Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (2024)

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Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe

ByMichelle McGlinn

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (4)

Michelle McGlinn/Chowhound

The slow cooker is capable of many things, but perhaps most importantly it is responsible for really delicious chili. Chili can certainly be whipped up in 30 minutes or less, but anyone who's made chili before will tell you that it is infinitely better when it is simmered for hours instead. The slow cooker makes this easy, allowing you to carry on with your day while dinner cooks itself. In this easy slow cooker turkey chili recipe, developer Michelle McGlinn mixes in chipotle peppers in adobo and green chiles to amp up the heat and transform regular turkey into a seriously flavorful spicy chili. While turkey can sometimes be known for being dry and bland, this recipe is anything but thanks to the help of salty Worcestershire and a few key spices. If you're used to beef chili, you won't miss it — you may even make this spicy turkey version part of your regular rotation. If you're looking for a way to warm up this winter, this chipotle-filled chili will do the trick.

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Gather the ingredients for slow cooker spicy turkey chili

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (5)

Michelle McGlinn/Chowhound

For the best flavor, you'll need to sauté a few things first, so grab some olive oil. You'll need yellow onion, garlic, and ground turkey to start. From there, you'll need Worcestershire sauce, sweet potato, kidney beans, black beans, green chiles, and tomato puree. We use canned green chiles, but if you can't find those, just use diced jalapeño instead. Grab a can of chipotles in adobo next. You'll need both the chiles and the sauce, especially if you want it extra hot. Then, grab beef stock or broth, salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder.

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Step 1: Heat up a skillet

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (6)

Michelle McGlinn/Chowhound

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2: Sauté the aromatics

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (7)

Michelle McGlinn/Chowhound

Once hot, add the onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, until soft and fragrant.

Step 3: Brown the turkey

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (8)

Michelle McGlinn/Chowhound

Add the turkey and crumble while cooking. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Transfer to a slow cooker

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (9)

Michelle McGlinn/Chowhound

Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker.

Step 5: Add the potato and beans

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (10)

Michelle McGlinn/Chowhound

Add Worcestershire sauce, sweet potato, and all of the beans to the slow cooker.

Step 6: Cover with chiles

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (11)

Michelle McGlinn/Chowhound

Cover with diced chiles, tomato puree, adobo sauce, and chipotle pepper.

Step 7: Add the broth and seasonings

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (12)

Michelle McGlinn/Chowhound

Add the beef broth and seasonings. Stir to combine.

Step 8: Cook low and slow

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (13)

Michelle McGlinn/Chowhound

Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. Serve.

How can I make spicy turkey chili on the stove top?

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (14)

Michelle McGlinn/Chowhound

To make spicy turkey chili on the stove top, begin the recipe as written, but sauté the vegetables and turkey in a deep pot or Dutch oven instead of a skillet. Once the turkey is browned, add the remaining ingredients as written to the pot, stirring well to scrape any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the mixture to a simmer, drop the heat to low, and cover. Cook for 1–2 hours or as long as 5 hours, checking the mixture every hour and adding broth as needed. Unlike the slow cooker, liquid cooked on the stove evaporates over time and needs to be watched more carefully to ensure that the mixture doesn't burn. (We told you the slow cooker was the best option for chili.) If you're in a rush, skip the beef broth and simmer the chili until the sweet potato is cooked through and soft, about 30 minutes.

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How can I serve and store spicy turkey chili?

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (15)

Michelle McGlinn/Chowhound

Turkey chili is notorious for storing well. You can store this chili in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to a week, or you can freeze the chili for several months. To freeze, cool completely, then transfer to Ziploc bags or freezer-friendly containers and store in the freezer. To thaw, transfer to the refrigerator or thaw quickly by soaking the container in water. The chili can also be cooked from frozen — just transfer the mixture to a large pot and bring it to a gentle simmer until warmed through.

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To serve, top with shredded cheddar cheese, sliced avocado, and corn chips. To add a little more heat, top with shredded pepperjack cheese and freshly sliced jalapeños. For a classic pairing, serve the chili with crusty bread for soaking up the spicy sauce. Serve alongside Southwestern-inspired salads (think black beans, corn, and romaine lettuce), corn salsa, and homemade skillet cornbread to complete the meal and complement the spicy chiles in the turkey chili.

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe

5 (18 ratings)

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This spicy turkey chili earns its titular heat from a winning combination of diced chiles and ground spices simmered in a slow cooker with turkey and beans.

Prep Time

10

minutes

Cook Time

4.12

hours

servings

4

Servings

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (16)

Total time: 4 hours, 17 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups peeled and diced sweet potato
  • 1 (15.5-ounce) can dark red kidney beans, drained
  • 1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, drained
  • 1 (4-ounce) can green chiles, undrained
  • 1 (28-ounce) can tomato puree
  • 2 tablespoons sauce from can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (from can)
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Once hot, add the onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, until soft and fragrant.
  3. Add the turkey and crumble while cooking. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker.
  5. Add Worcestershire sauce, sweet potato, and all of the beans to the slow cooker.
  6. Cover with diced chiles, tomato puree, adobo sauce, and chipotle pepper.
  7. Add the beef broth and seasonings. Stir to combine.
  8. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories per Serving646
Total Fat18.2 g
Saturated Fat3.7 g
Trans Fat0.1 g
Cholesterol78.2 mg
Total Carbohydrates82.5 g
Dietary Fiber21.8 g
Total Sugars19.5 g
Sodium1,720.5 mg
Protein44.8 g

The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (17)

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Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound (2024)

FAQs

Easy Slow Cooker Spicy Turkey Chili Recipe - Chowhound? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

Does chili taste better in the crockpot? ›

Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer.

Can you cook chili too long in a slow cooker? ›

Yes, but it would take a while. I have cooked this chili for 9 hours on low and it was delicious but ever-so-slightly burnt on the top. The tomatoes contain sugar, which caramelizes in the slow cooker, and will eventually burn if it cookes for too long. Anything longer than 10 hours on low is risky.

Is chili better in slow cooker or Dutch oven? ›

For making great chili, it's a tie between the Dutch oven and the multi-cooker in slow-cook mode. Each requires some tweaking in the cooking methods, though. The Dutch oven chili had the best aroma, heat, and flavor, but it looked less than appetizing due to its dry texture. And the longer it sat, the thicker it got.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Ideally, chili should simmer low and slow. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate and results in a thicker consistency and deeper, more complex flavor as the aromatics and spices release their superpowers.

Do you need tomato paste for chili? ›

Tomato paste is a great way to add bonus tomato flavor, and thickness, to a chili recipe. To get the best flavor it needs to be browned. Add a couple tablespoons (or a whole can if you want a thicker soup base) directly to the pan after cooking the meat and onions.

Can I leave chili in the crockpot overnight? ›

So here's the verdict when it comes to chili food safety: You can leave it in the slow cooker for hours after it's done cooking if the cooker is set to the “low” or “keep warm” setting.

Can you cook chili on low for 8 hours? ›

The Best Way to Cook Chili:

The low and slow cooking process melds the flavors of the chili seasoning into every bite and the beef becomes so tender, juicy, and irresistible. You can slow cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours.

When to add canned beans to chili? ›

You know the saying, “save the best for last?” To keep your beans nice and plump, add them about 20 minutes before you finish cooking. This will give them plenty of time to impart that perfectly seasoned chili flavor to your recipe without overcooking.

Why does my crockpot chili taste bland? ›

Insufficient seasoning, such as chili powder, cumin, paprika, and salt, can lead to bland chili. Chili relies on a combination of spices and seasonings for its distinctive flavor. Be sure to taste your chili during the cooking process and adjust the seasonings as needed.

Should you stir crockpot chili? ›

Add all remaining Chili Ingredients to the slow cooker and give them a stir. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours (recommended) or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Taste and add salt/pepper/cayenne pepper to taste. Serve with desired toppings such as cheese, sour cream, green onions, corn/tortilla chips, etc.

Does chili get less spicy as it cooks? ›

Most chillies lose their spiciness when cooked and mixed with other ingredients like dairy, acid, sugar, etc. But if that is still hot, chillies can be deseeded and soaked in water and vinegar to neutralise the capsaicin for a couple of hours before using it.

How to give chili a deeper flavor? ›

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

How do you darken chili flavor? ›

Drop in some chocolate.

We're all about adding some cocoa to your chili, especially in the early stages of cooking when you're blooming your spices, but I like to drop a few pieces of dark chocolate into the pot too.

How do you increase the flavor of beef in chili? ›

Brown Your Meat First

To enhance the flavor of your chili, brown the meat before adding it to the pot. This step not only caramelizes the meat, but gives your chili more texture, adding a depth that cannot be achieved by simply simmering it in the chili.

How do you add depth of Flavour to chili con carne? ›

What can I add to chilli con carne for more flavour? Spices such as ground cumin, coriander and cinnamon round out the flavours without adding much heat (that's where the chillies come in). If you enjoy smoky flavours, try adding smoked paprika in addition to the other spices.

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