↑
  • Recipes by Type
    • Recipe Index (Search)
    • All Recipes
    • Restaurant Copycat Recipes
    • Recipes by Method>>>
      • 30-Minute Meals
      • Instant Pot
      • Slow Cooker
      • Meal Prep Bowls
      • Sheet Pan Dinners
      • One Pot Recipes
      • Freezer-Friendly
      • Grilling & BBQ
      • Stir Fries
      • Pasta
    • Recipes by Diet>>>
      • Kid-Friendly
      • Gluten-Free
      • Low Carb
      • High Protein
      • Whole 30
    • Recipes by Protein>>>
      • Chicken
      • Beef
      • Seafood
      • Vegetarian
    • Recipes by Holiday>>>
      • Game Day
      • Valentine’s Day
      • St Patrick’s Day
      • Easter
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
  • Recipes by Course
    • Appetizer
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Snacks
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Dressings, Sauces & Spice Mixes
  • Resources
    • Start Here (How to Use My Website)
    • About Me
    • Meal Prep and Meal Planner Bundle
    • How to Meal Prep
    • Resource Guides
    • Take the Meal Prep Challenge
    • Meal Prep Containers
    • Contact Me
  • Meal Plans

The Girl on Bloor

Healthy, easy recipes for busy people!

Start here Contact Privacy Policy
  • Recipes by Type
    • Recipe Index (Search)
    • All Recipes
    • Restaurant Copycat Recipes
    • Recipes by Method>>>
      • 30-Minute Meals
      • Instant Pot
      • Slow Cooker
      • Meal Prep Bowls
      • Sheet Pan Dinners
      • One Pot Recipes
      • Freezer-Friendly
      • Grilling & BBQ
      • Stir Fries
      • Pasta
    • Recipes by Diet>>>
      • Kid-Friendly
      • Gluten-Free
      • Low Carb
      • High Protein
      • Whole 30
    • Recipes by Protein>>>
      • Chicken
      • Beef
      • Seafood
      • Vegetarian
    • Recipes by Holiday>>>
      • Game Day
      • Valentine’s Day
      • St Patrick’s Day
      • Easter
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
  • Recipes by Course
    • Appetizer
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Snacks
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Dressings, Sauces & Spice Mixes
  • Resources
    • Start Here (How to Use My Website)
    • About Me
    • Meal Prep and Meal Planner Bundle
    • How to Meal Prep
    • Resource Guides
    • Take the Meal Prep Challenge
    • Meal Prep Containers
    • Contact Me
  • Meal Plans
Home » Recipes » Best Ever Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Best Ever Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

9/3/19

Casseroles & Comfort Food
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission

This Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is the most healthy, flavourful chili you'll ever make! It's filled with beans, veggies and ground turkey, then loaded up with toppings. You won't miss the beef!  

Healthy, Flavourful Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Gain access to my free 4-week meal prep magic ebook!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription - in order to take part in the challenge you MUST press that confirm button! Check your "other" folder if you don't see that confirmation email. In the meantime, add me to your contacts to ensure that you receive my Challenge emails 🙂

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

How to make turkey chili in the crockpot (step by step)

Making crockpot chili really only requires two steps. It’s simple enough to prep in the morning, then let it cook all day. When you come home in the evening, a filling and nutritious meal will be waiting!

  1. Brown the ground meat in a skillet. Ground turkey only takes three to four minutes. For safety reasons, you do want to brown the ground turkey before putting it in the slow cooker. Ground meat should not be under 140 degrees for long, especially poultry. On low setting, you can’t be sure that it will reach a safe temperature quickly.
  1. Dump all the ingredients in the crockpot. Cook the crockpot turkey chili for three hours on high or six hours on low.
  2. Add your toppings! You can read more on my fave toppings below.

Make this recipe on the stovetop

This chili is so easy to make on the stovetop! It's basically the same as the crockpot but you'll bring to a boil and simmer.

  1. Saute the turkey with olive oil for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned, then add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil then low heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes with a lid on. The longer it simmers, the more the flavours develop.

Make it in the Instant Pot

If you'd like to make this turkey chili in the Instant Pot, it's just as easy! Here are the instructions:

  1. Turn Instant Pot to saute mode and heat olive oil. Brown the turkey for 3-4 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients, then cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Do a quick release of the pressure, then serve and enjoy!

Healthy, Flavourful Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Ingredients in slow cooker turkey chili

Slow cooker turkey chili is a delicious combination of ingredients you probably have on hand. Besides pantry staples, you’ll need to use the following fresh ingredients:

  • Ground turkey
  • Yellow onions
  • Celery
  • Green pepper
  • Corn

Ingredient substitutions

Feel free to use this recipe as a base for getting creative. Not only can you change up the toppings, you can make substitutions to the recipe itself.

Any kind of ground meat will work well with this crockpot chili. I love ground turkey because it is a lean meat, but you can use ground chicken since it has extra protein. If you prefer ground pork choose a lean cut. Ground beef provides monounsaturated (healthy) fats, iron, B vitamins and zinc.

You also have several choices for beans to include in this crockpot turkey chili recipe.

Nearly all chili recipes use kidney beans because they hold up well while cooking and they taste great with the spices in chili. I also add navy beans to my chili. But other options include:

  • great Northern beans
  • black beans
  • pinto beans
  • mixed soup beans

This slow cooker turkey chili is pretty traditional when it comes to vegetables. But if you want to amp up the veggies, you can always add zucchini and carrots. Also, if you want a spicier chili, feel free to use poblano or jalapeno peppers.

Healthy, Flavourful Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

How to add extra flavor to chili

You can also change up the spices in the chili for a unique flavor. You can make it more or less spicy or give it a totally different taste.

Try any of these suggestions for a flavor burst in your slow cooker turkey chili:

  • Beer
  • Cocoa powder or unsweetened chocolate
  • Brewed espresso or black coffee
  • Turmeric
  • Smoky paprika
  • Sweet potato
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Jalapenos

Healthy, Flavourful Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Toppings for slow cooker turkey chili

Providing a selection of toppings for crockpot turkey chili is an easy way to please everyone. With all of these options, your guests are sure to end up with a unique and amazing bowl of turkey chili.

Another fun option is to create a chili bar. Double or even triple the recipe and it will make enough chili to serve a crowd. With a table full of toppings to choose from, everyone will be happy. Tasty toppings include:

  • Shredded cheese
  • Scallions
  • Cilantro
  • Tortilla chips or corn chips
  • Sour cream
  • Jalapeno peppers
  • Avocado
  • Salsa
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Corn

Healthy, Flavourful Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

What to serve with chili

Crockpot turkey chili will provide you with plenty of protein and vegetables, but that doesn’t mean you have to use it as your complete meal. It’s filling, but if you want some side dishes to go with it, try a few of these combinations:

  • Corn bread
  • White or brown rice
  • Sweet potato fries
  • Cauliflower rice
  • Onion rings
  • Roasted Brussels sprout salad

Healthy, Flavourful Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Can you freeze slow cooker turkey chili?

Crockpot turkey chili is a great meal to make in advance. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to five days and in the freezer for up to three months.

Reheating instructions

If you stored your crockpot chili in the refrigerator, it will only take two to three minutes to reheat it in the microwave.

If it is frozen, you can thaw it in the refrigerator the day before you eat it, but you don’t have to. You can warm frozen chili in the microwave for about six minutes, stirring occasionally. You can also warm the chili in a pan on the stove top.

Healthy, Flavourful Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Other healthy slow cooker recipes

If you like this slow cooker chili recipe, then you'll love these other healthy crockpot recipes! They're a great way to get dinner on the table in a pinch – just make sure everything is cooking away while you're at work and come home to a hot meal after a long day!

  • Slow Cooker Tuscan Sausage and Kale Soup
  • Crockpot Salsa Chicken
  • Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

Healthy, Flavourful Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Meal prep tools for this recipe

  • Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on refrigerating the leftovers.
  • I get all my free-range ground chicken and turkey from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
  • Use these Ziploc bag holders if you're freezing the leftover chili in Ziploc bags
  • You can also freeze this recipe in glass microwave-safe bowls up to 3 months

Meal prep challenge

If you'd like some more help with meal planning, then you'll love my free 5-day meal prep challenge! Sign up for free below:

Gain access to my FREE 5-day meal prep challenge + bonus resources when you sign up.

learn how to meal prep by subscribing to our newsletter!

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Healthy, Flavourful Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

This Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is the most healthy, flavourful chili you'll ever make - it's filled with beans, veggies and ground turkey, then loaded up with toppings. You won't miss the beef!
4.2 from 15 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: tex mex
Keyword: chili, chili powder, crockpot, ground turkey, kidney beans, slow cooker, tex mex
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 244kcal
Author: Taylor Stinson

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground turkey or ground chicken
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 green pepper, diced
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can navy beans, rinsed and drained
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 (796mL) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef or chicken broth (add beef for more flavour)

Topping ideas

  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Scallions, sliced
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Tortilla chips
  • Sour cream
  • Sliced jalapeno peppers
  • Sliced avocado

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil over med-high heat. Add ground turkey, seasoning generously with salt & pepper, and saute for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned.
  • Add turkey to Crockpot along with the rest of ingredients (minus the toppings). Cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours.
  • Serve chili in large bowls, then add toppings of choice. Serve and enjoy!
  • STORAGE: Chili will last in fridge up to 5 days, and can be reheated in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. It can also be frozen up to 3 months in glass bowls. Reheat from frozen for 6-7 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 1131mg | Potassium: 784mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1251IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 2mg

 

*Nutrition info is for one serving of chili minus any toppings*

This Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is the most healthy, flavourful chili you'll ever make - it's filled with beans, veggies and ground turkey, then loaded up with toppings. You won't miss the beef! #crockpot #turkeychili #slowcooker This Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is the most healthy, flavourful chili you'll ever make - it's filled with beans, veggies and ground turkey, then loaded up with toppings. You won't miss the beef! #crockpot #turkeychili #slowcooker This Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is the most healthy, flavourful chili you'll ever make - it's filled with beans, veggies and ground turkey, then loaded up with toppings. You won't miss the beef! #crockpot #turkeychili #slowcooker This Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is the most healthy, flavourful chili you'll ever make - it's filled with beans, veggies and ground turkey, then loaded up with toppings. You won't miss the beef! #crockpot #turkeychili #slowcooker

Previous article:
« Easy Spinach Stuffed Chicken Roll Ups
Next article:
Meal Prep Protein Balls 5 Ways (No Bake) »

About Taylor Stinson

Hey there, my name's Taylor! I’m the founder of The Girl on Bloor, a food blog where I share healthy meal prep recipes for busy people. I'm a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto on (you guessed it!) Bloor Street. I've got 10 years experience meal prepping, along with a Master's degree in journalism, and you can find my work across the internet featured on publications such as Buzzfeed, HuffPost, Women's Health, Reader's Digest and more. I also run the awesome 5-Day Meal Prep Challenge, which is a free email course and Facebook group where I share my meal planning strategies and easy meal prep tips and recipes. Be sure to check out my free beginner’s guide to meal prep and follow me on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to get my latest recipes and meal prep tips!

Comments

  1. Mita says

    September 11, 2019 at 11:26

    Taylor,

    I love your YouTube channel and of course your blog. You should have a million subscribers. The pictures on the blog/thumbnail images on YouTube are so colorful and vibrant, draws one to them right away. I found you only a month or two ago and I have to say your channel is one of my favorites on YouTube. The recipes are delicious, most importantly easy to make and you make everything look so easy. I always look forward to your videos. Simple ingredients, bold flavors…that is what I love about your recipes. You are simply put, awesome.

    Reply
    • Taylor Stinson says

      September 11, 2019 at 12:44

      Mita you are so sweet, thank you so much for your kind comment! You’ve really made my day!!! Please let me know if you ever have any requests 🙂

      Reply
  2. Julie Rotenberry says

    October 21, 2019 at 10:59

    what is the serving size on this?

    Reply
    • Taylor Stinson says

      October 21, 2019 at 11:33

      There are 4 servings – you will need to divide the recipe in 4 and each portion is a serving 🙂

      Reply
      • JULIE ROTENBERRY says

        October 22, 2019 at 08:27

        perfect! It came to 2 cups per serving! So the nutrition information that you listed is still the same for me, right?

        Reply
        • Taylor Stinson says

          October 22, 2019 at 08:30

          Yes it is 🙂 As long as you divided equally into 4 servings!

          Reply
  3. B says

    November 1, 2020 at 07:45

    Hi
    I enjoy your recipes. And your blog.
    But I am curious with this chili recipe, why is the sodium so high 1131 mg. ?
    Thanks
    B

    Reply
    • Taylor Stinson says

      November 2, 2020 at 07:20

      Nutritional values are a best estimate and depend on the individual ingredients used. If I had to guess it comes down to the beans and canned tomatoes as canned items have a higher sodium content. You can use low sodium canned items and rinse the beans well to get the sodium count down.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Oh hey there, welcome!!

I'm Taylor Stinson, a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto. Looking to switch up your weekly meal prep routine? I've got you covered with healthy recipes and meal planning resources. Join 1.5 million other monthly readers and dive in! MORE ABOUT ME..

All My Cookbooks in One Bundle!

meal prep and meal planner bundle

Gain access to my FREE five day meal prep challenge + bonus resources when you sign up.

learn how to meal prep by subscribing to our newsletter!

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

featured on

Copyright ©2021, The Girl on Bloor. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites