Best Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
My slow cooker turkey chili is thick, hearty, and just spicy enough. The slow cooker and my secret tricks make this comfort food effortless.
I love cooking in my slow cooker while I work all day. It is so magical to come home to dishes like pot pie, meatballs, or stuffed peppers. This easy crock pot turkey chili is another favorite. It is loaded with meat and beans and tastes like you were standing over the stove all day. We love it for chilly Fall evenings and game day .
Why This Recipe Works: A Sprinkle of Food Science
- Brown Meat and Veggies: This creates hundreds of flavor compounds you just can't get from the slow cooker alone.
- Use 2 Kinds of Meat: Ground turkey adds bulk while kielbasa adds fat and a smoky flavor.
- Add a Touch of Sugar: It balances out the acid in the tomatoes
- Thicken with Tortilla Chips: They soak up extra liquid and add a hint of corn flavor.
- Baking Soda: Turkey is lean so adding baking soda helps it retain more moisture.
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
- Ground Turkey: Look for 93% not 99% lean ground turkey. 99% is too lean and tends to dry out quickly.
- Baking Soda: Don't skip this! It increases the pH of the meat and helps it stay moist.
- Kielbasa: I used Turkey Polska Kielbasa, but any rope sausage even chicken or pork will do.
- Sugar: Don't be scared of this, it won't make the chili sweet, it just cuts some of the acid.
- Broth: I used low sodium. You could even use water or even half water half beer.
Krystle's Tips: Steal My Culinary School Secrets
- Don't Skip Sauteing: I know it's annoying to have a crock pot recipe where you also have to use the stove. Trust me the flavor is worth this extra step. Browning gives the meat so much flavor and tasty brown bits you can't get any other way. If you have an Instant Pot you could even sauté and then slow cook in it.
- Use a Crock Pot Liner: This makes cleanup a breeze. If you don't have any, you could also spray it down with nonstick cooking spray.
- Always Rinse Canned Beans: This removes the salty canning liquid and improves their flavor/texture.
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📖 Recipe
Best Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
My slow cooker turkey chili is thick, hearty, and just spicy enough. The slow cooker and my secret tricks make this comfort food effortless.
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Servings: 10 Servings
Calories: 131kcal
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Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Ground Turkey
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 2 Tablespoons Water
- 2 Links Turkey Kielbasa Sliced into Rounds
- 2 28 Ounce Cans Diced Tomatoes
- 1 16 Ounce Can Dark Red Kidney Beans Drained and Rinsed
- 1 15 Ounce Can Black Beans Drained and Rinsed
- 1 15 Ounce Can Chili Beans
- 2 Sweet Onions Diced
- 3 Stalks of Celery Diced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper Diced
- 3 Tablespoons of Chili Powder
- 2 Teaspoons Cumin
- 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Oregano
- 1 Teaspoon White Sugar
- 2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
- ½ Cup Tortilla Chips Crushed
- 2 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
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Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook onions, celery, and bell pepper for 7-8 minutes or until translucent and softened. Add to slow cooker.
- In same skillet, brown kielbasa on all sides. Place in crock pot.
- Dissolve baking soda in water and pour over ground turkey. Brown and add to crock pot.
- In a large slow cooker sprayed with non stick cooking spray, add all remaning ingredients. Stir well.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours.
Nutrition
Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 292mg | Potassium: 381mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 12.7mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1.3mg
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The turkey chili cooked in slow cooker is my new favorite dinner recipe. Whole family left no crumbs, finished it off their bowl.
This slow cooker chili is such a hearty, delicious family meal.
This slow cooker chilli is so easy to make and so delicious!
My comfort foods are usually bland but after reading this recipe, I'm convinced that even hot dishes like this one can be comforting. I love how easy to follow this recipe is. Thanks for sharing!
I am so excited for chili season this year! This was my first chili of fall this year and it was a winner! Loved this one.
It is the first time making chili with turkey, and we loved it! so delicious and easy to make. Thank you!
Loved the addition of turkey sausage. It added a different texture and taste. We added a little crushed red pepper flakes for more heat- we like it HOT!
Great idea, you can never go wrong with spice. Thanks so much for your review Jessica.