Cozy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
A hearty and flavorful slow cooker turkey chili that is easy to prepare, perfect for cozy dinners, potlucks, and meal prepping. This recipe uses lean ground turkey and simple pantry staples to create a comforting and delicious meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds ground turkey
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 bell peppers (red and green), chopped
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste (start with 1 teaspoon salt)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- Optional garnish: fresh chopped cilantro, shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado slices
Instructions
- Prep your ingredients: chop onion, bell peppers, and garlic; drain and rinse canned beans.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
- Add chopped onion, bell peppers, and garlic to the skillet with turkey. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Transfer turkey and veggie mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, black beans, kidney beans, chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours (or on high for 3-4 hours).
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir chili and adjust seasoning if needed. Add jalapeño or cayenne for extra heat if desired.
- Serve hot, garnished with shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, or fresh cilantro.
Notes
Brown the turkey and sauté the vegetables before adding to the slow cooker to enhance flavor and texture. Adjust salt at the end of cooking as slow cooking concentrates flavors. For thicker chili, remove lid during last 30 minutes to evaporate liquid. Make ahead for deeper flavor. Can be adapted for vegetarian or low-carb diets.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (360 ml)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 8
- Protein: 30
Keywords: slow cooker chili, turkey chili, easy chili recipe, healthy chili, slow cooker recipes, comfort food, hearty meals