The Best Crock Pot For Turkey Chili

can you cook turkey chili in crock pot

Turkey chilli is a hearty, healthy, and delicious meal that can be made in a crockpot. It is a great option for an easy weeknight dinner and can be customised with various toppings and ingredients. The dish is loaded with lean ground turkey, beans, and a blend of spices, making it a perfect comfort food for any cool evening. With minimal prep and dishes, this recipe is a convenient and tasty option for those looking for a warm and nourishing meal.

Characteristics Values
Recipe Type Slow Cooker, Crockpot
Ingredients Lean Ground Turkey, Beans, Spices, Chicken Broth, Tomato Paste, Chopped Tomatoes, Kidney Beans, Black Beans, White Onion, Olive Oil, Salt, Black Pepper, Avocado, Cheese, Sour Cream, Greek Yogurt, Cilantro, Cornbread, Chicken Stock, Hot Sauce, Smoked Paprika, Cumin, Dried Oregano, Cayenne Pepper, Garlic, Corn
Nutritional Information Calories: 125kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 50mg, Sodium: 310mg, Potassium: 362mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 510IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 2mg
Toppings Cheese, Sour Cream, Greek Yogurt, Cilantro, Avocado, Tortilla Chips, Jalapeños
Cooking Time 3-8 hours
Temperature Low, High

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Ingredients and prep

To make turkey chilli in a crockpot, you'll need a variety of ingredients, including vegetables, meat, beans, spices, and toppings. Here is a detailed list of ingredients and preparation steps to make crockpot turkey chilli:

Ingredients:

  • Meat: Lean ground turkey is the star ingredient. You'll need around 2 pounds of ground turkey to serve a generous portion.
  • Vegetables: Onions are a must-have for adding flavour to the base of the chilli. White onions are recommended, but you can also use green onions for a fresh flavour. Bell peppers, especially red peppers, are also a great addition.
  • Beans: Black beans and kidney beans are a popular combination for turkey chilli. However, feel free to use your favourite beans. Pinto beans, for example, can be a great substitute or additional option. Remember to drain and rinse the beans before adding them to the crockpot.
  • Tomatoes: Use a combination of chopped tomatoes and tomato paste to add sweetness, texture, and a rich tomato flavour to your chilli.
  • Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth adds incredible flavour and creates a slightly thinner consistency for your chilli. If you prefer a thicker chilli, reduce the amount of broth used.
  • Spices: A variety of spices are needed to create a complex and flavourful chilli. Essential spices include chilli powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika or regular paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper (for heat), salt, and black pepper. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level.

Prep:

  • Sauté the vegetables: Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and peppers and cook until they start to soften, about 4 minutes.
  • Brown the meat: Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook until it is browned and cooked through. Season the turkey with salt and black pepper as it cooks. You can also add the garlic at this stage and cook for an additional 30 seconds to a minute.
  • Combine in the crockpot: Once the meat and vegetables are cooked, transfer them to the crockpot. Add all the remaining ingredients, including the beans, tomatoes, broth, and spices. Give everything a good stir to combine.
  • Cook in the crockpot: Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The longer cooking time on low heat allows the flavours to develop even further.
  • Add fresh vegetables (optional): If you want to include fresh vegetables like chopped peppers or onions, add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent them from overcooking.
  • Adjust the consistency: If you prefer a thicker chilli, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes to an hour of cooking to let the chilli thicken. Alternatively, mashing some of the beans with a potato masher can also help thicken the chilli.
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Cooking method

Firstly, sauté your ground turkey in a skillet until it is cooked all the way through and golden, then set it aside. You can add onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until soft before removing from the heat. Next, add a splash of olive oil to the skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the turkey and season with salt and black pepper.

Now, add all the ingredients to the crockpot. This includes the cooked turkey and onion mixture, as well as your desired beans, vegetables, and spices. You can use kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, or a combination of these. Vegetables such as onion, bell pepper, and garlic can be added, and spices like chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, paprika, and black pepper will add flavour and heat. You can also add chicken broth, chopped tomatoes, and tomato paste to enhance the flavour and texture.

Stir all the ingredients in the crockpot to combine them well. Set the crockpot to cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. If you prefer a thicker chilli, you can leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes to an hour of cooking to reduce the liquid and thicken the consistency.

Once the chilli is cooked, serve it with your favourite toppings. Popular options include shredded cheese, sour cream, Greek yoghurt, avocado, cilantro, and tortilla chips. You can also adjust the spiciness to your taste by adding extra cayenne pepper or hot sauce. Enjoy your hearty and healthy turkey chilli!

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Toppings and customisation

Cheese

Shredded cheese is a classic topping for chilli. Mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, pepper jack, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheese are all great options. You can also get creative and melt cheddar cheese on tostitos chips and then add the chilli on top for a delicious snack.

Sour Cream/Greek Yogurt

The cold, creamy tang of sour cream or Greek yogurt can help balance the warmth and spice of the chilli.

Onions

Chopped white or green onions add a fresh flavour to the dish. If you're looking for a milder onion flavour, you can cook the onions before adding them to the crockpot, or you can add them raw to the topping bar.

Cilantro

Cilantro is a popular topping for Tex Mex dishes and can add a fresh flavour to your chilli.

Avocado

Avocado provides a creamy texture and helps to balance the heat of the chilli.

Tortillas

A stack of fresh flour tortillas can be a great side to your chilli, or you can get creative and use them as a base for nachos, adding the chilli on top.

Chips

Homemade tortilla chips or Fritos can be a perfect crunchy addition to your chilli.

Rice

Serving chilli over white rice is a great way to stretch the dish and feed a larger group.

Spices

If you like your chilli spicy, you can add extra cayenne pepper, sliced jalapeños, or hot sauce. For a milder flavour, omit the cayenne pepper and use a milder variety of chilli powder.

Vegetables

You can add a variety of vegetables to your crockpot turkey chilli, such as corn, peppers, diced zucchini, diced sweet potato, or butternut squash. If using fresh vegetables, add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking to avoid overcooking.

Remember, the beauty of toppings and customisation is that you can get creative and make the dish your own!

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Storage and reheating

Storing your delicious crockpot turkey chilli is easy. If you want to eat it within the next few days, let the chilli cool down and then place it in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will stay good for up to five days.

If you want to freeze your chilli, let it cool to room temperature and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It will keep well in the freezer for up to three to four months.

To reheat your chilli, take it out of the freezer and let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then, pour the chilli into a large pot and heat over medium heat for around 20 minutes, or until it is warmed through.

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Nutritional information

Crockpot turkey chilli is a nutritious meal option, packed with veggies, lean protein, and fibre. The nutritional information for crockpot turkey chilli will vary depending on the specific ingredients used and the quantities. However, a serving size of 125kcal typically includes the following:

  • Carbohydrates: 5g
  • Protein: 22g
  • Fat: 2g, including 1g of Saturated Fat, and 1g each of Polyunsaturated and Monounsaturated Fat.
  • Cholesterol: 50mg
  • Sodium: 310mg
  • Potassium: 362mg
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Vitamin A: 510IU
  • Vitamin C: 2mg
  • Calcium: 24mg
  • Iron: 2mg

The lean ground turkey provides protein, while beans add fibre and texture to the dish. The spices used, such as chilli powder, cumin, and oregano, enhance the flavour and also provide antioxidants. Additionally, the option of adding vegetables like zucchini, corn, peppers, and tomatoes boosts the nutritional value with vitamins and minerals.

To customise the nutritional profile, various ingredients can be added or adjusted. For example, using chicken broth instead of beef adds flavour and creates a less thick texture. Substituting kidney beans with pinto beans or doubling up on black beans is another option. Fresh veggies can be added towards the end of cooking to retain their texture and nutritional content. Creating a topping bar with options like cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, onions, cilantro, and avocado allows for personalised nutrition and flavour preferences.

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Frequently asked questions

It takes 6-8 hours on low heat or 3-4 hours on high heat.

You will need ground turkey, onion, beans, chicken broth, and spices such as chilli powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. You can also add fresh vegetables such as bell peppers and tomatoes.

First, sauté the ground turkey in a skillet until it is cooked through. Then, add all the ingredients to the crock pot, including the spices, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. If you want a thicker chilli, leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes to an hour of cooking.

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