If you love eating healthy but, like me, just don’t have the time to cook an elaborate meal, then this Healthy Crockpot Turkey Chili is absolutely perfect for you! It’s the ideal meal to have any day of the week, and the best part is that your slow cooker will do most of the work for you!
It’s not only hearty and filling but also incredibly tasty and healthy. All you need to do is prep a few ingredients and toss them all in your slow cooker!
No need to get a skillet out or to even stir anything, your slow cooker will do all the work for you. In the end, you’ll have a delicious dinner that’s healthy and wholesome.
And if you want to learn my tricks to eating healthy regularly with minimal effort, then I’ve included some info on my slow cooker and a few other items to ensure that I can be the LAZY HEALTHY eater that I want to be!
Try making it today and you’ll know just how good it is! I’m sure it’ll become your new favorite.
Why Consider Making Healthy Crockpot Turkey Chili
For my runner friends out there, I’m sure you’re always on the hunt for some great recipes to use whenever you’re running out of time (pun intended).
This is one of those great ones that smell, feel, and taste like home and will also give you a great nutrition boost.
The best part is that this is a slow-cooker turkey chili, meaning your slow cooker will do all the work for you, and you only need to prep the ingredients! This is a no-excuses meal, giving you an easy and inexpensive way to have healthy food at home.
Trust me, this is, by far, the best turkey chili recipe you’ll ever try. I also love how you can easily adapt it to make it vegan or even add your favorite veggies from a flavor variation.
I’ve even included some fun variation ideas below so you can easily switch up the flavor and make this recipe your own. This recipe is seriously going to become a regular in your cooking rotation!
Ingredients to Make Healthy Crockpot Turkey Chili
- Crushed Tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes form the base of our chili, adding a rich, tangy flavor that balances the spices perfectly. They’re packed with vitamins A and C, as well as lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.
- Ground Turkey or Quinoa: Ground turkey provides lean protein to keep you satiated. For a vegan alternative, quinoa is a fantastic choice as it’s a complete protein and adds a lovely texture to the chili.
- Chicken Broth: It deepens the flavor profile of the chili, giving it a savory, hearty undertone. For a vegan version, vegetable broth works just as well.
- Black Beans and Kidney Beans: These beans add a healthy dose of fiber and protein, making the chili even more filling. They also contribute a creamy texture and a subtle, earthy flavor.
- Green and Red Bell Peppers: Bell peppers add a vibrant color and a sweet, slightly tangy flavor to the chili. They’re also a great source of vitamins A and C.
- Celery: It adds a refreshing crunch to the chili, along with a hint of bitterness that complements the other flavors beautifully.
- Sweet Potatoes: They add a touch of sweetness to contrast the spices. They’re also packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
- Onion and Garlic: Onion and garlic are the backbone of any flavorful dish. They add a depth of flavor that makes the chili more satisfying.
- Cumin, Chili Powder, Paprika: These spices give the chili its signature warm, smoky flavor. You can adjust the amount according to your taste.
- Salt and Pepper: These can be adjusted to taste, or omitted entirely if you’re watching your sodium intake.
How to Make Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe
Making this healthy turkey chili recipe is incredibly simple and hardly takes any prep time. Here’s how to make it step by step:
Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Turkey
First things first, you need to sauté your ground turkey until it’s fully cooked. This is a crucial step to ensure your chili has that robust, savory flavor we all love.
Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables
Next, dice your peppers and onions. If you’re short on time, don’t worry! You can always buy pre-diced veggies from your local grocery store. Also, don’t forget to cube your sweet potatoes. These will add a tasty, sweet contrast to your chili.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Once you’ve prepped your ingredients, it’s time to toss them all into your slow cooker.
Step 4: Set Your Slow Cooker
With everything in your slow cooker, set it to low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. This will allow all those deliciousl flavors to meld together, creating a chili that’s both hearty and healthy.
Step 5: Serve Your Chili
Finally, serve your chili topped with avocado or cheese. You can also enjoy it with some crunchy tortilla chips. Enjoy your delicious and healthy crockpot turkey chili!
Healthy Crockpot Turkey Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 lb lean ground turkey or 1 cup quinoa for vegan
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 4 stalks celery chopped
- 2 medium sweet potatoes cubed
- 1 small onion chopped
- garlic
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 3 tbsp chili powder we ended up adding more for more spice
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, sauté the ground turkey until fully cooked. Break it apart with a spatula to ensure it cooks evenly. Drain any excess fat.
- Dice the onion and bell peppers. If you're short on time, you can use pre-diced vegetables available at your local store.
- Peel and cube the sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces.
- In the crockpot, combine the cooked ground turkey, diced onions, bell peppers, cubed sweet potatoes, kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, and chicken or vegetable broth.
- Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well to ensure even distribution of the spices.
- Set the slow cooker to low heat for 6 hours or high heat for 3 hours. The longer cooking time on low enhances the flavors, but high heat is a great option if you're short on time.
- Once the chili is done cooking, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the chili in bowls, and top each serving with sliced avocado, shredded cheese, or whole-grain tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use chicken broth instead of water for a richer, deeper flavor. For a vegetarian version, vegetable broth works just as well.
- Dice your bell peppers, chop your celery, cube your sweet potatoes, and chop your onions to ensure even cooking. Buying pre-diced veggies can be a time-saver if you’re short on time.
- Setting your slow cooker to low for 6 hours will result in a chili with richer flavors as it allows the ingredients to slowly meld together. But if you’re in a hurry, setting it to high for 3 hours will do the trick.
- Don’t forget to season your chili with salt and pepper. Doing this at the end allows you to adjust the flavor according to your preference.
Flavor Variation Ideas
- Vegetarian Chili: If you’re looking to make this chili vegetarian, simply replace the ground turkey with 1 cup of cooked quinoa. Quinoa is a great source of plant-based protein and will give the chili a hearty texture. Don’t forget to replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth to keep it completely vegetarian!
- Extra Spicy Chili: If you love a good kick in your chili, increase the amount of chili powder or add a diced jalapeno to the mix. Remember, the seeds and membranes of the jalapeno are the spiciest parts, so adjust according to your heat preference.
- Loaded Chili: Turn your chili into a loaded bowl of goodness by adding a variety of toppings. Chopped green onions, sliced jalapeños, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt, or a sprinkle of cilantro can add layers of flavor to your dish. You could even add a scoop of sour cream for extra creaminess or some shredded cheddar cheese.
Tips for Making the Best Healthy Crockpot Turkey Chili
- Boost the flavor with broth: Use chicken broth instead of water for a richer, deeper flavor. For a vegetarian version, vegetable broth works just as well.
- Prep your veggies: Dice your bell peppers, chop your celery, cube your sweet potatoes, and chop your onions to ensure even cooking. Buying pre-diced veggies can be a time-saver if you’re short on time.
- Slow Cooker Settings: Setting your slow cooker to low for 6 hours will result in a chili with richer flavors as it allows the ingredients to slowly meld together. But if you’re in a hurry, setting it to high for 3 hours will do the trick.
- Season to taste: Don’t forget to season your chili with salt and pepper. Doing this at the end allows you to adjust the flavor according to your preference.
How to Store Leftovers
Homemade crockpot turkey chili stores really well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.
This delicious recipe also freezes really well. Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before warming it up.
You can also make this ahead of time for busy weeks. Just cook it, allow it to cool, and store it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave and then add your favorite toppings before serving. It’s absolutely perfect for meal prep!
Yummmmmmmmy!!! I feel like the slow cooker has suddenly made a resurgence this year, but I remember my mom using it all the time.
Do you have a favorite slow cooker recipe?
What’s your biggest reason for not cooking?
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