Healthy Turkey Chili

Made with ground turkey, this healthy turkey chili still is a bowl full of comfort! Whether you need an easy weeknight meal, you’re entertaining, or you need something for the big game, this slow cooker turkey chili is a show stopper. 

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This version of chili uses lean ground turkey, fresh bell peppers, and a variety of beans. A few, but flavorful spices complete this dish to pure perfection! You probably already have the ingredients in your pantry.

Chili is a big favorite around here. We have several varieties we love to rotate through.  This award winning white chili is the easiest chili recipe you’ll ever make (it really did win an award), and if you like a more unique recipe for chili, you’ve got to check out this Turkey Chili with butternut squash. 

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Ingredients

• Lean ground turkey
• chopped onions
• garlic
• prepared beans (start from dry or use canned)
• colored bell peppers – I like red, yellow and orange
• chopped green chilis
• chicken broth (homemade bone broth is my favorite)
• tomato sauce
• chili powder
• cumin
• oregano
• optional toppings: cheese, avocado, cilantro, non-fat plain Greek yogurt, jalapeno

Preparing dried beans for chili

I have a friend who’s parents own a bean farm. So for the last several years I’ve opted for dried beans because I can buy them in bulk from her, and they are in their purest form. They’re very fresh and they keep a long time.

Canned beans work great in this recipe, but if you’re more of a purist and like to use dried, you want to prepare them in advance. Because of the tomato sauce and the acidity in it, the beans will not soften if you try to slow cook them with everything else.

It’s easiest to cook them ahead of time, but you can do the same day too. It just depends on how much time you have. I often cook big batches of beans and then freeze them.

Here are some easy instructions for cooking them in the instant pot or pressure cooker. Alternatively, you can boil them on the stove until they are soft.

1. Rinse beans in a strainer
2. Optional: soak in 4-5 inches of water overnight. I have skipped this step many times and it’s fine. Better for your digestive system if you soak, but if you don’t, it’s okay.
3. place beans in the pressure cooker with 6-8 cups of water. Seal and set manual pressure for 5-15 minutes depending on the type of beans. Here’s a handy chart for all types of beans.
4. You can either natural release or rapid release. If the beans are not soft enough, just add a couple more minutes and pressure cook again.

If you opt for canned beans, I recommend a natural or organic brand that doesn’t have a lot of preservatives, then rinse them very well.

How to Make Healthy Turkey Chili

STEP ONE: brown the onions and ground turkey. Depending on how lean your ground turkey is, you may not need to drain it. I like to use either 99% lean or 93% lean. After the turkey is browned, add the garlic and stir until fragrant.

STEP TWO: Transfer the meat mixture to the crockpot. Add the broth, tomato sauce, peppers, green chilis, and seasonings. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.

STEP THREE: Serve! Garnish it with all your favorite toppings such as shredded cheddar, sour cream, yogurt, cilantro, jalapeno, avocado.

Can you put raw ground turkey in the slow cooker?

Yes! You can put the ground turkey in the slow cooker raw. You’ll just need to break it up a bit after it’s cooked. Ground turkey is quite lean, so you usually don’t need to drain it.

What to serve with turkey chili

• This Fall Salad pairs perfectly and I love the fresh fruit in it, it rounds out the meal so well.  
• You can also serve it over a big scoop of brown rice. 
• Chips and salsa (my weakness!) and easy guacamole.
• Cornbread is absolutely delicious with it too.

Notes for Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

This turkey chili recipe is so versatile, there are plenty of ways to change it up. It can be made in the crockpot, Instant pot, or on the stovetop.

• Use less beans for a low carb option. I limit it to 2 cups when going for low carb chili.
• Time-saving tip– cut up the onions and peppers the day before.
• you can replace the ground turkey with ground beef (you can even lower the fat content by rinsing the browned beef in really hot water, keeping it a bit more healthy).
• Use turkey broth, chicken broth or beef broth, they all work great! The bone broth is super healthy and good for your gut.
• I like to use a variety of beans for color and texture, but you can use one kind, or change the combination that I have. Black beans are always good.
• non-fat plain Greek yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream and much lower in fat, but either one works.

More Ground Turkey Recipes

• Turkey Burgers
• Cottage Pie
• Turkey Skillet Dinner
• Egg Roll in a Bowl
• Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers
• Turkey Meatball Noodle Bowl

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See you next time!

~Chellie