Tillie Doyle
Slow-cooker turkey chilli is a hearty, healthy, and delicious meal that can be made with ease in a crock pot. With just 15 minutes of prep, you can have a comforting and flavourful meal ready in a few hours. This recipe is perfect for a cold day, game day, or any day you crave a warm and satisfying dish. It's also customisable, allowing you to adjust the spices and toppings to your liking. So, grab your crock pot and get ready to enjoy a tasty bowl of chilli!
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What You'll Learn
Prepping the ingredients
To prep the ingredients for your turkey chilli, start by gathering all your ingredients. You can use ground turkey, chicken or beef. For a lighter option, use 93% ground beef and make sure to drain the beef after browning.
Next, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the ground turkey in the skillet and cook until it is browned. You can also add onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent. If you want to add bell peppers, you can chop and sauté them at this stage, too.
Now it's time to prepare your beans. Black beans and kidney beans are a great combination for turkey chilli, but you can use any type of bean you like. If you want to add corn, frozen corn is a good option as it's convenient and holds its shape well when slow cooking.
For a smoky flavour, add fire-roasted diced tomatoes or a can of chopped tomatoes to add sweetness and texture. If you want a richer tomato flavour, spend some time cooking down your tomato paste. You can also add tomato sauce or tomato soup, but be careful not to add too much liquid, or your chilli may become watery.
To add some spice to your chilli, include chilli powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. If you want a kick of heat, add some cayenne pepper or hot sauce. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper to taste.
Finally, if you want to add some extra vegetables, try jalapeños, green chillies, or even some finely chopped kale for extra vitamins.
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Cooking the turkey
To cook the turkey, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the ground turkey in the skillet and cook until it is browned. You can also add onion and pepper to the skillet and cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 4 minutes. It is not necessary to cook the turkey through at this point.
Some recipes suggest browning the turkey first before adding it to the crockpot. This can be done in a skillet on the stovetop. The turkey should be cooked until it is golden. This will add flavour to the dish.
Once the turkey is browned, it can be added to the slow cooker. If using a 6-quart slow cooker, the turkey should be cooked on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. The longer cooking time will result in a more tender and flavourful dish.
It is important to note that the turkey should not be overcooked in the slow cooker, as this can make it dry and tough. The slow cooker should be preheated and the turkey should be added only once it has reached the desired temperature.
Additionally, the turkey can be prepared in an instant pot by using the saute option to brown the meat and then adding the remaining ingredients. The instant pot should be cooked on high pressure for 10 minutes and then allowed to release steam.
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Adding spices and seasoning
Spices and seasoning are essential to making a delicious pot of turkey chilli. The right combination of spices will give your chilli a complex flavour and a nice kick. Here are some tips for adding spices and seasoning to your crockpot turkey chilli:
Firstly, it is recommended to brown your ground turkey in a skillet before adding it to the crockpot. This adds flavour and texture to the dish. You can also add some oil to the skillet to prevent the meat from sticking. Chopped onions and bell peppers can also be sautéed along with the turkey to give your chilli a nice base flavour. If you want a little extra kick, you can add some minced garlic to the mix as well.
Now, for the spices. The great thing about chilli is that you can adjust the spices to your taste preferences. A good place to start is with chilli powder, which is a staple in most chilli recipes. Cumin is another popular choice, as it adds a nice earthy flavour to the dish. If you want a little more heat, you can add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. For a smokier flavour, try adding some paprika or canned chipotles in adobo sauce. Black pepper and salt are also essential for seasoning the dish to taste.
Other spices and seasonings you can experiment with include oregano, garlic powder, allspice, and even cinnamon or cocoa powder for a unique twist. If you want to add some brightness to your chilli, you can also add some fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley towards the end of cooking.
Remember, it is important to taste as you go and adjust your spices accordingly. If you prefer a milder chilli, you can reduce the amount of cayenne or chilli powder. On the other hand, if you like it hot, you can always add more spice or throw in some chopped jalapeños or green chillies.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time for crockpot turkey chilli varies depending on the recipe and the desired consistency. Most recipes recommend cooking the chilli for 4 hours on a high setting or 6 to 8 hours on a low setting. This allows the flavours to develop and the chilli to thicken.
If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can cook the chilli for an additional 30 minutes to an hour without the lid. Alternatively, you can mash some of the beans with a potato masher to achieve a thicker consistency.
Some recipes suggest browning the ground turkey in a skillet before adding it to the crockpot. This step adds extra flavour and can be done in advance to speed up the preparation process.
If you are short on time, one recipe suggests using the pressure cook setting on your crockpot to cook the chilli for 18-20 minutes or on high pressure for 10 minutes.
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Toppings and serving suggestions
Turkey chilli is a hearty, healthy, and delicious meal that can be made in a crock pot with minimal effort. While the crock pot does most of the work, you can focus on preparing the toppings and sides to elevate your meal. Here are some suggestions to take your crock pot turkey chilli to the next level:
Toppings
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese is a classic topping for chilli, but feel free to use your favourite variety.
- Cream: Add a dollop of sour cream for a creamy and tangy contrast to the spicy chilli.
- Avocado: Sliced avocado not only looks appealing but also provides a creamy texture and healthy fats to your bowl of chilli.
- Hot Sauce: If you prefer your chilli extra spicy, drizzle on your favourite hot sauce.
- Green Onions: Thinly sliced green onions add a mild onion flavour and a fresh crunch to your chilli.
- Crushed Corn Chips: Add a crunchy texture and a corn flavour to your chilli with crushed corn chips.
Sides
- Cornbread: Cornbread is a perfect side for chilli, providing a sweet and savoury contrast to the spicy dish.
- Bread: If you're looking for something to dunk into your chilli, consider serving it with a crusty loaf of bread.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 15 minutes of prep time and then 6-8 hours on low heat or 4 hours on high heat.
You will need ground turkey, tomatoes, beans, chicken stock, onion, pepper, and spices.
It is recommended that you brown the turkey and cook the onion and pepper before adding them to the crock pot.
You can use chilli powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Turkey chilli can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
