Healthy Slow Cooker Southwest Turkey Chili

This healthy and savory slow cooker southwest turkey chili recipe is made with healthy and lean ingredients that pack a punch when it comes to flavor. I’m always looking for new recipes that allow me to sneak in fresh vegetables and this recipe is a great way to do that. The prep is minimal making it the perfect recipe for busy workweeks and it makes for the best leftovers that can be easily stored and reheated. The ingredients are easily customizable and adjustable for your own taste and preferences, making it a great option to add to your cookbook!

What You’ll Need

• Ground Turkey: You’ll need 1 pound of ground turkey. I usually be sure to get lean ground turkey. This recipe can also work with ground beef if that’s your meat preference.
• Chicken Broth: This recipe requires 2 cups of chicken broth. I prefer to get the low-sodium broth, but you can choose whichever you prefer.
• Diced Tomatoes: You will need 1-14.5oz can of diced tomatoes. I’ve always used regular diced tomatoes for this recipe but you could easily use seasoned diced tomatoes if you prefer a bit more flavor.
• Corn: I use 1 can (15.25oz) of corn for this recipe and typically try to get the corn with no salt added.
• Onion: I use about 1/2 of a yellow onion. Of course, you can add more or use a whole onion depending on your flavor preferences.
• Red Bell Pepper: You’ll need 1 red bell pepper, chopped for this dish.
• Garlic: I use 2 tablespoons of minced garlic. I purchase the garlic that is already minced, but fresh garlic can also be used.
• Taco Seasoning: I use my favorite go-to McCormick’s low sodium taco seasoning. You can use whichever seasoning your prefer or create a DIY seasoning with existing spices in your pantry.
• Oil: You’ll need about 1 tbsp of your oil of choice to utilize when cooking the ground turkey.
• Spices: You will need a number of spices for this recipe: 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tbsp chili powder.
• Optional: My household is not big fans of beans, but 1-2 cans of your beans of choice can easily be added to this recipe.

Southwest Turkey Chili Cooking Steps

1. Slow Cooker Prep: Spray the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or line with a slow cooker liner.
2. Vegetable Prep: Start by chopping the red bell pepper and onion as well as mincing the garlic if you choose to use fresh garlic cloves. Set the vegetables aside.
3. Heat Skillet: Heat the oil over medium-high heat.
4. Cook Turkey: Add the turkey to the oiled skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spatula.
5. Season the Turkey: While cooking the turkey, add 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp chili powder. Continue to chop and stir the turkey with the spices until there is no pink visible.
6. Adding Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Once the turkey is fully cooked, add it to the slow cooker along with the bell pepper, onion, diced tomatoes, corn, garlic, chicken broth. Top the ingredients in the slow cooker with the taco seasoning and remaining 1 tbsp of chili powder, stirring to combine all the ingredients.
7. Cook: Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours.

Considerations

• Meat: You can use different types of meat relative to your preference including ground beef or even vegetarian/vegan ground meat substitutes.
• Vegetables: As I mentioned earlier in the blog, you can easily add 1-2 cans of any type of beans according to your preference.
• Spices: While I provide measurements for the spices in this recipe, much of the time I use everything to taste. You can add more or less of each according to your own preferences. For example, you can increase or decrease the amount of cayenne or cumin to adjust the amount of spice level.
• Toppings: My personal favorite part of this recipe: The toppings can be completely customized to preferences! I always like to top mine with cheddar cheese, crackers and/or tortilla chips, and sour cream. Of course, avocados, cilantro, and different cheese types make great additions for topping this soup.

Storing the Turkey Chili

Once the chili has cooled, you can choose to store any left over chili either in the refrigerator or freezer:

• Refrigerator Storage: You can store this chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator and it will stay good for up to 1 week. To reheat, you can put it in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway through. You can also reheat on the stovetop by adding the leftovers to a pot over medium-high heat until it comes to a slight boil, stirring occasionally to ensure it’s is heated through.
• Freezer Storage: You can also freeze any leftovers to enjoy at a later time. These leftovers will be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, you will need to thaw the chili in the refrigerator and proceed to reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop.

I hope you enjoy this slow cooker southwest turkey chili recipe as much as I do! If you tried this recipe and enjoyed it, or have any suggestions, I would love to hear from you so feel free to drop a comment below. Be sure to follow Happy Sometimes Healthy on Pinterest and check out some of our other recipes here. We also have posts dedicated specifically to shopping the best kitchen supplies here, if you’d like to check that out as well!