diced chili peppers, ½ cup chili seasoning, and 1 tablespoon garlic powder. Stir to combine
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours
- Stir again before serving to break up any turkey clumps that may have formed during cooking.
Final Step
If you love this recipe, please let everyone know by giving it a star rating and leaving a comment. This will help my business to grow and allow me to keep on testing and sharing free recipes with you.😊
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Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
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Gary says
The Lazy's Slow Cooker's Turkey Chilli is amazing! Let's go Thanksgiving!