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Cozy Friendsgiving Turkey Chili: Best Crockpot Recipe

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A comforting, slow-cooker turkey chili that balances ease with deep, savory flavor by sautéing aromatics and blooming spices before cooking. Perfect for Friendsgiving or busy weeknights, this recipe yields a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 cup frozen corn
  • Optional: 1 fresh jalapeño, diced

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and a pinch of salt; cook until translucent and soft (3-4 minutes).
  2. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add ground turkey. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until no longer pink and lightly browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
  4. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cocoa powder to the skillet with the turkey. Stir constantly for 30-60 seconds to bloom the spices.
  5. Transfer the turkey and spice mixture to a slow cooker. Add the sautéed onions and garlic.
  6. Add the drained kidney beans, black beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  7. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours (or HIGH for 3-4 hours). Avoid lifting the lid frequently.
  8. After cooking, check consistency. If too thin, cook uncovered on HIGH for 30 minutes to evaporate liquid. Taste and season with salt and black pepper. Add optional corn or jalapeños if desired.

Notes

Sautéing the onions and garlic separately prevents bitterness. Blooming the spices in the skillet releases their essential oils for deeper flavor. If the chili is too watery, mash some beans against the side of the pot to thicken it naturally. Always season with salt at the end to control sodium levels.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey chili, crockpot recipe, friendsgiving, slow cooker, healthy dinner, ground turkey, bean chili, fall recipes

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/cozy-friendsgiving-turkey-chili-best-crockpot-recipe/