Make the BEST turkey chili recipe in the slow cooker… or the stovetop! Loaded with kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, veggies, chili powder, and ground turkey, it’s hearty and perfect for chilly nights. Browning the turkey adds tons of flavor! Serve with cheese, sour cream, avocado, and cornbread muffins!

Turkey Chili Slow Cooker Recipe

Homemade chili is, without a doubt, my favorite cozy winter dinner recipe! The hearty combination of beans, meat, spices, and veggies just soothes my soul. And the lazy girl in me loves that once you bring it to a boil, the work is essentially over.

What Makes this the Best Turkey Chili Recipe?

• Made with ground turkey, a trio of beans, and veggies, it’s hearty and filling.
• Packed with flavor thanks to my secret blend of herbs and spices!
• You can make it in the slow cooker or on the stovetop.
• Family approved and a fan-favorite recipe with tons of 5-star reviews.
• Delicious plain or topped with sour cream, cheese, avocado, and more!

This turkey chili recipe is also make-ahead friendly! Making it a great weeknight meal you can prep early and enjoy when needed. You can store this in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for 2 months.

Ingredients for Turkey Chili

• Lean Ground Turkey: But ground chicken or even ground beef will work fine.
• Olive Oil: Use whatever you have on hand, it doesn’t need to be fancy.
• Celery: I love the crunch this adds, but you can leave it out if desired.
• Carrots: Add a pop of color, crunch, and heartiness to this chili recipe.
• Onion: I love using yellow onion but in a pinch any onion variety will work.
• Red Bell Pepper: You can use a yellow or orange bell pepper if needed.
• Jalapeño Pepper: Adds a kick to this turkey chili without making it spicy. To reduce the heat, you can cut the amount in half.
• Garlic: Adds tons of flavor and you shouldn’t replace it with garlic powder.
• Spices: Chili Powder, brown sugar, ground cumin, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper add spice and flavor.
• Tomato Paste: Makes the chili thick, rich, and tomato-y.
• Crushed Tomatoes: If you prefer a chunkier tomato, use diced tomatoes instead. You can use regular or fire roasted tomatoes depending on your flavor preference.
• Beans: Kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans are my favorite bean trio. But you can use all one variety if desired.
• Vegetable Broth: Helps thin the sauce a bit and adds flavor. For a fun twist, you can use half broth and half beer. Another substitution would be to use turkey broth.
• Frozen Corn: I think canned corn or fresh corn would work equally well.
• Lime Juice: My secret ingredient, this wakes up all the flavors and makes this turkey chili recipe extra special.

How to Make Turkey Chili

• Brown the Turkey: In a large dutch-oven over cook the ground turkey for 8 to 10 minutes. Or until the ground turkey is no longer pink.
• Add the Veggies: Add olive oil, celery, carrot, onion, and peppers and cook until softened.
• Add the Spices: Add garlic, spices, and tomato paste and continue cooking for another minute.
• Slow Cooker: Transfer into a 5-qt (or larger) slow cooker. Stir in the tomatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans, vegetable broth, and frozen corn. Cover and cook in the slow cooker, on low, for 8 hours.
• Garnish: Stir in the lime juice right before serving! Then garnish with cilantro, sour cream, cheese, or anything else your heart desires.

Make Slow Cooker Turkey Chili On the Stovetop?

Yes, you can make this slow cooker turkey chili on the stovetop instead! In fact, this is how I do it most days. Because it’s ready much faster when cooked on the stovetop…. which as a busy mom I love.

• Instead of transferring the turkey chili to a slow cooker, you’ll continue to cook it on the stovetop.
• You’ll add the beans, tomatoes, and broth to the pot. Bring the chili to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
• Then add the corn and lime juice and continue cooking another 20 to 30 minutes. If the chili looks too thick, you can add a little more broth or water, as needed.
• Then ladle into bowls, top with garnishes, and serve warm!

How to Freeze Turkey Chili

Having a baby, working on your winter meal prep, or just want some meals in the freezer for nights you don’t want to cook? This easy turkey chili recipe is here for you!

• Cook your turkey chili recipe as directed and cool completely!!! This can take a few hours, but be patient here. You never ever want to freeze hot food.
• Scrape the cooled turkey chili into a freezer-safe container or freezer-bag. If you’re using a container, be sure there’s an inch of room from the top of the chili to the lid. If you’re using a freezer bag, squeeze out as much air as possible when sealing it.
• Place the container flat, in the freezer, and forget about it until needed. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it in the fridge overnight. 

Future you is going to be so happy you have this comforting meal in your freezer!!! And it’ll keep fresh “frozen” for up to 2 months.

What to Serve with Turkey Chili?

• Broccoli Cheddar Twice-Baked Potatoes
• Corn Bread Muffins
• Buttermilk Biscuits
• Baked Sweet Potatoes

Turkey Chili Toppings

• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro marries beautifully with the flavors in this chili recipe and adds a pop of freshness! You can serve it on the side if you have cilantro haters in the mix. And offer parsley as a backup option.
• Avocado: The perfect addition to this recipe, sliced, diced, or mashed… it’s delicious almost any way you cut it.
• Green Onions: Aka scallions, add a great crunch and pop of color. Or try adding some diced red onion instead.
• Sour Cream: I can’t imagine enjoying a bowl of chili without a dollop of sour cream on top! You could sub full-fat Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
• Grated Cheese: You can’t go wrong with shredded sharp cheddar, mild cheddar cheese, or Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack.
• Hot Sauce: I love classic Tabasco and chipotle Tabasco in this turkey chili recipe! If you’re serving a crowd, it could be fun to set up a mini “hot sauce bar”.
• Lime Wedges: I love squeezing extra lime in my chili, and as a bonus, colorful lime wedges look pretty on the side.
• Tortilla Chips: Corn chips or fritos are perfect for dipping!
• Beer: Ok so this isn’t technically a topping, but beer is so delicious with chili.