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Home Method Slow Cooker Slow Cooker Soup Recipes
4.91
/5
4 hours 20 minutes

Smoky Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Dairy Free Dairy-Free Gluten Free Gluten Free Nut Free Nut Free Freezer Friendly Freezer Meal Prep Meal Prep
Jump to Recipe
By: Denise Bustard14 Comments
Posted: 11/30/20 Updated: 12/1/20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This smoky slow cooker turkey chili is rich and bold in flavor- with chipotle chilis, ground turkey, kidney beans and plenty of spices. The slow cooker makes this easy and hands off to prep, and it works great for meal prep! 

Hearty, healthy and easy to prepare...these are just a few of my favorite things about chili. While I love a good Vegan Crockpot Chili and Crockpot White Chicken Chili, this smoky turkey chili might just be my favorite!

Smoky Slow Cooker Turkey Chili in blue bowl

With lean ground turkey, beans, corn, tomatoes, onions and garlic, this chili is not only loaded with healthy vegetables, but also with protein.

It's a very flexible recipe that you can add or subtract from to get your perfect bowl of chili. After simmering all day, there is so much delicious smoky southwestern flavor in every bite!

Reasons you'll ♡ smoky slow cooker turkey chili:

  • it simmers 8 hours in the slow cooker for an easy hands off dinner
  • you can sautee the turkey for extra flavor or skip this step in favor of shorter prep time
  • it works as a crockpot freezer meal (and freezes great after cooking as well!)

Recipe video

Wondering how this meal comes together? Watch the 1 minute video below to see how to cook it! You can find more recipe videos on my YouTube channel.

Don't forget to pin this post to save it for later!

ingredients required to make smoky slow cooker turkey chili

Sautée the turkey + spices for extra flavor

The first step in this recipe is to brown the turkey in a frying pan. We do this for a few reasons: Firstly, it’s thought to improve the flavors of the turkey, though I’m not sure you’d notice a difference flavor-wise in this chili.

Secondly, browning the turkey helps improve its texture by giving it a chew. I’ve found when cooking ground turkey right in the slow cooker that it is softer, and I do miss that chewy ‘meaty’ texture.

Taking the time to sautée the spices helps build flavors by releasing the oils in the spices, making their flavor stronger.

Can I put the meat into the slow cooker without cooking it? Yes, you can do this, however the texture will be slightly softer, with less chew to it, and the flavors of the chili may lack in depth ever so slightly.

Pick the right ground turkey

For the best flavor, pick a mixture of light and dark turkey meat for the best flavor: typically, ground turkey can be found at the store simply labelled ‘ground turkey’. This is a mix of light and dark meat, and works perfectly well for turkey chili.

Avoid anything labelled 'turkey breast' or 'extra lean', as they are light and lacking in flavor.

Control your spice level

Buyer beware: chipotle peppers are spicy. As written, this turkey chili is mildly spicy. Adjust the chipotle to taste: if you like a spicy chili, double the chipotles!

Freeze leftover chipotle peppers & adobo sauce in jars or freezer bags for up to 3 months.

overhead view of uncooked turkey chili in slow cooker

Finishing touches

I like to give my chili a taste before serving, especially for long cooking slow cooker meals. Is the flavor flat? Add a squeeze of lime or something acidic to boost flavors. Is the seasoning off? Add some salt to taste. Usually these two things can fix any flavor issues quickly.

Chili is all about the toppings. Here are some of my favorites:

  • green onions
  • shredded cheese
  • sour cream or greek yogurt
  • tortilla strips or chips
  • jalapenos
  • avocados

Equipment

I have owned Crock Pot brand slow cookers for many years now and have been extremely happy.

  • this 6 quart slow cooker works great for a full batch of most recipes on my site
  • this 2.5 quart slow cooker works great for smaller half batches- though I have not tried a half batch of this particular recipe in it!
  • you can also make this in the Instant Pot- check out The Absolute BEST Instant Pot Turkey Chili

ingredients for crockpot chili in freezer bag

Meal prep it!

This recipe works incredibly well for meal prep. There are actually a few different ways you can incorporate it into your meal prep routine:

1. Crockpot freezer meal

This is a type of meal that you assemble ahead before cooking, then freeze. If you choose to use this chili as a crockpot freezer meal, cook your turkey + spices, then cool completely before adding to your freezer bag.

You can store your crockpot freezer meal in

  • a gallon sized plastic freezer bag
  • a 3 quart glass meal prep container (I'm a fan of the ones IKEA carries)

2. Cook ahead and freeze

The second way you can meal prep chili is to cook it ahead and store in the fridge or freezer for easy reheat meals.

  • Store in the fridge for up to 4 days
  • Store in the freezer for up to 6 months

Check out my favorite freezer containers!

smoky turkey chili in slow cooker

More freezer meals

  • 59 Freezer Meals the Whole Family Will Love
  • Slow Cooker Spicy Chickpea Chili
  • Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
  • Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Stew
  • Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

slow cooker turkey chili in a blue bowl

Smoky Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

4.91 from 10 votes
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins
Print Rate
This smoky slow cooker turkey chili is rich and bold in flavor- with chipotle chilis, ground turkey, kidney beans and plenty of spices. The slow cooker makes this easy and hands off to prep, and it works great for meal prep! 
6

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground turkey 450 g
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder see note 1
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 onion diced
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 11 oz can of corn drained
  • 19 oz can kidney beans drained & rinsed
  • 1 chipotle pepper chopped; see note 2
  • 3 tablespoons adobo sauce from the can of chipotles
  • 1 cup stock chicken or veggie
  • 15 oz can of diced tomatoes including juices
  • 15 oz tomato sauce see note 3

Serve with

  • lime wedges
  • green onions
  • shredded cheese

Instructions 

  • Cook ground turkey- Cook ground turkey in a large pan over medium heat, breaking it up into small pieces, until no pink remains (5-8 minutes). Add the chili powder, cumin, ground coriander and salt and cook for an additional 1 minute, until spices are fragrant. See note 4
    ground turkey being cooked in frying pan
  • Cook in slow cooker- Place turkey and spice mixture into a 5 or 6 quart slow cooker with all remaining ingredients and cook on low for 8 hours.
    overhead view of uncooked turkey chili in slow cooker
  • Garnish + serve- Taste before serving and add salt or lime juice to taste. Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla strips or avocado.
    cooked turkey chili in slow cooker

Tips:

1- use a chili seasoning blend, not a pure ground chili powder. I've linked to a homemade chili seasoning blend recipe in the post
2- As written, this turkey chili is mildly spicy. Adjust the chipotle to taste: if you like a spicy chili, double the chipotles!
Freeze leftover chipotle peppers & adobo sauce in jars or freezer bags for up to 3 months.
3- not to be confused with ketchup, this is pureed tomatoes, sometimes call passata
4- you may skip cooking the turkey + spices, but your chili may have slightly less flavor
Storage
Cool chili completely, then portion out into meal prep containers or storage jars.
  • store in the fridge for up to 4 days
  • store in the freezer for up to 3 months
Reheating
Heat individual portions in the microwave until steaming hot.
Heat larger portions in a pot over medium heat on the stove until warmed through.
Freezer crockpot meal
This is a type of meal that you assemble ahead before cooking, then freeze. If you choose to use this chili as a crockpot freezer meal, cook your turkey + spices, then cool completely before adding to your freezer bag.
You can store your crockpot freezer meal in
  • a gallon sized plastic freezer bag
  • a 3 quart glass meal prep container (I’m a fan of the ones IKEA carries)
Freeze for up to 3 months, and thaw completely before cooking as directed.

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/8 of batch, Calories: 293kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 60mg, Sodium: 593mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 8g
Author: Denise Bustard
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did You Make This?Don't forget to leave a review below, and tag us on Instagram using @SweetPeasAndSaffron or #sweetpeasandsaffron
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Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

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Recipe Rating




  1. Sarah says

    Posted on 4/14/20 at Posted on 4/14/20

    I made this over night last night, woke up hungry because it smelled so amazing. Ended up eating it for breakfast, and it tasted just as amazing as it smelled! Thanks for the tasty recipe!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 4/14/20 at Posted on 4/14/20

      What a smart idea to cook overnight! Thanks for reporting back, Sarah 🙂

      Reply
  2. Claire says

    Posted on 2/15/20 at Posted on 2/15/20

    This chili is DELICIOUS! I like things spicy so I doubled the chipotle peppers and added a jalapeño. I normally make chili with beef and was hesitant to use ground turkey as I sometimes thinks it lacks flavor- this recipe made me change my mind! Thanks so much

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 2/20/20 at Posted on 2/20/20

      Yay! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed, Claire! Thank you so much for coming back and leaving a review with the modifications you made. That's so helpful!

      Reply
  3. Liberty says

    Posted on 10/18/18 at Posted on 10/18/18

    Why did you cook the turkey before putting it into the slow cooker?

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 10/20/18 at Posted on 10/20/18

      Hi Liberty! It comes down to personal preference, I know some recipes call for you to put the meat in uncooked but I like to cook mine first because sometimes it releases a LOT of liquid.

      Reply
      • Abby P says

        Posted on 12/17/19 at Posted on 12/17/19

        So are you tossing out the liquid before you freeze it or freezing it with?

        Reply
        • Denise says

          Posted on 1/14/20 at Posted on 1/14/20

          Hi Abby, it doesn't really matter. You can toss it or leave it layered.

          Reply
  4. Adam says

    Posted on 6/5/18 at Posted on 6/5/18

    5 stars
    I like it spicy so I added 4 chipotles. Delicious!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 6/5/18 at Posted on 6/5/18

      Whoa!! Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Adam, and thanks for the review 🙂

      Reply
  5. Melanie says

    Posted on 4/16/18 at Posted on 4/16/18

    Thanks for the recipe. Adding the chipotle peppers and adobo sauce is a new twist. I may try this with some added pumpkin puree too.

    I regularly store cooked meals in pint jars in the freezer. The trick that has worked for me is to leave the lids off or loose enough to allow any pressure (air) or any bulging food to escape out the top. When the lids are screwed on, my jars crack. Good luck!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 4/17/18 at Posted on 4/17/18

      Thanks for the info on jar storage! I need to give it a try. I like your idea with the pumpkin 🙂

      Reply
  6. Lulu says

    Posted on 3/23/18 at Posted on 3/23/18

    4 stars
    Very tasty and easy. A winner.

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 3/24/18 at Posted on 3/24/18

      So happy you enjoyed it, Lulu!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Denise

Meal prep took me from feeling constantly stressed out about meals to cool, collected and in control. I want to share this amazing and transformational habit with you, so you can feel in control, too! Read more ...

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