Crockpot Turkey Chili

When you need dinner to practically make itself while you handle everything else life throws at you, this crockpot turkey chili is your answer. Just brown the meat in the morning, dump everything in the slow cooker, and come home to the most comforting bowl of goodness. Rich, savory, simple!

 

Hot & steamy crockpot goodness awaits!

I saw a little video of someone saying that if you say you love soup but you wait all year for soup season then you don’t really love soup. A true soup lover knows that there is no season for soup!

That’s how I feel about chili! I’m making it all year, I don’t care if it’s 100 degrees outside. I want chili.

This crockpot turkey chili is perfect anytime of year, since it takes minimal effort (brown the meat, dump, stir, cover, wait) and I flippin’ love the little pops of crunchy sweet corn in there. It adds such a fun little twist to chili.

This is really just a riff on my ground turkey chili (currently rated 5 stars by readers!), but made in the crockpot so it’s extra tasty. The meat gets so tender and the flavors deepen a bit in the slow cooker. It’s just really good.

3 Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

Set-it-and-forget-it – Just 10 minutes of prep work, then the crockpot does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day.

Pantry-friendly ingredients – Uses staples you probably already have on hand, so no special shopping trips required. Love that.

Family-approved comfort – Mild, hearty, and satisfying for all ages. Easy to swap out what you don’t like or have on hand, too.

Ingredients, Swaps, & Tips:

Protein swaps: Ground chicken or beef work perfectly if that’s what you have on hand.

Corn: Definitely not found in most recipes, but I love the sweet little crunch it adds. Feel free to omit this if you’re a chili purist. But def serve with our sweet cornbread on the side!

Heat level: This is pretty mild as written. Skip the jalapeño for extra-mild, or add an extra one if your family likes things spicy.

Bean-free option: My kids hate beans too – just leave them out! The chili is still plenty hearty.

Spice shortcut: Running low on individual spices? Use a packet of chili seasoning mix instead. No judgment here – those packets are lifesavers. And hey, they taste good too.

Meal Prep: Perfect for freezing or popping in the fridge for lunch during the week.

Time-saving tip: Brown the meat and veggies the night before. In the morning, just dump everything in the crockpot and you’re set.

Serving Ideas

In my opinion, chili is just begging for fun toppings.

We love it with shredded cheddar, a dollop of sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option), and a sprinkle of green onions.

Diced yellow onion, pickled jalapenos, and crumbled crackers are always popular too!

Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches, buttery crackers, or some crusty bread for dipping. Pure weeknight comfort right there.

Storage

• Fridge: Up to 4-5 days in a covered container
• Freezer: Up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers
• Reheating: Warm on the stovetop over medium heat or microwave until heated through

More chili recipes:

Love chili? So do we! Check out some of our variations below.

Buffalo Chicken Chili – I can turn anything into buffalo chicken! 😉

Taco Chili – Tacos are probably my favorite food and they’re just as good in a bowl!

Keto Chili – no beans, low carb, so good!

Chili Mac – the perfect recipe for leftover chili.

Instant Pot Turkey Chili – an even faster version!

White Chicken Chili – always a hit!