There’s something wonderfully cozy and satisfying about a hearty chili bubbling away all day, filling your home with spices and warmth. This Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe is my go-to for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings — it’s easy, packed with flavor, and the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting for you!

Two white bowls of chili are shown on a white marbled surface. Each bowl has three main layers: a base layer of chili with red kidney beans, ground meat, corn, and diced tomatoes, followed by a layer of shredded white cheese partly melted, and topped with diced green avocado chunks, sliced green jalapeños, small green cilantro leaves, and a dollop of white sour cream. One bowl has a silver spoon inside it. To the right, a white plate holds several square pieces of golden yellow cornbread with a crumbly texture. A small white bowl with shredded cheese is placed near the bottom left corner. The scene also shows small crumbs scattered on the marble surface and a white cloth partly visible in the lower right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times this Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe has gotten me out of a dinner jam. There’s something so comforting about how the turkey stays tender and juicy, while all the veggies and spices mingle slowly for a perfectly balanced meal.

Super simple prep: Brown the turkey quickly, toss everything into the slow cooker, and head out — it’s that easy.
Healthy but hearty: Lean turkey makes it lighter than classic chili without sacrificing any depth of flavor.
Customizable spice level: With jalapeños and chili powder, you control how bold and spicy it gets.
Feeds a crowd: It makes a big batch that’s perfect for leftovers or a weekend meal prep win.

A white bowl filled with thick soup showing several layers of orange-red broth mixed with small chunks of light brown cooked meat, black beans, yellow corn kernels, and diced red and orange bell peppers, all floating evenly on the surface. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, creating a clean and bright background. The soup’s texture looks hearty with small bits spread widely across the broth, giving it a colorful and dense appearance. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This chili comes together with pantry staples and fresh veggies that complement the lean turkey perfectly. Each ingredient plays a role in building layers of texture and flavor, so choosing quality basics really makes a difference here.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a mound of raw lean ground turkey, a medium diced white onion, one chopped red bell pepper, one chopped yellow bell pepper, a simple white bowl filled with bright red tomato sauce, a small white bowl of petite diced fresh tomatoes, a small white bowl of glossy black beans, a small white bowl of shiny red kidney beans, a few sliced fresh green jalapeño peppers arranged neatly on a white plate, a small white bowl of bright yellow frozen corn kernels, a small white bowl of deep red chili powder, a small white bowl of golden brown cumin powder, a few whole white eggs with smooth clean shells, scattered black peppercorns and coarse salt crystals on the surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: For browning the turkey evenly and adding a touch of richness.
Ground turkey: Lean and protein-packed, it soaks up the chili spices beautifully without being greasy.
Onion: Adds natural sweetness and depth when softened in the chili.
Red and yellow bell peppers: Their crunch and sweetness balance the heat and add vibrant color.
Tomato sauce and diced tomatoes: Create a rich, tangy base that ties everything together.
Black beans and kidney beans: For heartiness, fiber, and that classic chili texture.
Jarred jalapeño peppers: They give a gentle smoky spice without overpowering the dish.
Frozen corn: Sweet bursts that complement the savory beans and turkey.
Chili powder and cumin: The essential spices that give this chili its iconic southwestern flare.
Salt and black pepper: To taste, because seasoning is everything!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Depending on your mood or what you have on hand, you can add, swap, or even spice it up differently every time.

Variation: I love throwing in a touch of smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky note — it’s my little twist that always gets compliments.
Dietary swap: For a bit more bite, I sometimes use ground chicken, or for an indulgent twist, ground beef works great too.
Veggie boost: Add zucchini or mushrooms for extra texture and nutrients without changing the heart of the chili.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe

Step 1: Brown the turkey lovingly

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, and cook it, stirring frequently so it browns evenly and breaks into nice crumbles. Browning adds flavor and a lovely texture. Once the turkey looks fully cooked and slightly caramelized, transfer it to your slow cooker.

Step 2: Toss in the veggies and beans

Next, add diced onion, chopped red and yellow peppers, jarred jalapeños, frozen corn, plus rinsed black and kidney beans to the slow cooker. This mix brings vibrant color and balanced textures—be sure to rinse the beans well to keep the chili clean and bright.

Step 3: Pour in tomato goodness & spices

Pour in the tomato sauce and petite diced tomatoes. Sprinkle your chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper over everything. Give it a good stir so all those fantastic flavors start mingling.

Step 4: Slow cook and savor

Cover the slow cooker and set it on high for about 4 hours, or low for 6 hours if you want to let it work slowly while you go about your day. The long cooking melds the flavors beautifully and keeps the turkey tender without drying out.

Top Tip

From my experience making this chili several times, these tips really help you nail the recipe every single time.

Don’t skip browning: It may seem like an extra step, but browning the turkey first adds so much more depth of flavor than dumping it raw in the slow cooker.
Drain and rinse beans well: It prevents the chili from turning too thick or gritty and keeps the overall flavor clean and fresh.
Adjust the spice: Jarred jalapeños are milder than fresh, so add less or more depending on how spicy you like it.
Don’t overcook: Check at 4 hours if you’re using the high setting to keep the turkey nice and tender without drying out.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of topping mine with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt (adds creaminess without too much richness), sliced green onions, and a few slices of creamy avocado. These layers add texture and coolness that contrast perfectly with the warm chili.

Side Dishes

Some crusty bread or classic cornbread works flawlessly alongside this chili, perfect for sopping up every last bit. You can also enjoy it over a bed of rice or with tortilla chips for a fun twist.

Creative Ways to Present

For game days or parties, try serving this slow cooker chili in mini bread bowls or over baked sweet potatoes. I even once layered it in a slow cooker chili dip with cream cheese and topped with crushed chips — a big crowd-pleaser every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chili in airtight containers in the fridge. It stays great for up to 4 days, and honestly, the flavors deepen — so the next day's lunch is often just as good, if not better, than dinner!

Freezing

This chili freezes wonderfully. After cooling, portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. When I thaw it out, it defrosts quickly and reheats without losing that nice chili texture.

Reheating

I reheat mine on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring often. This helps prevent sticking and makes sure the chili heats through evenly without drying out. A splash of water or broth can loosen it if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe in advance?

Absolutely! This chili actually tastes better the next day as flavors develop. You can prepare it a day ahead or freeze leftovers for later.

Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?

Yes, ground chicken works well and will produce a similar texture and flavor profile. Just brown it thoroughly as you would turkey.

How spicy is this chili?

This recipe has a mild to medium heat thanks to the tamed jalapeños and chili powder. You can adjust the spice level by using more or less jalapeños or adding fresh chili peppers.

What slow cooker size is best for this recipe?

A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe because it comfortably fits all ingredients with enough room for proper slow cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s my shortcut to a healthy, comforting meal without fuss. The way the flavors deepen, and leftovers taste even better the next day, makes it a winner every time. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do — it’s like a warm hug on a busy day, and honestly, who doesn’t need that?