Julie Clark
Posted:
Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Chili
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This Slow Cooker Chili is savory, has a little heat, and lots of layered flavor. The ground turkey, two cans of beans and spices creates a heartiness and balanced flavor without heaviness.
This easy slow cooker chili recipe is perfect for everything from easy weeknight dinners to game days. Add your favorite chili toppings like cheese, sour cream and even avocado. Serve with sour cream cornbread or tortilla chips!
The Secret to Ground Turkey Chili That Never Tastes Bland
My family loves my sweet and spicy chili recipe. It’s based off our Ohio hot dog sauce and is the perfect amount of texture and sweet heat. It’s a winner in chili cook-offs every single time.
Every now and then, though, I like to develop new recipes, ones without sugar so that they can fit Weight Watchers or other eating plans. I’ve already done that with our sweet potato chili, but this new crockpot chili uses ground turkey for an extra layer of goodness.
Ground turkey is notorious for being bland, but this slow cooker chili has complex flavors thanks to the tomatoes, seasonings such as cumin, chili powder, a touch of cinnamon and unsweetened cocoa powder. It also has a lightly spicy kick thanks to jalapeno peppers. And no added sugar!
I promise, with these seasonings and your favorite toppings, this hearty chili will deliver on the flavor. The slow cooking process really makes the flavor pop.
If you love this, try our slow cooker taco soup, chicken parmesan soup, slow cooker beef tips, slow cooker butter chicken and slow cooker ham and beans!
Enjoy! -Julie
Ingredients
It looks like a lot of ingredients here, but they are common ingredients that you may even have in your pantry.
This recipe is for a slow cooker chili with ground turkey, but of course you could use lean ground beef or ground chicken
See the recipe card for full ingredients and amounts.
Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Chili
This Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Chili is savory, has a little heat, and lots of layered flavor. The ground turkey and spices creates a rich and balanced flavor without heaviness.
Servings 8
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds ground turkey 93 percent for moisture
- 2 cups chopped yellow onion
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 1 jalapeno seeded and finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 large can
- 10 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes 1 can
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 15 ounces kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 15 ounces black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- Fresh cilantro for serving
- Chopped green onions for serving
- Shredded cheddar cheese for serving
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the turkey. Break it up as it cooks and no longer pink. When ready, scoop it into the slow cooker base, adding any juices. 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 pounds ground turkey
- Using the same skillet over medium heat, cook the onions, green pepper and jalapeño for 3-4 minutes until just beginning to soften. Stir in the garlic then add the veggies into the slow cooker. Mix to combine with the turkey. 2 cups chopped yellow onion, 1 bell pepper, 1 jalapeno, 3 cloves garlic
- Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, cinnamon and cocoa powder. Gently mix to combine. 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- Pour the can of crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans, black beans and Worcestershire sauce. Gently combine. Secure the lid and cook for 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low. 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 10 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 15 ounces kidney beans, 15 ounces black beans, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Check the seasoning and adjust salt and pepper as necessary. Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice. Serve in bowls and top with cilantro, green onions and cheddar cheese. Juice of 1 lime, Fresh cilantro, Chopped green onions, Shredded cheddar cheese
Notes
Storage Instructions: This chili freezes very well, just allow it to cool completely before storing. Leftovers hold well in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or stove top until heated through. Chili is even better the next day!
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on the soup serving 8, with 1 serving being ⅛ of the soup. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. **
Nutrition
Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 615mg | Potassium: 1217mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1624IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 6mg
How to Make Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Chili: Step by Step
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown and crumble the turkey until no longer pink. Then add the meat, juices and all, to the slow cooker.
Using the same skillet over medium heat, cook the onions, green pepper and jalapeño for 3-4 minutes until just beginning to soften. Stir in the garlic then add the veggies into the slow cooker. Mix to combine.
Sprinkle in the aromatics and mix: chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, cinnamon and cocoa powder.
Pour the can of crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans, black beans and Worcestershire sauce and stir gently. Cover and cook for 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low.
Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice. Add salt and pepper according to your tastes. Serve the slow cooker chili in bowls and top with cilantro, green onions and cheddar cheese.
