Two-Bean Spicy Turkey Chili is a hearty and healthy crock pot recipe made with ground turkey, kidney and pinto beans and chipotles in adobo for some spice!
Update: This recipe was originally posted in October 2016. The recipe and photos have been updated and republished in October 2021.
I have made probably close to 50 different chili recipes, but this spicy two-bean turkey chili is hands down the favorite for both Tom and I. The first time I made this I figured that Tom wasn't going to like it. He isn't a fan of ground turkey because he thinks it's too dry. So imagine my surprise when he told me that he thought this was the best chili I've made! Now it's pretty much the only chili that I'll make.
What is two-bean spicy turkey chili?
I don't know about you, but I like my chili to be spicy. This healthy turkey chili recipe is made using chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, which are smoked and dried jalapenos that are canned in a tomato-vinegar-garlic puree. Two types of beans, kidney and pinto, are mixed into this chili, along with a handful of seasonings, garlic, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. And the best part? This turkey chili is made in the slow cooker!
Ingredients in this recipe
- ground turkey
- onion
- diced tomatoes
- tomato sauce
- kidney beans
- pinto beans
- chipotles in adobo sauce
- garlic
- chili powder
- cumin
- dried oregano
- salt and pepper
- toppings: pickled jalapenos, cheddar cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, sliced avocado
Instructions for this recipe
First, add your ingredients to a slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney and pinto beans (drained) and chipotles in adobo sauce to a slow cooker. (To make clean up easier, I use a slow cooker liner.) Then combine your spices - chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
Then cook your ground turkey. Add ground turkey to a skillet over medium high heat and cook, crumbling, until browned and cooked through. Then add in the onion and garlic and cook for a minute more. After that, add the dried spices to the turkey and stir to combine.
Next, mix in the turkey mixture. Add the turkey mixture to the slow cooker and stir until everything is combined. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours.
Finally, serve the chili. Divide the chili into bowls and top with pickled jalapenos, cheddar cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, sliced avocado or your favorite chili toppings. Serve with crackers or bread!
Substitutions for turkey chili
- Turkey: ground turkey can be replaced with ground beef or even ground pork or chicken
- Beans: use dark and light kidney beans, black beans, or northern beans in this recipe instead
- Chipotles: if smoked heat isn't your thing, add 1-2 tablespoons of hot sauce to this recipe instead, or use a fresh jalapeno, crushed red pepper flakes, or cayenne powder
FAQ's for this recipe
Yes! Cook and cool chili, then store in an air-tight container for 3-4 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge before heating on the stove or in the microwave.
Chili will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge.
Yes - use the sauté feature to cook the ground turkey, onions and garlic. Add the seasonings, then add the remaining ingredients into the instant pot and cook for 20 minutes on manual. Use the quick release.
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Recipe
Two-Bean Spicy Turkey Chili
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey lean
- 1 medium white onion diced
- 2 tablespoon garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 15 oz pinto beans drained
- 15 oz kidney beans drained
- 15 oz diced tomatoes
- 24 oz tomato sauce
- 2 whole chipotles in adobo diced
Instructions
- Add pinto beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and chipotles in adobo to a slow cooker. (For easier cleanup, I use a slow cooker liner)
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, add the ground turkey and cook, crumbling until browned. Then add the garlic and onion and cook for another minute.
- Mix together the chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, salt and pepper and sprinkle over the ground turkey mixture. Stir until combined.
- Add the turkey mixture to the slow cooker and stir until all ingredients are combined.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Divide turkey chili into bowls and top with shredded cheese, pickled jalapeno slices, sour cream, fresh chopped cilantro, or sliced avocado if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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