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!
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.
If you want to get creative with your turkey chili, options are abundant and delicious! You'll definitely be going back for seconds!
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:
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.
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.
Throwing in extra vegetables creates a bulkier chili that is more satisfying and nutritious. Try adding some of these veggies:
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:
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:
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.