Crock Pot Leftover Turkey Chili

This Crock Pot Leftover Turkey Chili is a hearty and flavorful recipe, which includes leftover roast turkey and red kidney beans. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 8 hours and 10 minutes—perfect for turning holiday leftovers into a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.

Crock Pot Leftover Turkey Chili Ingredients

• 3–4 cups leftover roast turkey (any skin removed)
• 1 cup dry red kidney beans, soaked overnight
• 10 oz can chopped tomatoes and chiles
• 14 oz can tomato sauce
• 3 (14 oz) cans chopped tomatoes
• 2 yellow onions, finely diced
• 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 celery ribs, finely diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon creole seasoning (or Season All)
• 2½ tablespoons Mexene chili powder seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How To Make Crock Pot Leftover Turkey Chili

1. Chop the turkey: Add the turkey to a food processor and pulse a few times until it breaks into small chunks.
2. Prepare vegetables: Finely dice the onions, green pepper, and celery. Mince the garlic.
3. Add everything to the crock pot: Combine all ingredients—except salt and pepper—in the slow cooker.
4. Cook the chili: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 4–6 hours.
5. Finish and season: Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Remove bay leaves. Add a pinch of brown sugar if the chili is too acidic.
6. Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings like sour cream, avocado, cilantro, cheese, or corn chips.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use canned beans instead of dry? Yes, substitute with one can of red kidney beans (drained and rinsed).
• How to make it less acidic: Stir in a little brown sugar at the end if needed.
• What if I don’t have Mexene chili powder? Mix 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, and ⅛ tsp cayenne.
• Can I freeze turkey chili? Absolutely—cool completely, portion into airtight containers, and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Can I use chicken instead? Yes, shredded or chopped cooked chicken works as a great substitute.

What To Serve With Turkey Chili

This hearty chili is even better with your favorite toppings and sides:

• Cornbread or tortilla chips
• Sour cream and shredded cheese
• Diced avocado or guacamole
• Fresh cilantro and lime wedges
• Rice or baked potatoes

How To Store Turkey Chili

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze in sealed containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Turkey Chili Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 358
• Carbohydrates: 29g
• Protein: 40g
• Fat: 9g
• Sodium: 607mg
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 9g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I skip the food processor step?
Yes, you can shred or finely chop the turkey by hand instead.

Can I cook this overnight?
Yes, set it on LOW before bed and wake up to chili ready to reheat.

Is this chili spicy?
It has a mild to medium kick. Add more cayenne or hot sauce if you want more heat.

How to thicken turkey chili?
Let it simmer uncovered for the last 30 minutes, or mash some beans into the mix.

What can I add for extra veggies?
Zucchini, corn, or diced carrots all work well.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Turkey Tenderloin
• Crock Pot Jennie-O Turkey Breast
• Crock Pot Healthy Turkey Chili