Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

This healthy crockpot turkey chili is the most flavourful chili, filled with beans, veggies and turkey, then loaded with toppings.

There’s something about a big pot of chili! I love this turkey chili in particular because it’s simple to make and is leaner than others.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Super healthy: This turkey chili is low in calories and packed full of beans and veggies.
• Set it and forget it: Brown the turkey, dump everything in the crockpot and let it cook all day.
• Add your fave toppings: Customize your chili by adding on your favourite toppings.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Olive oil – or another neutral cooking oil like avocado or canola oil.
• Ground turkey – make it with ground chicken, beef or pork instead.
• Yellow onion – white onion or shallots would also be good.
• Celery stalks – swap out for carrots instead.
• Green pepper – red or yellow pepper would also be good.
• Corn – use another small vegetable like peas.
• Kidney and navy beans – black, pinto and baked beans would all be yummy.
• Garlic – freshly minced garlic is best but jarred minced garlic will work in a pinch.
• Chili powder – use a mix of paprika, cumin and cayenne instead.
• Cumin – add extra coriander instead.
• Paprika – cayenne will also add a bit of spice.
• Coriander – use some more cumin instead.
• Diced tomatoes – canned crushed tomatoes would also work.
• Beef broth – swap out for vegetable broth.

Topping ideas

• Shredded cheddar cheese – Monterey Jack or Tex Mex would be good too.
• Scallions – use green or red onions instead.
• Cilantro – leave this off if you don’t like cilantro.
• Tortilla chips – tortilla strips will also add some crunch.
• Sour cream – non-fat sour cream is a healthier option.
• Sliced jalapeno peppers – swap out for some poblanos instead.
• Sliced avocado – leave this off if you’re not a fan of avocado.

How to make turkey chili in the crockpot

Step 1: Prep your ingredients.

Chop up all the veggies and rinse the beans.

Step 2: Brown the turkey.

Cook until lightly browned.

Step 3: Add everything to the crockpot.

Add all the ingredients to the crockpot.

Step 4: Cook the chili.

Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to brown the ground turkey first?

You’ll need to lightly brown the ground turkey before adding it to the crockpot. You shouldn’t add raw turkey to the crockpot as it won’t cook properly.

Can I cook it on low all day?

This recipe is a great hands-off dinner idea. You can cook it on low for 6 hours, then leave it on the ‘keep warm’ setting for a couple hours after that.

Can I use leftover cooked turkey?

Yes! Just stir it in during the last 10 mins of cooking time. This will warm up the turkey without overcooking it.

Can I make it on the stovetop instead?

If you need to make your chili faster, make it on the stovetop. Sauté the ground turkey, onions, celery, green pepper and garlic in a pot for 5 mins, then add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 mins.

Serving suggestions

Here are some ideas for what to serve with your turkey chili:

• Add your favourite toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese and jalapenos
• Make a side of homemade cornbread or garlic bread
• Use the leftovers to make chili cheese fries or loaded potatoes

Storing and reheating

Storing: Store leftovers in airtight containers for 5 days.

Freezing: Freeze in airtight containers or Ziploc bags for 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheating: Bring to a simmer in a pot on the stovetop or reheat in the microwave for 2-3 mins. You can also reheat from frozen in the microwave for 6-7 mins, stirring halfway through.