Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my privacy policy.
This high-protein slow cooker turkey chili is a filling, delicious, and easy to make recipe. It is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep or cozy dinners.
I’ve been all about those slow cooker recipes lately because afternoons have been crazy with kids after-school activities and homework. I love having dinner just ready and waiting for us.
This honey garlic chicken and creamy kale and beef stew have been on my regular slow cooker rotation. And now this crockpot turkey chili is being added to the mix! It is made with ground turkey, beans, and warm spices. It is a family favorite around here, especially because theres so many fun toppings you can add to your bowl.
Table of Contents
What makes this recipe great
- It is high protein! The ground turkey, bone broth and beans are good sources of protein, which makes this a filling meal. There is 36 grams of protein per serving.
- It is easy to make. All you have to do is brown the meat, then you throw everything into a slow cooker. Prep takes about 10 minutes, then it cooks itself.
- It is family friendly. This recipe isn’t spicy and the heat can easily be adjusted to fit different needs.
- Its great for meal-prep. This recipe tastes great reheated the next day!
- It is versatile. This recipe is naturally dairy-free and gluten-free and can be tweaked to your tastes and needs.
Recipe ingredients
- Ground turkey– you can use low fat or regular ground turkey, based on your preferences. I prefer 92% lean ground turkey for this recipe.
- Onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, cumin– all of these herbs and spices season the chili with lots of flavor.
- Canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce– these add the tomato taste that makes the base of the chili.
- Red bell pepper– fresh pepper adds flavor to a classic chili.
- Bone broth– this adds some liquid and protein to the chili.
- Canned black beans, kidney beans, and corn– these add texture, fiber and protein to the chili.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Additions/ Substitutions
- Instead of ground turkey, you can use ground chicken or ground beef.
- Instead of bone broth, you can use chicken broth. There will be less protein in the recipe.
- You can use different canned beans like pinto beans or white beans.
- If you want to add heat to the recipe, you can add cayenne pepper. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and taste it.
- If you want to add more chili flavor, you can add another Tablespoon of chili powder.
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Brown the ground turkey with garlic powder, onion powder, and tomato paste.
Step 2: Add the browned ground turkey to the bottom of the slow cooker. Then add the diced bell pepper, salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, oregano, cumin, diced tomatoes, bone broth, beans, corn, and tomato sauce to the slow cooker.
Step 3: Mix everything in the slow cooker together and then add the top to the slow cooker and on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
Step 4: Mix everything then add some more salt to taste. I added another 1/2 teaspoon salt to mine.
Expert tips
- This recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt. Once it has finished cooking, add a bit more to taste. I added another 1/2 teaspoon.
- This recipe is not spicy! If you like more spice, you can add more chili powder, along with cayenne powder.
- How to serve: Serve this chili with your favorite toppings like sour cream, greek yogurt, green onion, jalapeno, avocado, guacamole, cheddar cheese or tortilla chips.
- How to store: You can store this chili in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can also freeze this chili in a freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to three months.
Recipe FAQs
You can add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or chipotle powder to increase the heat. Add a little bit and adjust to taste.
Yes. Brown the turkey in a large pot, add the remaining ingredients, and simmer for 30–45 minutes, stirring every so often.
Yes, just make sure your slow cooker is large enough. Don’t fill the crockpot past the max fill line.
Other chili recipes you’ll love:
Did you try this recipe? Please leave me a ⭐ review below!
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili (High Protein)
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt, (plus more to taste, I added another 1/2 teaspoon after it cooked)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons soft paprika
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 (28 ounce can) diced tomatoes, or crushed tomateos
- 1 cup bone broth
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce, or marinara
- 1 (15 ounce can) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce can) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce can) sweet corn, rinsed and drained
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet/ frying pan over medium heat. Add a few teaspoons of olive oil to the pan, then add the ground turkey, 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, and 1 Tablespoon tomato paste. Mix everything into the turkey and mix. Brown the turkey, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Pour the browned ground turkey mixture to the slow cooker. Add in the diced bell pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika, 2 Tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon oregano, 2 teaspoons cumin, the canned diced tomatoes, canned beans, canned corn, 1 cup bone broth, and 1/2 cup tomato sauce. Stir everything together until combined.
- Cook the chili on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
- Taste your chili and add more salt if needed. I added 1/2 teaspoon salt. If you want more heat to your chili, you can add another Tablespoon of chili powder and/or some cayenne powder.
Notes
- How to serve: Serve this chili with your favorite toppings like sour cream, greek yogurt, green onion, jalapeno, avocado, guacamole, cheddar cheese or tortilla chips.
- How to store: You can store this chili in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can also freeze this chili in a freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to three months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I hope you love this turkey chili as much as my family does! It is full of protein and fiber and tastes amazing with some greek yogurt, cheddar cheese and tortilla chips on top.