Need a satisfying and Healthy Crockpot Turkey Chili that's easy to throw together? Weeknights or game day has never been so easy! Healthy Crockpot Recipes are a must! Try this zesty, protein-packed, full-flavor slow cooker recipe.
Try Healthier Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken and Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes!
No matter what time of year it is, a hearty and healthy slow cooker recipe is always good to have in rotations. This Healthy Crockpot Chili is just that! This recipe is packed with zesty flavor, fiber, and oh-so-much deliciousness. Nothing too heavy, but nourishing and delicious.
The best part? This recipe is a crockpot meal that you can toss in the slow cooker and come home to a warm, protein-packed dinner.
They can add some rice or quinoa for an even heartier meal. Or, they could top it with some avocado or cheese - because who doesn't love cheese??
In case you're interested, here are the Weight Watchers points per serving for this Turkey Chili: 4 SmartPoint; 3 PointsPlus; 2 POINTS (old)
When you need something for a hungry crowd, this is an awesome tailgating or football party recipe!
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Ingredients for Crock Pot Turkey Chili
You can make a crockpot full of deliciousness with just a few nutritious ingredients!
- 1 pound ground turkey (or extra-lean ground beef)
- 2 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
- 1 red bell pepper (seeded and diced)
- 1 sweet onion (diced)
- 1 medium zucchini (grated)
- 2 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 28 oz can (diced tomatoes)
- 1 15 oz can (red kidney beans, drained and rinsed)
- 1 4 oz can diced green chiles (or 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper and salt (to taste)
How To Make A Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
In less than 15 minutes, you can brown your meat, saute your onions, peppers, and zucchini, and place the rest of the ingredients and spices in your crockpot.
Then, set it and forget it. 4-5 hours later, dinner and perhaps lunch for the next day are DONE!
Step 1
Cook ground beef or turkey in a nonstick skillet. Cook until well browned and break into small pieces. Next, add garlic for the last few minutes of cooking. Drain off any fat, then return to the pan. Add peppers and onions and cook until softened about 3-5 minutes. Stir in chili powder and cumin.
Step 2
Place tomatoes, kidney beans, zucchini, chilies or jalapeno, tomato paste, basil, and meat mixture in your crockpot and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high until flavors are blended, about 4-5 hours—Season to taste with black pepper and salt.
Step 3
Finally, place your favorite topping on a heaping serving and enjoy!
Of course, you definitely need some delicious toppings like jalapeño peppers, cheese, tortilla chips, sour cream/Greek yogurt, cilantro, or even fresh sliced avocado.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chili
- You can use ground turkey or ground beef in this recipe; both are delicious.
- We use a 6-quart slow cooker for the recipe.
- If you like your chili to have some kick, add some jalapeno peppers to the recipe.
- For toppings: cheese, avocado, tortilla chips, cilantro, sour cream/greek yogurt.
- For a hearty meal, serve over rice or quinoa.
- You can cook all the ingredients the night before and place them in the crockpot the next day if you need extra time.
- If you like it, you can add canned corn or sweet potatoes to the recipe.
If you want a Slow Cooker Turkey Chili without beans, you can leave them out.
How To Store
- You can keep Turkey Chili in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week.
- This chili recipe freezes well. Place cooked ingredients (plus beans and spices) in an airtight container and freeze before cooking, or cook and then freeze.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, either ground beef or turkey meat makes a wonderful chili in the crock pot. Turkey is leaner, so slightly healthier, but both taste absolutely delicious.
You can add diced bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, or spinach to your chili for added nutrients and flavor.
You can use a variety of beans, such as kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, or a combination in this crock pot chili. Healthy Tip: Choose low-sodium canned beans or cook dried beans to reduce sodium content.
More Healthy Crock Pot Recipes
Make sure to visit our Crockpot page so you can make all of our delicious slow cooker recipes!
Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Crock Pot Vegetable Lasagna
Healthier Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken
Crock Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Crockpot Vegetable Soup
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This recipe originally appeared on Real Housemoms.
This Easy Crockpot Turkey Chili is a weeknight favorite the whole family will love, but it's only 4 SmartPoints per serving, so you all can dig in!
Printable Recipe
Healthy Crockpot Turkey Chili Recipe
Equipment
- cheese grater
- skillet
- Spatula or cooking spoon
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey (or extra-lean ground beef)
- 2 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
- 1 red bell pepper (seeded and diced)
- 1 medium sweet onion (diced)
- 1 medium zucchini (grated)
- 2 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 28 oz can (diced tomatoes)
- 1 15 oz can (red kidney beans, drained and rinsed)
- 1 4 oz can diced green chiles (or 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper and salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook ground beef or turkey in a nonstick skillet. Cook until well browned. Add garlic the last few minutes of cooking. Drain off any fat, then return to the pan. Add peppers and onions and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in chili powder and cumin.
- Place tomatoes, kidney beans, zucchini, chilies or jalapeno, tomato paste, basil, and meat mixture in the crockpot and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high until flavors are blended, about 4-5 hours--Season to taste with black pepper and salt.
- Approximately 1 cup serving: 4 SmartPoint; 3 PointsPlus; 2 POINTS (old)
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We updated this Turkey Chili recipe with enhanced instructions and video on 10/24/19.
brenna frasca says
I noticed that this recipe does not call for any tomato sauce, juice or broth. Where does the "soup" come from?
Erin Henry says
This recipe is for chili, so it doesn't have a broth per se. You use the liquid from the tomatoes and the liquid that comes from the vegetable to make it have a broth consistency.
Jennifer Harrington says
What is a serving size for the nutritional information?
Erin Henry says
Hi Jennifer, a serving is based on about a one cup serving.
Kristyn says
Love that this is healthy & so tasty!! It's very filling with lots of flavors! Time to get the leftover turkey out of the freezer!!
Erin Henry says
Yes, the perfect way to use leftover turkey. All the flavors in this recipe make it a winner!
Melissa says
Great recipe - I made it last weekend and the family loved it! Thank you
Erin Henry says
Awesome! So glad you liked it and the family was happy!
Jen says
Today is cold and dreary and this is exactly what I needed to warm up. I could seriously eat this every night of the week. It's just so good and I love that it has a healthier twist.
Erin Henry says
We love the healthy twist too, Jen! But this recipe is so good you don't even notice!