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Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili

A cozy, family-friendly dinner that fills the house with warm aromas and provides a week of easy lunches. It's a lighter twist on classic chili, perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the base
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil For sautéing
  • 1 medium red onion, chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1.5 lbs ground turkey (93% lean ideal)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 28 oz can chopped tomatoes
  • 15 oz can black beans, rinsed
  • 15 oz can kidney beans, rinsed
  • 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • Salt & pepper to taste
For Garnish
  • Shredded cheddar Optional topping
  • Green onions, sliced Optional topping

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped red onion and green bell pepper and sauté until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  2. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up, until no pink remains and small browned bits form, about 6 to 8 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper while cooking.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste and minced garlic and cook 1 minute more to deepen the flavor.
Cooking
  1. Transfer the turkey mixture to the slow cooker. Add the chopped tomatoes, both rinsed cans of beans, chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Stir to combine.
  2. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
  3. About 15 minutes before serving, taste and adjust salt and pepper. If the chili is too thin, leave the lid off for the last 20 minutes to reduce, or mash some beans to thicken.
Serving
  1. Serve hot with shredded cheddar and sliced green onions, and offer additional toppings like sour cream, avocado, or tortilla chips.

Notes

Browning the turkey and sautéing the veggies is worth the extra 10 minutes for deeper flavor. All ingredients are gluten-free, but check canned goods for hidden gluten if needed.