Name: Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 20 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 pounds ground turkey; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1 tablespoon smoked paprika; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 onion, diced; 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes; 1/4 cup tomato paste; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 (14-ounce) can red kidney beans, strained and rinsed; 1 (14-ounce) can black beans, strained and rinsed

This slow cooker turkey chili recipe is the ultimate healthy comfort food. Loaded with lean protein and fiber, it’s equally delicious and nutritious, and the best part is, it’s super easy to make!

Two bowls of slow cooker turkey chili with sour cream, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, and sliced green onion on top with tortilla chips on the side.

I don’t know about you, but I love chili. I love it so much, I’ve shared several chili recipes on my blog, and will certainly share many more. The reason I like it so much is that it creates a well-balanced meal without much effort, and it keeps well in the fridge and freezer, so you can cook once and enjoy healthy meals for days to come.

Not only is this crockpot turkey chili a healthy, high-protein meal, but it’s made in a slow cooker to keep prep and cleanup to a minimum. Just add the ingredients to a crockpot, give it a good stir, let it simmer all day, and come back to a delicious home-cooked meal.

A large slow cooker of turkey chili on a white background.

Why You’ll Love It

Easy to Make – This turkey chili slow cooker recipe is quick to prepare and minimizes cleanup.
Feeds a Crowd – This recipe makes 8 servings, so it’s perfect for a party or gathering.
Keeps Well – Leftovers keep well in the fridge and freezer, making it a great meal prep idea.

Ground turkey on a white plate, bowl of spices, bowl of tomato paste, bowl of kidney beans, bowl of black beans, bowl of diced tomatoes, bowl of crushed tomatoes, garlic cloves, onion, and red bell pepper on a white background.

Ingredients + Substitutions

Ground Turkey – To make the turkey chili and add some protein. I used lean ground turkey, but you can use any style of ground chicken if preferred. See the notes section of the recipe card for details.
Beans – To add some carbohydrates and fiber. The recipe calls for a mixture of kidney beans and black beans, but you can use any canned beans you like. Pinto beans would work particularly well.
Bell Pepper -To add some veggies and micronutrients. I used a red bell pepper, but you can use any color you like.
Tomatoes – To make the chili sauce. The recipe calls for a mixture of crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste, but you can use one or the other if preferred. While you can use any canned tomatoes, fire-roasted tomatoes will add the most flavor. See the notes section of the recipe card for details.
Onion and Garlic – To flavor the chili. The recipe calls for a whole onion and garlic cloves, but you can use onion powder and garlic powder if preferred. See the notes section of the recipe card for details.
Spices – A mixture of chili powder, paprika, cumin, and oregano to flavor the chili. If you want to add a little more heat, add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
Salt – To season.

Dietary Adaptions

To Make it Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free chicken broth or water instead.

To Make it Dairy-Free: No adaptations are needed; this recipe is dairy-free.

Grid of 4 images of a slow cooker with cooked ground turkey; a slow cooker with cooked ground turkey, tomatoes, broth, onion, bell pepper, garlic, and spices; a slow cooker with uncooked turkey chili mixture; and a slow cooker with cooked turkey chili.

Red’s Nutrition Tip

Swapping ground beef for lean ground turkey is an easy way to support weight loss goals by utilizing a high-protein, low-calorie food. This simple substitution cuts down on fat and calories without sacrificing portion size, helping you maintain a calorie deficit while staying full longer.

Serving Suggestions

This slow cooker chili with turkey is a balanced meal with protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fats. It can be enjoyed as is or adapted to suit your personal calorie or macro needs. For example:

To make it higher in protein, serve the turkey chili with a dollop of Greek yogurt on top.
To make it higher in carbs, serve it with cooked rice and/or crusty bread.
To make it higher in fiber, add extra beans and/or diced sweet potato.
To make it higher in fat, serve it with a dollop of sour cream and/or shredded cheese on top.
To add flavor, top the chili with fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, and serve it with a side of tortilla chips.

Close up of a bowl of crockpot turkey chili with a silver spoon on a beige and white striped tea towel with sour cream, cilantro, cheddar cheese, and green onions on top.

Can you make this recipe in an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can make this turkey chili in an Instant Pot. Turn an Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode, then select More. Warm the olive oil, then add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula, until browned. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 more minutes or until softened. Add the chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, bell pepper, garlic, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, and beans to the pot. Turn the setting to “Chili/Beans” or “Manual High Pressure” mode, cover the pot with a lid, and cook for 20 minutes. Once cooked, release the pressure manually or allow it to release naturally.

Storage + Reheating

To Refrigerate: Allow the chili to cool completely, transfer it to an airtight container, and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To Freeze: Transfer the cooled turkey chili to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Once thawed, reheat the chili in a pot on the stovetop over medium heat for 5-10 minutes or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.

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