Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Bowl of crockpot turkey chili ready to be eaten.

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 2

Total Time: 2 10

Servings: people

Calories: 117kcal

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.

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Equipment

Slow Cooker

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

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

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

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