Easy Crockpot Turkey Chili
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, seeded, ribbed, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
- 1 (16 ounces) jar salsa
- 2 (14.5 ounces) cans fire roasted tomatoes, diced
- 1 (16 ounces) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (16 ounces) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (16 ounces) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 cup chicken broth
Supplies
- large skillet
- slow cooker
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté another 30 seconds or until fragrant. Remove from heat. Pour mixture into slow cooker.
In the same skillet used to cook the onions, pepper, and garlic, add ground turkey and cook over medium heat until browned. Place the cooked turkey into the slow cooker.
Next, add the salsa, fire roasted tomatoes, beans, chili powder, cocoa powder, salt, paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes, and cumin to the slow cooker. Carefully pour in the chicken stock, stir until ingredients are blended thoroughly.
Cook on low 6 to 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Add an extra pound of ground turkey for a chunkier chili.
Who could resist a hearty bowl of chili with tender meat, vegetables, and beans, coated in warming spices and savory sauce? Nobody! Especially on those cold wintery days, when you need something to warm your bones.
This homestyle favorite has many renditions, and slow cooker ground turkey chili happens to be one of the greatest. Our ground turkey chili is bursting with incredible flavors, a deep richness develops from the cocoa powder, and just enough spice adds enough kick to this simple “set and forget” meal. This slow cooker turkey chili is absolutely mouthwatering as is, yet all chili is versatile so feel free to kick it up an extra notch. Toss in varied meats; some added heat, yummy toppings, and you’ll have yourself a slow cooker turkey chili that fits your personal tastes.
Kick It Up A Notch!
If you want to get creative with your turkey chili, options are abundant and delicious! You’ll definitely be going back for seconds!
Blend Meats
You can either switch out the meat or use it in addition to the turkey. Adding extra meats can create a more complex chili with tons of flavor. Don’t be afraid to go big by adding in some of these meats:
Add Some Heat
Some people like their chili hot. If that’s the case, and you need some extra heat on a cold winter night, add some extra spicy ingredients to your chili. Try some of these peppers, spices, and sauces to add more heat to your chili. The following add-ins have been listed from spiciest to least spicy based on their Scoville heat unit rating or (SHU). The Scoville scale is used to measure heat or capsaicin, which creates that hot sensation.
- habaneros (100,000-350,000 SHU) An extremely hot pepper with fruity and sweet notes
- cayenne pepper (30,000- 50,000 SHU) Hot and spicy! This spicy pepper continues to intensify as it continues to cook, keep in mind that a little bit goes a long way.
- chipotle chilis ( 5000 – 10,000 SHU) A spicy pepper with thicker flesh and smokey flavor, perfect for slow cooker meals.
- jalapeno (2500-8,000 SHU) The most common pepper. The taste is more grassy when green, and tends to become more fruity as it ripens.
- Tabasco (2500- 5,000 SHU) Tabasco sauce will add some kick and some earthy flavor.
- horseradish – Horseradish does not contain capsaicin. It is aromatic, and the spicy, peppery smell will cause more sensations to your sinuses than anything else.
Tip: If you want your chili to set off your inner smoke alarm, keep the ribs in place when preparing any hot peppers you’re using. They hold the most heat. Also, remember to add a little bit of heat as you go and continue to taste your chili, so it doesn’t get too hot.
Veggies
Throwing in extra vegetables creates a bulkier chili that is more satisfying and nutritious. Try adding some of these veggies:
- corn
- mushrooms
- carrots
- celery
- parsnips
- kale
Toppings
You can make your turkey chili even more rich and flavorful by adding some toppings when serving your chili. Here are a few ideas for toppings:
What To Serve With Crockpot Turkey Chili
Chili is mostly a meal in itself, so keep any side dishes on a complementary level only. Try some of these sides with your crockpot turkey chili:
- cornbread
- baked potato
- corn and flour tortillas
- serve chili over a bed of rice
- cheddar biscuits
Crockpot turkey chili is an excellent meal in the winter. There’s something about the warm and inviting flavors that make this chili recipe so enjoyable when the weather is cold.
