Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

If there’s one dish that gets me through chilly evenings, game days, and those busy weekdays where I just don’t want to think about dinner—it’s this slow cooker turkey chili. It’s hearty, healthy, loaded with flavor, and the best part? The crockpot does most of the work while I go about my day.

I’ve been making some version of this turkey chili for years, tweaking it here and there depending on what’s in my fridge or pantry. But this version is the one I come back to again and again. It’s comforting without being heavy, and the mix of beans, veggies, and lean turkey makes it a meal that actually satisfies.

Why I Love This Chili So Much

There’s something about walking into your kitchen at the end of the day and being greeted by the smell of simmering chili—it’s like a warm hug. And since this version is made with ground turkey, it feels a little lighter than traditional beef chili, but still totally filling.

I’ll often throw everything in the crockpot after breakfast, and by the time the afternoon slump hits, dinner’s already taken care of. All that’s left is deciding on the toppings (and whether we’re doing cornbread or tortilla chips… usually both).

What You’ll Need for This Turkey Chili

Here’s what I use and a few tips to make it your own:

• Olive oil – Just a little to brown the turkey.

• Ground turkey – I usually go with 93% lean so it’s not too dry. Ground chicken or beef works too if that’s what you have.

• Onion – I like to dice it small so it melts into the chili.

• Bell peppers – Red and yellow give a sweet flavor that balances the spices. Orange works great too.

• Tomato sauce + diced tomatoes – Adds depth and keeps everything saucy without being soupy.

• Beans – I use one can each of black beans and red kidney beans, drained and rinsed.

• Tamed jalapeño slices – These are my secret flavor booster. They add just a little heat and so much tang. I usually grab them from the pickle section at the store.

• Frozen corn – Easy, sweet, and always in my freezer.

• Chili powder + cumin – These two bring the warmth and smokiness that makes chili, well, chili.

How I Make This Chili (So Easy, So Reliable)

This recipe is incredibly forgiving. Here’s how I usually do it:

1. Brown the turkey:
   Heat a little oil in a skillet and cook the turkey until it’s no longer pink. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

2. Add to the slow cooker:
   Dump the browned turkey into your slow cooker. Then add the onions, peppers, tomatoes, beans, jalapeños, corn, chili powder, cumin, and a good pinch of salt and pepper.

3. Let it cook:
   Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. I usually do low if I’m home all day and want it to develop more flavor.

Give it a quick stir before serving and taste to see if you need more salt.

Toppings Make It Even Better

In our house, chili toppings are a must. I’ll set out a little “chili bar” and let everyone build their own bowl. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack

• Chopped green onions or fresh cilantro

• A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt

• Diced avocado or a scoop of guacamole

• Sliced jalapeños (if we want extra heat)

• Crushed tortilla chips or buttery crackers

• Thinly sliced radishes for crunch

Sometimes I’ll even put out warm cornbread muffins and honey butter on the side—and suddenly dinner feels like a cozy Sunday spread.

Real-Life Tips from My Kitchen

• Use what you’ve got: If you don’t have tamed jalapeños, use a spoonful of salsa or a splash of the pickle juice from the jar. It adds that tangy punch chili loves.

• Want it spicier? Toss in a bit of cayenne or diced chipotle in adobo.

• Too thick? Add a splash of broth or water near the end of cooking.

• Leftovers: This chili tastes even better the next day. I always make a big batch and freeze a few portions for quick lunches or lazy nights.

Make It Your Own

This recipe is super flexible. Swap in ground chicken, add more beans, skip the corn if you’re low carb, or stir in spinach at the end if you want a veggie boost. It’s a true one-pot wonder that plays well with whatever’s in your kitchen.

Yield: 10

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Print

This hearty and healthy turkey chili is a cozy go-to for busy nights or laid-back weekends. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let the flavors simmer to perfection.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb ground turkey (99% lean)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 30 oz tomato sauce
• 30 oz petite diced tomatoes
• 30 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
• 30 oz red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 16 oz jar tamed jalapeño slices, drained
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional toppings:

• Chopped green onions, shredded cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, or Greek yogurt

Instructions

1. Start by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, stirring often, until fully browned. Once cooked through, transfer the turkey to your slow cooker.
2. Add in the chopped onion, both bell peppers, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, jalapeños, and corn. Sprinkle in the chili powder and cumin. Stir everything together and season with salt and pepper to your liking.
3. Cover the slow cooker and let it cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 6 hours, until the veggies are tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.
4. Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite fixings — I love mine with avocado and a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Notes

• Swap in ground chicken or beef if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
  
• This recipe works best in a 6-quart slow cooker.
  
• Leftovers store well in the fridge and taste even better the next day.

Nutrition Information

Yield

10

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 490Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 52mgSodium 709mgCarbohydrates 61gFiber 20gSugar 10gProtein 33g

Dinnerfocus.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Final Thoughts

Whether it’s a cold winter night or just one of those days where I don’t want to think too hard about dinner, this slow cooker turkey chili always comes through. It’s warm, satisfying, and full of feel-good ingredients—and the leftovers never go to waste.

If you make it, let me know how it turned out or what fun toppings you used. I love seeing how others put their spin on this comforting classic.

Try other Ground Turkey recipes:

• Ground Turkey Bowls
• Easy Turkey Bolognese
• Turkey and Black Bean Chili