Go Back
A steaming bowl of Crockpot turkey chili, rich with vegetables and beans.

Ultimate Crockpot Turkey Chili

This hearty and flavorful turkey chili is perfect for a cozy night in, crafted for ease in your slow cooker. It's packed with lean ground turkey, beans, and a blend of spices, making for a satisfying and nutritious meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs Ground turkey lean
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 Onion large, chopped
  • 2 Bell peppers any color, chopped
  • 3-4 Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) Canned diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 can (15 oz) Canned crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp Tomato paste
  • 1 can (15 oz) Kidney beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) Black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup Chicken or vegetable broth
Spices & Seasonings
  • 2 tbsp Chili powder
  • 1 tbsp Cumin
  • 1 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper or more, to taste
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Fresh cilantro chopped
  • Chopped green onions
  • Jalapeño slices
  • Tortilla chips or cornbread

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Slow cooker

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and brown the ground turkey, breaking it apart until cooked; then drain excess fat.
  2. Add chopped onion and bell peppers to the skillet, cooking until softened; then stir in minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
  3. Transfer the turkey and vegetable mixture to a slow cooker, then add undrained diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, rinsed beans, and broth.
  4. Stir in all the spices, including chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper, along with salt and black pepper, ensuring everything is well combined.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the flavors have melded and vegetables are tender.
  6. Stir and taste the chili before serving; adjust seasonings as needed, then ladle into bowls and add your favorite toppings.

Notes

For an extra layer of flavor, toast the spices in the skillet with the aromatics for about 30 seconds before adding to the slow cooker. This chili freezes well, so consider making a double batch for future meals. You can also adjust the heat by increasing or decreasing the cayenne pepper, or by adding a chopped jalapeño with the bell peppers.