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Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
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Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

This Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is a hearty, flavorful dish made with lean ground turkey and beans, perfect for a comforting meal with minimal hands-on time.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time6 hours
Total Time6 hours 15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chili, Easy, Gluten-Free, Healthy, Slow Cooker, Turkey
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb ground turkey 98% lean
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 14.5-oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup chicken broth or stock ensure it’s free from non-permissible ingredients
  • 1 15-oz can black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 15-oz can red kidney beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup corn frozen or canned

Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics and Turkey

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Next, add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until the turkey is no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, and paprika, stirring well to coat the meat evenly with the spices.

Step 2: Transfer to the Slow Cooker

  • Once the turkey mixture is cooked through and seasoned, transfer it to your slow cooker. Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juices), chicken broth, black beans, kidney beans, and corn. Stir everything gently to combine all the ingredients well.

Step 3: Cook Low and Slow

  • Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The longer cooking time allows the flavors to deepen and the chili to thicken naturally.

Step 4: Final Taste and Serve

  • Before serving, give the chili a good stir and taste for seasoning. Adjust salt, pepper, or chili powder as desired. Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, or sliced jalapeños, if you like.

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Slow Cooker

Notes

For extra flavor, brown the turkey and sauté onions and garlic before adding to slow cooker. Remove lid during last 30 minutes to thicken if desired. Rinse beans well to reduce sodium. Use fresh spices for best taste. Recipe can be doubled for meal prep. Substitute ingredients for vegan or different spice levels as preferred. Store leftovers in refrigerator up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.