October 25, 2026 Featured

Easy Slow-Cooker White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe

White Bean Turkey Chili is an effortless dinner dish prepared using a slow cooker. It becomes a weekday savior, allowing for minimal prep in the morning and a ready-to-enjoy dinner upon returning home. All it takes is a lime to be cut, an avocado to be sliced, and some cheese to be shredded for the perfect chili topping. This ground turkey recipe serves as an ideal choice for a cozy winter evening. Pair it with our Easy Buttermilk Cornbread!

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turkey chili in a bowl with a red and white napkin

First published November 1, 2021

Modified October 25, 2026

Why you will like this slow-cooker chili:

Healthier Option:
- Lean Protein: Ground turkey is a leaner alternative to beef, making the chili lower in fat and calories while still providing a good source of protein.
- Nutritious Ingredients: Often, turkey chili includes beans, tomatoes, and vegetables, adding fiber, vitamins, and minerals to the dish.
Flavorful and Versatile:
- Rich Taste: With the right blend of spices and seasonings like cumin, chili powder, and garlic, ground turkey chili can be incredibly flavorful.
- Adaptable Recipe: You can easily customize the chili to suit different tastes and dietary needs, such as adding more vegetables, adjusting the spice level, or incorporating different types of beans.
Easy to Prepare and Serve:
- Simple Preparation: Making a large pot of turkey chili is straightforward and doesn’t require complex cooking techniques, making it ideal for feeding a crowd.
- Great for Gatherings: Chili can be made ahead of time and kept warm in a slow cooker, allowing guests to serve themselves. It’s also easy to pair with various toppings like cheese, sour cream, and green onions, letting everyone add what they want!

Here is a tip: A 3 pound package of ground turkey is more economical than buying the 1 pound packages. This recipe calls for 3 pounds, and it fits in a slow cooker! We save the leftovers to eat for lunch during the week! It also freezes well!

Easy Slow-Cooker White Bean Turkey Chili Recipe

Ingredients for White Bean Turkey Chili:

Ground turkey: Adds lean protein and a hearty base for the chili.
Cannellini beans: Provides creaminess, fiber, and subtle flavor.
Diced chilis: Brings a mild heat and smoky flavor.
White onions (diced): Adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
Poblano pepper (seeded, diced): Contributes a mild smokiness and slight heat.
Garlic (shredded): Infuses bold, aromatic flavor.
Bay leaf: Adds a subtle herbal depth.
Ground cumin: Enhances warmth and earthiness.
Ancho chili powder: Introduces a mild, smoky heat.
Granulated garlic: Boosts garlic flavor throughout the dish.
Dried oregano: Contributes a fragrant, herbal note.
Sea salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor.
Chicken broth: Provides a flavorful liquid base for simmering the chili.

Instructions for White Bean Turkey Chili:

Cook turkey in a frying pan, crumbling into bite-sized pieces. You will need to do this in two batches to avoid crowding the pan.
Open the beans and add to a colander in the sink to drain out the liquid.
Chop the onion and pepper.
Shred the garlic. If you are using roasted garlic cloves, mash them in a small bowl.
To the slow cooker, add the cannellini beans, canned chiles, onion, poblano, and garlic.
When the turkey is cooked, add it to the slow cooker and stir in spices, salt, and bay leaf. Add chicken broth. Set cooker to low and cook for 8 hours.
Check for taste, and make any additions of seasonings as needed. Remove bay leaf and serve with shredded cheese and diced avocado, and a squirt of lime.

ground turkey and beans and a jalapeno and a bay leaf in a slow cooker

Toppings for White Bean Turkey Chili:

Lime: Adds brightness and a touch of acidity.
Avocado: Brings creaminess and a cooling contrast.
Cheese (shredded): Adds a mild, creamy richness.

Optional Toppings for Chili:

Sour Cream: Creamy sour cream gives the chili a tangy flavor
Cilantro: A brightness of green, and a cilantro flavor
Chili Cheese Fritos: Gives the chili a crunch and added flavor

Cheddar cheese for bacon and cheese muffins

ground turkey chili with white beans in a bowl with avocado, sour cream, cilantro and fritos

Together, these ingredients create a flavorful, hearty, and well-balanced ground turkey white chili, combining various textures and complementary flavors to make a satisfying dish.

Can I make this Turkey Chili without a slow cooker?

Yes! This Turkey Chili is easy to make in a Dutch oven on the stove! You can even finish it in the oven if you want!

1.Brown the Turkey:

Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium-high heat with a splash of oil. Add the ground turkey and cook, crumbling it into bite-sized pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink (about 5 to 7 minutes).

Using one pot here saves you from washing an extra frying pan.

2.Sauté the Aromatics:Builds depth that the slow cooker normally develops over hours.

Push the turkey to one side or stir directly: add the diced onion, poblano pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until the onion turns translucent and the poblano softens.

3.Add Liquids and Seasoning:

Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Stir in the cannellini beans, canned chiles, spices, salt, and the bay leaf. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil.

4.Simmer (Stovetop or Oven):Choose one method.

Stovetop Method: Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer gently for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally so the beans don’t stick to the bottom. Uncover for the last 10 minutes if you prefer a thicker chili.
Oven Method: Cover the pot with an oven-safe lid and transfer it to an oven preheated to 325°F (165°C). Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.

5.Finish and Serve:

Remove from heat and discard the bay leaf. Mash a few spoonfuls of beans against the side of the pot if you want a creamier texture. Taste and adjust salt and spices. Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheese, diced avocado, and a fresh squeeze of lime juice.

White Turkey chili in a bowl with lime and avocado and cilantro and cheese with a spoon of the soup

How to store the white bean turkey chili:

Refrigerator: Allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Place the cooled chili in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, leaving a little space for expansion. Label with the date, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating the chili:

Stovetop: For larger portions, reheat the chili in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Add a splash of water or broth if it has thickened too much.
Microwave: For smaller portions, transfer the chili to a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
From Frozen: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then follow the stovetop or microwave instructions above.