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    Home > Recipes > Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe

    Published: Sep 1, 2020 · Modified: Dec 6, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 33 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    1.6K shares
    turkey chili
    turkey and sweet potato chili

    Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is a hearty, healthy bowl of goodness that cooks in the slow cooker all day long and is a guaranteed weeknight dinner winner.

    two bowls of turkey, quinoa, and sweet potato chili with crumbled chips

    The slow cooker / crockpot is a great tool for cooking chili because its low temperatures and long cook times allow all of the flavors to develop. And there's nothing quite as satisfying as coming home to dinner that has cooked all day, is ready to serve, and leaves only one dish to clean. It's super and easy and just takes a few minutes to prep. This hearty, protein-packed slow cooker turkey chili recipe has been one of my most popular recipes since I first shared it in 2016.

    This post has been updated with new tips and a new freezer label in the recipe card below. But it is still the same recipe that many of you know and love! And if you haven't tried it, I can't wait for you to give it a try. 

    chili in the slow cooker being stirred with a spoon

    Ingredients

    • Ground Turkey - Slow cooker turkey chili can be made with any ground meat as a substitute. Try it with ground beef or ground chicken. If you use ground beef or ground pork, drain it well before adding it to the slow cooker. 
    • Dried Spices - Use classic dried spices in this chili - chili powder and ground cumin. I look for a more mild chili powder so that I can add more spice if I want. I love McCormick chili powder which is very mild.
    • Onion and Garlic - Chopped onion and garlic add a lot of flavor as they cook. 
    • Sweet Potatoes - These add nutrition and a subtly sweet flavor to the chili. They will soften significantly in the slow cooker and will start to sort of melt into the finished dish. 
    • Uncooked Quinoa - It will seem like a small amount to add to the chili, but the quinoa will expand as it cooks and will give the chili a rich, thick texture. 
    • Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce - The combination of diced tomatoes and tomato sauce form a base with great texture and flavor. Be sure to look fore "fire-roasted" diced tomatoes because they have the best flavor. 
    • Black Beans - Even more protein and texture to add to your slow cooker turkey chili.
    • Stock - You'll need a small amount of chicken or vegetable stock for the quinoa to absorb as it cooks. 

    overhead image of a bowl of chili with cheese, sour cream, and green onions on top

    How to Make Chili in the Slow Cooker

    1. Chop vegetables and aromatics - Chop onions, garlic, and sweet potatoes. 
    2. Saute turkey with spices - In a skillet, brown the turkey with onions, garlic, and dried spices until cooked through and fragrant. 
    3. Slow cook - Combine turkey, sweet potatoes, beans, tomatoes, chicken stock, and quinoa in a 6-quart slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. 
    4. Ladle chili into bowls and add toppings!

    Make Ahead / Freezer Friendly Chili

    There is some magic that happens when you make chili ahead of time that means it tastes better a day or two after making it. In this case, you can slow cook the whole batch early in the week, or load up the slow cooker on Sunday night (pre-cook the turkey as outlined in Step #1 in that case) and just start it cooking first thing Monday or Tuesday morning.

    And bonus that this freezes well too. Be sure to print the freezer label in the recipe card below and add it to our list of favorite freezer meals!

    Can I substitute ground chicken or beef for ground turkey?

    Yes. Ground chicken or beef work well in this recipe. If using ground beef, use a lean ground beef.

    How can I make turkey chili taste more meaty?

    Usually ground turkey just needs more spices in order to taste more meaty and flavorful. This recipe works well because it is absolutely packed with flavorful spices and herbs, but you can even increase the dried spices if you'd like.

    What should I serve with turkey chili?

    In addition to classic toppings like sour cream, green onions, and tortilla chips, try serving turkey chili with cornbread or baked potatoes.

    Is turkey chili healthy?

    Turkey chili is lighter in calories when compared to versions made with beef. This recipe also includes healthy quinoa, sweet potatoes, and beans.

    More Slow Cooker Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Classic Beef Chili
    • Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas
    • Slow Cooker Puttanesca with Beef
    • Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
    • Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
    • And one Instant Pot recipe too - Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup

    Favorite Tools

    • Calphalon Nonstick Frying Pan 
    • KitchenAid 6-Quart Slow Cooker

     

    square image of turkey chili in a bowl
    Print Recipe
    4.45 from 36 votes

    Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe

    This turkey chili with sweet potatoes, black beans and quinoa is a hearty, healthy bowl of goodness that cooks in the slow cooker all day long and is a guaranteed weeknight dinner winner.
    This recipe should be made in a 6-quart slow cooker.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time4 hrs
    Total Time4 hrs 15 mins
    Course: Slow-Cooker
    Keyword: easy dinner, family friendly, healthyish, make ahead, turkey
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 259kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $10.00

    Equipment

    • Skillet
    • 6-quart Slow Cooker

    Ingredients

    For Chili:

    • 1 Tablespoon Oil
    • 1 ½ pound Lean Ground Turkey
    • 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
    • 2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
    • 1 cup Diced Red Onion
    • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
    • 1 pound Sweet Potatoes, cubed
    • ¼ cup Uncooked Quinoa
    • 1 15 ounce can Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes
    • 1 15 ounce can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
    • 1 15 ounce can Tomato Sauce (or tomato "puree")
    • 1 cup Low-Sodium Chicken or Vegetable Stock
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

    Optional Toppings:

    • Shredded Cheese
    • Tortilla Chips
    • Sour Cream
    • Cilantro or Chopped Green Onions

    Instructions

    • Pre-Cook Turkey: (Do this up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate the turkey until you're ready to start the slow cooker.) Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onion and garlic and saute until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add turkey, chili powder and cumin and continue cooking until turkey crumbles and is no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
    • Slow Cook Chili: Combine cooked turkey and all remaining ingredients (through the toppings). Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Taste and add salt and pepper, if needed.
    • Serve with your favorite toppings.

    Notes

    Printable Recipe Card - If you are making this meal ahead for yourself or someone else, cook in the slow cooker as directed. Allow to cool completely and transfer to a freezer safe container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 4 months. Print and attach the label below so cooking instructions are ready when you are!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 419mg | Potassium: 726mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 11598IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 3mg

    The original photo of this recipe from 2016.

    turkey chili in a white bowl 

    Related

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    1.6K shares

    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katie Motta

      March 11, 2016 at 1:13 pm

      Looks yummy but aren't you missing the chili powder? I'd like to make this on the weekend - please let me know if you make chili without chili powder, or if you just forgot it on ingredient list. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jess

        March 11, 2016 at 5:37 pm

        Katie - you are spot on! Thanks so much for your note. The recipe is correct now. We recently moved all of our recipes into a new format and have found one or two ingredients that were improperly formatted in the process. Thanks again!

        Reply
    2. Kristina

      January 12, 2017 at 9:02 am

      We had this for dinner last night! The kids were devouring the chili and the look on their faces was priceless when I told them thanks for eating quinoa (they hate it). I added more beans and put my twist on the spices but this gave me a good start.

      Reply
      • Jess

        January 17, 2017 at 9:58 am

        Love that Kristina! So glad that even the kids liked it - they're always our toughest (and best!) critics!

        Reply
    3. Ellen Mercer

      February 10, 2017 at 9:02 am

      5 stars
      Doubled this recipe and brought it to a potluck. There was not a drop left at the end of the day!
      Thank you for such a wonderful recipe.

      Reply
    4. Naomi Davis

      November 04, 2017 at 4:00 pm

      5 stars
      OMG!!! My first time making homemade chili, and it is amazing!!! I don't even need toppings 🙂

      Reply
      • Jess

        November 05, 2017 at 5:50 pm

        Awesome Naomi! I'm so glad you liked it! Definitely one of our favorites!! Thanks so much for letting us know.

        Reply
    5. Chelsea

      March 03, 2018 at 9:24 pm

      5 stars
      This chili has become a staple in our house! We are obsessed over it! I even entered it into a chili competition at work and it placed third out of 10 - amazing for an office that isn't keen on healthy food! Thanks again for sharing this amazing chili!

      Reply
      • Jess

        March 05, 2018 at 10:08 am

        Yay! We're so glad to hear that and congratulations on the third place win! How fun!!!

        Reply
    6. The Fife Life

      July 03, 2018 at 7:31 pm

      This is AMAZING!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! we loved it!!

      Reply
      • Jess

        July 16, 2018 at 1:00 pm

        YAY! So glad you liked it, Jessica! So easy and healthy, right? This is one of my favorites. Actually...need to make a batch to tuck away in the freezer before our baby girl comes - thanks for the reminder!

        Reply
    7. Andrea

      October 20, 2018 at 10:47 am

      Was looking for something different than some of the same old bland turkey chili recipes out there. This looked so flavorful and healthy that I had to try it. So glad we did - we absolutely love it. I made this in my instant pot in less than 1 hour for prep and cook. As a mom of a Type 1 diabetic, I especially love the added nutritional information and carb counts with your recipe. THANK YOU!!

      Reply
    8. Janet

      October 31, 2018 at 11:03 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! I made it exactly as written and it didn't need anything more. I'm so glad to find a recipe that used all the ingredients I had on hand. Simple and very filling too. I'll absolutely make this again!

      Reply
      • Jess

        November 19, 2018 at 11:30 am

        I'm so glad you liked it, Janet! This is one of our favorites, and so satisfying when the weather starts getting cold!

        Reply
    9. we're caught in a trap and i can't walk out

      January 15, 2019 at 10:56 am

      This looks and sounds delicious, and its crocking away as I type this. And at 380 calories per serving? I am on board!

      Except 3/4 cup is hardly what I'd call a dinner-sized serving, much less a super-satisfying serving, and the bowl depicted in the picture is definitely larger than 3/4 cup. Looking at the crock, the whole batch it also looks to be more than 4 1/2 cups total (6 -3/4 cup servings). Was that a typo? Miscalculation? I'm asking because I saw the bowl in the picture, and I saw the 380 cals in the description and was sold. But if your bowl is actually a normal person's sized bowl of soup, its probably at least 1.5 cups if not 2, and therefore approx. 570-760 calories. Which isn't terrible by any means. If this wasn't a typo or miscalculation, this is pretty misleading.

      Reply
      • Jess

        January 15, 2019 at 11:05 am

        Hi there! Thanks for your careful read of the recipe and note about the error. We use My Fitness Pal to calculate the nutrition information for all of our recipes and find that the result is usually very accurate. In this case, the error you caught is just in the serving size. This recipe makes 6 servings at 380 calories per serving. The serving size estimate was inaccurate and has been updated - each serving will, in fact be closer to 1 3/4 cups. Thanks again!

        Reply
        • Were caught in a trap and i cant walk out

          January 15, 2019 at 8:03 pm

          Phew! Because it's so delicious and I ate a true 1.5-ish cup serving of it.

          Thanks for responding! I've been sharing this recipe with friends. It's so good.

          Reply
          • Jess

            January 22, 2019 at 11:30 am

            Great! I'm so glad! Sorry for the confusion, but thanks again for flagging it.

            Reply
    10. Kris Rosenfeld

      August 18, 2019 at 7:34 am

      5 stars
      Enjoyed this recipe very much- even teenager and husband approved. I added two chopped poblano peppers and one chopped red pepper.

      Reply
    11. Megan

      September 16, 2019 at 8:54 pm

      5 stars
      Super easy and delish.

      Reply
      • Jess

        September 17, 2019 at 10:29 am

        Thanks Megan! So glad you liked it!

        Reply
    12. PennyK

      November 18, 2019 at 5:29 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious. I added a 4oz can of chilies and some extra chili powder and cinnamon for extra kick. Very tasty and easy.

      Reply
      • Jess

        November 19, 2019 at 5:11 pm

        Yum - great ideas for additions!

        Reply
    13. Shelley

      February 22, 2020 at 1:22 am

      Hi, can you convert the portion size to Grammes please or explain the weight of cups in measurements please

      Reply
      • Jess

        February 24, 2020 at 10:44 am

        Hi Shelley - it is our hope to add conversions to all of our recipes in the future, so it's on the list. For now, Google can provide very easy and quick conversions for any measurements given on the site.

        Reply
    14. Pamela Corson

      April 27, 2020 at 2:46 pm

      I added the recipe ingredients up using the exact recommended ingredients, and came out with about 70 more calories per serving. Fat, carbohydrate and protein were not off by too much to matter, but I think the calorie count is a more considerable error.

      Reply
      • Jess

        April 27, 2020 at 6:41 pm

        Hi Pamela - thanks so much for your note. We use a tool within the site to calculate the nutritional information on each recipe, so we do sometimes come up with slightly different values than users who use another tool. We'll definitely double check this one just to be sure it's correct.

        Reply
    15. Jerry

      November 17, 2020 at 12:30 pm

      Old bachelor here! - This recipe sounds delicious! Was wondering if it's possible to estimate what size slow cooker (in quarts) would be needed for this recipe using the recommended ingredient amounts? Also - could ground chicken be substituted for the ground turkey?

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        November 17, 2020 at 12:34 pm

        Hi Jerry! I'd recommend a 6-quart slow cooker for this one, though I bet it could work in a 4-quart (though with very little room to spare). Yes! I've made it with ground chicken, and it's a great sub. Enjoy!

        Reply
        • Jerry

          November 19, 2020 at 7:34 pm

          5 stars
          So glad I came across your recipe! I ended up making it with ground chicken (it's what I had on hand) and it was absolutely delicious!! The only other thing I changed was using frozen cubed sweet potatoes instead of cutting and dicing. Will definitely be making again over the winter months. Thanks for your hints on slow cooker size, I split the difference and used a 5 QT slow cooker which turned out to be a perfect.

          Reply
          • Jess Smith

            November 20, 2020 at 8:15 am

            So glad to hear the 5 quart worked and that you enjoyed the chili. Thanks so much for your note!

            Reply
    16. Clara

      October 10, 2022 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      Okay I don't normally rate recipes, or comment on them. But this is just so delicious. I used to make a double batch and freeze it so I would have something to take to my mom's house after work. She was still safe at home but unable to really cook anything with multiple steps.

      Fast forward she's now unable to live alone and doesn't eat a lot of variety anymore. So now I'm gearing up to do single batches for myself and freeze them off she's eating her peanut butter and jelly sandwich French toast or something. I'll always give her some to try and the possibility that she might willingly eat it but things that are have too many ingredients in them seem to create anxiety.

      But this is delicious and thank you so much! Good amount of seasoning and flavor to it. I often find recipes a bit bland for my preference.

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        October 10, 2022 at 2:50 pm

        Clara - thank you for this wonderful note. I'm so glad that you enjoyed this recipe and were able to share it with your mom. I hope she's doing okay, and glad that you are able to make this recipe work in the freezer for yourself now that she prefers simpler foods. I actually just defrosted some of this chili we had in the freezer for dinner last night! Thank you again for taking the time to comment and rate the recipe.

        Reply

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