This is the best Slow Cooker Turkey Chili recipe! Made with ground turkey, kidney beans, and a well-seasoned beer-based broth, it’s the ultra-meaty meal to indulge in on busy weeknights or cold evenings.
Ground turkey is wildly underrated. It’s a fantastic alternative to beef in everything from Swedish meatballs to Cuban picadillo—and, of course, chili! Don’t get me wrong, my Turkey Pumpkin Chili is to die for, but sometimes I’d rather keep it classic and hands-off with this Slow Cooker Turkey Chili recipe.
Table of Contents
It has everything you want in a great chili—hearty beans, rich tomatoes, a splash of beer, plenty of bold, smoky spices, and tender turkey to soak up all that flavor. It only gets better when you pile on the toppings. Cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced onion… Yes, please!
The best part? The crockpot does most of the heavy lifting here. All you have to do is brown the turkey with onions, toss everything in the slow cooker, then set it and forget it. Hours later, you’ll return to your kitchen and be greeted by your new favorite chili.
Ingredient notes
- Ground turkey – I recommend using 93% lean ground turkey (anything leaner can turn out dry).
- Onion
- Chili seasonings – Chili gets its signature warming flavor profile from a simple chili seasoning blend made with chili powder, cumin, salt, oregano, onion powder, cayenne, and black pepper. If you prefer a milder heat, use less cayenne or skip it altogether.
- Beer – Dark beer (like a stout or porter) gives the chili added richness and a subtle malty sweetness. You can also use light beer (like lagers or ales) if you prefer more crisp and balanced notes.
- Kidney beans – A can of kidney beans makes this chili extra satisfying. Unlike other chili recipes, the beans are not drained or rinsed ahead of time since the liquid in the can makes the chili thicker and more flavorful. Black beans or pinto beans also work well.
- Diced tomatoes
How to make turkey chili in the slow cooker
Step 1
Brown the meat + add to crockpot
- Brown the ground turkey and diced onion in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Transfer the cooked turkey and onion to your slow cooker. Add the seasonings, beer, undrained beans, and undrained tomatoes. Stir well.
Step 2
Slow cook the chili
- Cover the crockpot with the lid and slow cook to perfection.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings before serving the chili in bowls with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Tips and tricks
- While you can technically dump the raw ground turkey and onions directly into the slow cooker, browning them first adds depth and prevents the turkey from having a steamed, mushy texture. Try not to skip this step!
- Take the flavors up a notch by sprinkling the chili seasonings over the turkey and onions in the skillet. This “blooms” the spices and brings out their hidden flavors.
- You can cook this turkey chili on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. If you have time, cook it on LOW, as this gives the ingredients more time to meld and develop a richer, deeper flavor.
Variations
Chili is one of the easiest dishes to tweak just the way you like. Here are some of the many ways to switch things up:
- Swap the protein – If turkey isn’t your favorite, this recipe also works with ground chicken, ground beef, or even plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version.
- Add vegetables – Bulk up the chili with diced sweet potatoes, butternut squash, pumpkin, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- Turn up the heat – Add more cayenne, red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a splash of your favorite hot sauce.
- For a smokier version – Stir in 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, a dash of liquid smoke, or a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.
- Skip the beer – The beer adds delicious depth, but if you’d rather skip it, you can use beef broth or even water with a splash of Worcestershire sauce instead.
Serving suggestions
You can serve the chili on its own for a hearty meal or pair it with a few sides to round out every bite. Here are some good ones:
Or, try one of these 45+ Sides For Chili.
Serving this to a crowd? Don’t forget the chili toppings! Put out a bunch of options to help everyone customize their own bowls:
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Fresh or Pickled Jalapeños
- Diced Avocado
- Diced Onion
- Chopped Cilantro
- Sliced Green Onions or Chives
- Tortilla Strips or Crushed Tortilla Chips
- Crumbled Cornbread
- Chopped Crispy Bacon
Storing
Let the leftover turkey chili cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Let the leftovers thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To reheat, warm the chili on the stovetop over medium heat, in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, or in the slow cooker on LOW for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
Erin’s wine pairings for turkey chili
Whether you’re a wine lover or prefer a cold beer, here are my top picks:
- Go with a bold, fruit-forward red Zinfandel or a smooth, full-bodied Malbec to complement the chili seasonings.
- If you prefer something lighter, a dry Rosé adds a refreshing contrast.
- Or, wash it down with the same beer you used to cook with. A malty Amber Ale, a crisp Lager, or a smoky Porter all pair well.
More chili recipes
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Full Recipe
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 onion (diced)
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup beer (dark or light)
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans (undrained)
- 1 14.5-ounce can petite diced tomatoes (undrained)
Toppings
- Sour Cream
- Cheddar Cheese (grated)
- Jalapenos
- Fresh Cilantro (minced)
- Tortilla Strips
- Tortilla Chips (crushed)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, saute the ground turkey and onion until browned.
- Add the ground turkey and onion to your slow cooker and stir in the seasonings, beer, beans and tomatoes.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. Enjoy with your favorite toppings!
Notes
- While you can technically dump the raw ground turkey and onions directly into the slow cooker, browning them first adds depth and prevents the turkey from having a steamed, mushy texture. Try not to skip this step!
- Take the flavors up a notch by sprinkling the chili seasonings over the turkey and onions in the skillet. This “blooms” the spices and brings out their hidden flavors.
- You can cook this turkey chili on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. If you have time, cook it on LOW, as this gives the ingredients more time to meld and develop a richer, deeper flavor.
- Swap the protein – If turkey isn’t your favorite, this recipe also works with ground chicken, ground beef, or even plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version.
- Add vegetables – Bulk up the chili with diced sweet potatoes, butternut squash, pumpkin, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- Turn up the heat – Add more cayenne, red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a splash of your favorite hot sauce.
- For a smokier version – Stir in 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, a dash of liquid smoke, or a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.
- Skip the beer – The beer adds delicious depth, but if you’d rather skip it, you can use beef broth or even water with a splash of Worcestershire sauce instead.
Nutrition
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