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This easy 21 Day Fix turkey chili crock pot recipe is one of our go-to dinners! It’s super quick to throw into the crockpot, and it’s always a family favorite! Plus, you can top it with a little avocado, greek yogurt, or hot sauce to customize it!
As soon as Fall approaches, I start making this recipe, and we eat it all Winter long. It’s also great for meal prepping because it makes 6 servings and is relatively cheap when you’re eating healthy!
This slow cooker turkey chili recipe is 1 green, 1/2 red, and 1/2 yellow on the 21 Day Fix. It’s also approved on the Ultimate Portion Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, and 80 Day Obsession!
With that said — everyone that tries it LOVES this chili. So even if your family isn’t following a certain diet, we think they’ll ask for this meal again and again!
This and our Slow Cooker Chicken Pineapple Teriyaki are our go-to dinner’s right now!
Is chili better in a crock pot?
We personally think chili is better in a crockpot because it can simmer for a long time. The longer it simmers, the better the flavor meshes together and gets yummy!
How can I thicken chili in a crock pot?
You can thicken chili in a crock pot easily by mixing in 1-2 tablespoons of cornmeal to the chili. You could also use polenta instead if you wanted.
Once you’ve mixed either option in, let it cook at least 10 more minutes on warm to thicken up.
Can I make this 21 Day Fix turkey chili recipe on the stove?
Yes! You’d just want to cook your turkey (same as step 1 in the recipe card). Then, you’d add in all of your ingredients into a large soup pot and let it come to a boil. Once it’s boiling, turn it down to low and let it simmer. Stir it occasionally to keep the chili from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Just like with the crockpot, the longer you let the chili simmer, the better it will taste!
How to Make Our Easy 21 Day Fix Crockpot Turkey Chili
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell peppers and stir for 5 minutes or until soft.
Then, add in turkey and let it brown.
Transfer the cooked vegetables and turkey into a crockpot and add in tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, salt, and red peppers.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours
Divide turkey chili into 6 serving bowls and garnish with parsley or cilantro if desired.
Healthy Hack: Buy Pre-Chopped Vegetables!
We usually pick up chopped peppers in the produce section and chopped onions in the freezer section when we’re short on time!
We also have a full 21 Day Fix meal plan and a container calculator you will love!
You may also like our iced cinnamon almond milk macchiato, one pan chicken, green beans, and potatoes recipe or instant pot orange chicken! All 3 are 21 Day Fix approved!
Yield: 6
Easy & Low Carb 21 Day Fix Crockpot Turkey Chili
This easy 21 Day Fix turkey chili crock pot recipe is one of our go-to dinners! It's super quick to throw into the crockpot, and it's always a family favorite! Plus, it's approved on the Ultimate Portion Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, and 80 Day Obsession Meal Plans!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time6 hours
Total Time6 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped (or buy frozen pre-chopped onions)
- 1 medium orange or yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 lb. raw lean ground turkey
- 1 (28-oz.) can chopped tomatoes
- 2 (15-oz. each) cans dark red kidney beans, rinsed, drained
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- Optional 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp.salt
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell peppers and stir for 5 minutes or until soft.
- Then, add in turkey and let it brown.
- Transfer the cooked vegetables and turkey into a crockpot and add in tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, salt, and red peppers.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours
- Divide turkey chili into 6 serving bowls and garnish with parsley or cilantro if desired.
Notes
This recipe is 1 green, 1/2 red, and 1/2 yellow on the Ultimate Portion Fix nutrition plan.
You could also make this recipe on the stovetop. You'd want to follow steps 1 and 2, and then transfer everything to a large soup pot. Bring the mixture to a boil then turn the heat to low and let simmer. The longer it can simmer the better, but stir it periodically to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 246Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 84mgCarbohydrates: 16gNet Carbohydrates: 12gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 24g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
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We’re also obsessed with our vanilla Shakeology balls and Shakeology recipes!
FAQs
Stir in Some Beans
Instead, use beans in your healthy chili to add fiber and stretch your dish healthfully and inexpensively. You can use one type of beans, such as kidney beans or black beans, or mix several types for a variety.
Do I have to brown the meat for crock pot chili? ›
Do you have to brown the meat for slow cooker chili? Technically, no. The beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic will all cook in the slow cooker, but browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker brings much more flavor to the chili. You'll be glad you did—promise!
Is chili low in calories? ›
Chili can also be relatively low in calories, depending on the specific ingredients used and the portion size. Yes, chili can be good for weight loss. It often contains ingredients like lean protein, beans, and spices that boost metabolism. The capsaicin in chili peppers may also increase calorie burning.
Can you eat chili on a low carb diet? ›
Classic bean-based chili is not keto-friendly, as beans are high in carbohydrates. Luckily you can still make a keto-friendly chili without the beans. All of the traditional chili spices, such as chili powder, ground cumin and smoked paprika, are great flavor-boosters for keto foods.
What adds the most flavor to chili? ›
Elevate with Extra Flavor
Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.
What happens if you don't brown meat before slow cooker? ›
While searing meat before slow cooking can enhance flavors by developing a caramelized crust, it's not strictly necessary. If you skip searing, the meat may lack some depth of flavor, but it will still cook and become tender in the slow cooker.
How long can you leave chili in a crockpot on low? ›
The tomatoes contain sugar, which caramelizes in the slow cooker, and will eventually burn if it cookes for too long. Anything longer than 10 hours on low is risky.
Can you put raw meat straight into a slow cooker? ›
Gravy beef and chuck steak are great slow cooker options, as they are tough and rich in tissues that make for deliciously tender meat. Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned.
Does turkey chili have carbs? ›
Turkey Chili With Beans (1 cup) contains 19.3g total carbs, 13.7g net carbs, 7.5g fat, 19.4g protein, and 218 calories.
How do you fix bland turkey chili? ›
How to Give Chili a Flavor Boost
- Add something acidic. ...
- Try to identify what about your chili is boring. ...
- Add tomato paste. ...
- Drop in some chocolate. ...
- Embrace pickling liquid. ...
- Stir in some molasses.
Ground turkey, when compared to ground beef, has lower levels of saturated fat—making it a better choice for heart health—and is lower in calories. Lentils are well-known to vegetarians and are a solid option for adding texture, protein, and deliciousness to chili; plus, they're good for you.
Can you eat chili when trying to lose weight? ›
Helps with weight loss
Other studies show that chili peppers can increase metabolism and help you burn off the calories you do eat. While eating them by themselves may not lead to a significant change in your weight, using them with your doctor-approved weight loss plan may help you see results more quickly.
Is chili good for diabetics? ›
Some studies have indicated that the consumption of chilli-containing foods can influence iron absorption and affect serum insulin and glucose concentrations, which may help to alleviate diabetes or prediabetes.
Is chili high in carbohydrates? ›
Traditional chili recipes usually include beans, which are high in carbs and not very keto-friendly. However, you can easily make a keto-friendly version of chili by replacing the beans with low-carb vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini. You can also add some ground beef or pork for protein and healthy fats.
Can homemade chili be healthy? ›
In general, chili is seen as a healthy food since chili contains ingredients from key food groups. If you want to build a healthier bowl of beef chili, choose lean ground beef. Reducing the fat content in the meat is important for heart health and can lower your risk of developing diabetes.
How do you doctor up chili? ›
Fresh toppings are an easy way to add new flavor and texture to the premade meal.
- Adding beer to your chili can make it more complex. ...
- Mix in cocoa for a deeper flavor. ...
- Fresh, chopped ingredients are excellent chili toppings. ...
- You can also top your meal with cooked bacon. ...
- Roast and mix in some chiles.
Is chili OK for weight loss? ›
Helps with weight loss
Other studies show that chili peppers can increase metabolism and help you burn off the calories you do eat. While eating them by themselves may not lead to a significant change in your weight, using them with your doctor-approved weight loss plan may help you see results more quickly.
What can I add to canned chili to make it better? ›
Although canned chili will already have some seasonings, fresh herbs and spices will add bolder flavor. You can upgrade your chili using ingredients you likely already have on your spice rack, such as chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.