Slow Cooker Turkey Chili with Quinoa and Black Beans
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Rich in flavor, this Slow Cooker Turkey Quinoa Black Bean Chili is perfect for chilly nights by the fire, game days, or easy weeknight dinners.
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Packed with chili flavor, healthy vegetables, quinoa, black beans, and lean turkey. It’s a keeper in the cool season.
Plus, when slowly cooked, chili has time to develop flavors we crave in chili.
And it’s perfect for game days, Friday nights, or anytime you want a comforting bowl of flavorful goodness!
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili Ingredients
While the specific measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post, here is an ingredient summary:
- Ground turkey
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Bell peppers; one green, one red
- Garlic
- Ground cumin
- Chili powder
- Dry quinoa
- Salsa
- Chicken stock
- Canned black beans
- Corn kernals (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- Fresh cilantro sprigs plus more topping you love
Ingredient Notes:
Ground Turkey: I love to add lean turkey to this chili, but feel free to substitute your favorite chili ground meat. Ground beef and chicken work well.
Salsa: Much of the flavor in the chili comes from the salsa. Use a quality, flavorful salsa. I’m partial to my Homemade Salsa that takes literally 1 minute to make. I keep it in the refrigerator for quick snacks — and recipe additions.
Quinoa: Be sure the quinoa is well rinsed before adding to the slow cooker. Use whichever quinoa you have on hand. A tri-color is beautiful but plains work equally well.
Toppings: Top the chili with your favorite toppings like; cilantro, avocados, sour cream, red pepper flakes, shredded cheese, and a squeeze of lime.
How to Make Turkey Chili with Quinoa and Black Beans
This slow cooker turkey chili recipe is very easy to make in just a couple of steps. The ground meat used, along with onions, garlic, and peppers are sauteed before adding to the crockpot.
Step 1: Saute meat and vegetables
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and saute, breaking it up as it cooks; about 3 minutes. Stir in onions, peppers, and garlic and cook until the vegetables begin to soften; 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chili powder and ground cumin to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more. Transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker.
Step 2: Add ingredients to the slow cooker
Add the rinsed quinoa, salsa, stock, and black beans to the slow cooker; stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours and 30 minutes. One hour before the chili has finished cooking, add the corn and cook until tender. Season to taste.
More Recipes We Love:
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili with Quinoa and Black Beans
Rich in flavor, this Slow Cooker Turkey Quinoa Black Bean Chili is perfect for chilly nights by the fire, game days, or easy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped finely
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped finely
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped finely
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 3/4 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 2 cans (15-ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernals (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and saute, breaking it up as it cooks; about 3 minutes. Stir in onions, peppers, and garlic and cook until the vegetables begin to soften; 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chili powder and ground cumin to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more. Transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the rinsed quinoa, salsa, stock, and black beans to the slow cooker; stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours and 30 minutes. One hour before the chili has finished cooking, add the corn and cook until tender. Season to taste.
- Top quinoa chili with cilantro sprigs, lime, and sour cream if desired.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 406Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 835mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 6gSugar: 13gProtein: 28g