Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Using the slow cooker is one of my favorite home-cooking hacks since you can simply add your ingredients, set it, and forget it until you have a delicious meal several hours later. 

I tend to err on the safer side and never leave my slow cooker unattended, so making meals on a day that I am working from home or on the weekend is the perfect opportunity to have a homemade meal that can also serve as leftovers for days later. As a busy mom, I can use all the help I can get with easy, delicious meals the whole family loves, and this turkey chili is just that.

Getting nutrients with Crohn's or UC

The health benefits of this chili include using a leaner protein – turkey – that may help keep your protein levels stable (as a Crohn's patient, my protein levels always hover around the lower end of normal). Also, enjoying the vegetables cooked should make it easier to digest, with digesting vegetables being another common challenge for those with Crohn's or ulcerative colitis.

Also, there is no corn, dairy, or gluten used in this recipe, making it a smart option for those with certain food intolerances. I also enjoy serving this chili with a number of topping options so that my children and husband can top it with whatever they prefer, making it fun and delicious for the whole family.

Serves 6-8

Ingredients for slow cooker turkey chili

• 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 1/2 lb. ground turkey
• Ground sea salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 (28-oz.) can of chopped tomatoes
• 1 (15-oz.) can of black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-oz.) can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp dried oregano

Optional toppings:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Thinly sliced green onions
• Sour cream
• Tortilla chips
• Cilantro

Directions for slow cooker turkey chili

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add onion and pepper and cook until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add ground turkey and cook, stirring occasionally, until turkey is golden. (It doesn't have to be completely cooked through at this point.)
2. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in garlic and tomato paste and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3. Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker.
4. Add tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, and oregano to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours, until chili has thickened. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Garnish with optional toppings, if desired.

Crohn's and ulcerative colitis recipes

When it comes to cooking with IBD, we're all working from a different set of ingredients. Food sensitivities and dietary restrictions vary greatly from person to person, and there is no one diet recommended for Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. Check out our full list of recipes for more ideas – all from people who cook, eat, and live with IBD!