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Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Three-Bean Chili

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This easy, best, perfect family meal is a set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker chili made with lean ground turkey, three types of beans, and a smoky spice blend. It’s healthy, pantry-friendly, and won a neighborhood cook-off.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, only if browning the turkey)
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93/7 works great)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1.5 cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional for heat)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for serving)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for serving)
  • Shredded cheddar cheese (for serving)
  • Diced avocado (for serving)
  • Lime wedges (for serving)
  • Cornbread or tortilla chips (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prep your vegetables: Dice the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño. Mince the garlic.
  2. Brown the turkey (optional): Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if needed. If skipping, add raw turkey directly to slow cooker.
  3. Combine everything in the slow cooker: Add cooked or raw turkey, diced onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, minced garlic, drained and rinsed beans, crushed tomatoes, fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained), and diced green chiles (undrained).
  4. Add the spices: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using) over the top. Stir until well combined. If too thick, add ½ cup water or low-sodium chicken broth.
  5. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir halfway through if possible.
  6. Taste and adjust: About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning. Add more salt, heat, or let cook uncovered to thicken if needed.
  7. Serve and garnish: Ladle into bowls and top with cilantro, Greek yogurt or sour cream, shredded cheese, diced avocado, and a squeeze of lime. Serve with cornbread or tortilla chips.

Notes

For best flavor, use fire-roasted tomatoes and toast spices before adding. Add a splash of lime juice or apple cider vinegar at the end to brighten flavors. Chili thickens as it sits; add water when reheating. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chili, turkey chili, three-bean chili, healthy chili, easy chili, family meal, cook-off winner

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/healthy-slow-cooker-turkey-three-bean-chili-easy-best-perfect-family-meal/