Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Find more recipes at fussfreeflavours.com

A warming bowl of rich ground turkey chili with rice, nacho chips and all the trimmings.

5 from 1 vote

Lean and delicious, this is a wonderfully flavour-packed and delicious alternative to beef chili.

Servings: portions

Author: Helen Best-Shaw

Prep Time30

Cook Time4

Total Time4 30

Ingredients

1 onion
2 cloves garlic
2 red bell peppers
1 tsp oil
450 g turkey mince
pepper and salt - to season
½ tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp dried mixed herbs
2 tsp cocoa
1 can tomatoes
1 can black beans - turtle beans, rinsed and drained
1 can kidney beans in chili sauce - or 1 can kidney beans and generous slug of chili sauce
2 tbsp tomato puree
2 tbsp pickled jalapenos

Optional

1 tsp cornflour/corn starch - optional, to thicken at the end of cooking

Instructions

Peel and chop the onion and garlic. Deseed, trim and chop the peppers.
1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 2 red bell peppers
Heat a little oil in a frying pan and add the turkey mince. Season with salt and pepper, and fry gently until browned. If liquid comes out of the turkey, pour it off and reserve it for later.
1 tsp oil, 450 g turkey mince, pepper and salt
When the turkey is cooked, transfer it to the slow cooker. Scrape the sides of the pan well with a spatula and add the scrapings too, as they will be full of flavour.
Now cook the onion and peppers in the same frying pan, adding a little extra oil if necessary. Cook gently.
When the onion is translucent and softening, add the garlic and cook for a further minute. Then add all the spices, and stir, cooking for another minute or two.
½ tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground coriander
Transfer to the slow cooker together with all the remaining ingredients and any liquid that you reserved from the browning turkey mince. Stir well and add a little water to loosen if needed.
1 tsp dried mixed herbs, 2 tsp cocoa, 1 can tomatoes, 1 can black beans, 1 can kidney beans in chili sauce, 2 tbsp tomato puree, 2 tbsp pickled jalapenos
Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook for 3–4 hours on high or 6–7 on low. I usually start on high for half an hour and then switch to low.
If your turkey mince chili needs to thicken when you are getting towards the end of cooking, either leave the lid ajar for 20 minutes, or mix a teaspoonful of cornflour/corn starch with a little cold water to form a slurry, before stirring it into the chili until it thickens.
1 tsp cornflour/corn starch
Serve your chili hot with all the usual toppings and accompaniments.

Notes

Variations

Add any extra vegetables that you like. Leftovers are great for adding to this dish. Baby corn would be great.

Ramp up the heat with a little extra chili powder if you like it really hot, but add it slowly and check as you go. If you add extra chili you may want to add extra salt for balance. A smoked salt can be used to boost the smoky flavours.

A smoked salt can be used to boost the smoky flavours.

Storage

This slow cooker ground turkey chili actually benefits from a little extra maturation!

Fridge – Allow to cool and then store in a covered container in the fridge, where it will keep well for up to three days.

Freezer – Pack into portions in stackable, sealable boxes and once cool, transfer to the freezer. Keeps well for three months. Defrost and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

To cook in the oven

If you don't have a slow cooker, simply follow the recipe using a good flame-proof casserole dish as a substitute for both the pan and the slow cooker. When you need to take the turkey out, set it aside on a plate and return it with the last ingredients.

Transfer to the oven at 160°C / 140°C fan / Gas 3 / 325°F and cook for two hours.

To cook on the stove

Use a good flame-proof casserole dish on the hob. Fry the meat and then set it aside. Continue to follow the recipe but add the meat back to the casserole along with the final ingredients. Simmer on the lowest heat for 90 minutes to two hours.

• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.

• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.