Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe (2024)

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This is the best crockpot leftover turkey chili recipe! It’s so easy to make and it’s packed with flavor. You’ll love this hearty, comforting chili on a cold winter day. This chili is made with leftover turkey, beans, tomatoes, and a variety of spices. It’s perfect for using up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas. And it’s easy to make in the crockpot! So if you’re looking for an delicious way to use up your leftover turkey, give this recipe a try. You’ll love it!

Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe (1)

It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and you have a fridge full of turkey leftovers. You want to make something delicious with them, but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. There are so many recipes out there for leftover turkey, but which one should you choose? And do you really have time to cook a complicated meal right now? This Crockpot Leftover Turkey Chili recipe is perfect for busy people who want a delicious and easy meal. It’s also perfect for winter nights!

This Crockpot Leftover Turkey Chili recipe is perfect for busy people who want a delicious and easy meal. It’s also perfect for winter nights!This recipe is so simple and you can easily have all the items on hand for a yummy meal the day after Thanksgiving.

You just need some canned goods, spices, and the leftover turkey. Plus any of your favorite chili toppings such as sour cream, cheese, crackers, etc.

I have this programmable crock pot which I love. Itcooks for the required amount of time than just keeps the recipe warm. This means your recipe won’t get overcooked. You can head out Black Friday shopping and come home for a tasty lunch! Be sure to check out the full printable recipe below.

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Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe (2)

Table of Contents

What are the ingredients for the best crockpot turkey chili recipe?

  • 2cans black beans
  • 2cans pinto beans
  • 2cans light red kidney beans
  • 2cans chili hot beans
  • 2cans fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1cupchicken broth
  • 1Spanish oniondiced
  • 1Tbspchili powder
  • 1tspground cumin
  • ¼tspcayenne pepper
  • ¼tspgarlic powder
  • ½tsponion powder
  • 1tspsalt
  • ¼tspapproximately freshly ground pepper
  • 3TBSPCajun spices
  • left over turkey

What is the step by step guide on how to make this Turkey Chili recipe?

  1. Skin and take the leftover turkey off the bones shredding into pieces.
  2. Put the turkey into the crock pot.
  3. Drain the juices out of the black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans.
  4. Stir to mix the ingredients.
  5. Pour the black beans, pinto and kidney beans in a crock pot.
  6. Add the chili beans, roasted diced tomatoes and the broth to the crock pot.
  7. Add the diced onion. Stir well.
  8. Add the spices. Stir well.
  9. Cook on medium for 4-6 hours.
  10. Occasionally stir the ingredients to incorporate all of the spices and other ingredients.
  11. Enjoy with sour cream, cheese, crackers or Fritos.

How long does it take to make this recipe?

It takes about 15 minutes of prep work and then the chili need to cook in slow cooker for 4 to 6 hours.

How do you store turkey chili?

You can store Slow Cooker Turkey Chil in the refridgerator or it is also freezer friendly. Allow chili to cool to room temperature. Portion into containers. Top with plastic wrap pressed onto the chili (to help keep out freezer burn). Replace lid and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat low and slow.

How long does leftover chili last in the refrigerator?

This chili recipe will last in the fridge for up to 4 days. Leftover chili should be refrigerated within 1 hour of serving to prevent bacteria growth. If left out for too long, leftover chili may begin to spoil.

This Crockpot Leftover Turkey Chili recipe is amazing. Not only does it taste great, but it’s easy and convenient to make too. Just throw everything in the crockpot and you’re good to go! If you’re looking for a winter meal that’ll satisfy your hunger—and leave you with leftovers so you can have another bowl tomorrow—you need this recipe on your list!

Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe

Author: Melissa

Ingredients

  • 2 cans black beans
  • 2 cans pinto beans
  • 2 cans light red kidney beans
  • 2 cans chili hot beans
  • 2 cans fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 Spanish onion diced
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp approximately freshly ground pepper
  • 3 TBSP Cajun spices
  • left over turkey

Instructions

  • Skin and take the leftover turkey off the bones shredding into pieces.

  • Put the turkey into the crock pot.

  • Drain the juices out of the black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans.

  • Stir to mix the ingredients.

  • Pour the black beans, pinto and kidney beans in a crock pot.

  • Add the chili beans, roasted diced tomatoes and the broth to the crock pot.

  • Add the diced onion. Stir well.

  • Add the spices. Stir well.

  • Cook on medium for 4-6 hours.

  • Occasionally stir the ingredients to incorporate all of the spices and other ingredients.

  • Enjoy with sour cream, cheese, crackers or Fritos.

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Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe (4)

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Comments

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  1. Jamie says

    Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe (5)
    What a great recipe idea for leftovers – looks yummy!! Thank you for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty

    Reply

  2. Cobus says

    Hi Melissa,

    Thanks for sharing! I was wondering… will it work with red meat (e.g. beef strips) as well? Think I’m going to give it a try 🙂

    Cheers
    Cobus

    Reply

    • Melissa says

      I have never tried it but I bet it would be good. Let me know if you try it.

      Reply

  3. Josie Hernandez says

    How much broth does this recipe call for? Didn’t see it on the ingredients list.

    Reply

    • Melissa says

      Sorry it somehow got deleted. Just added it back in. Just 1 cup of chicken broth. This is quite a thick chili though.

      Reply

  4. Village Bakery says

    I found this on Pinterest and decided to make it last night. It came out AMAZING! Thank you so much for this great recipe!!!

    Reply

  5. kendralyn says

    Is it spicy??? Looking to do a chili but not too spicy!

    Reply

    • Melissa says

      I don’t think it is too spicy but if you are worried just cut down the amount of cayenne pepper and cajun spices.

      Reply

Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you reheat cooked turkey in a slow cooker? ›

Reheating leftovers in a slow cooker is not recommended. Cooked food should be reheated on the stove, in a microwave, or in a conventional oven until it reaches 165 °F. Then the hot food can be placed in a preheated slow cooker to keep it hot for serving—at least 140 °F as measured with a food thermometer.

How long is leftover turkey chili good for? ›

How to Store & Freeze Leftovers. Leftover turkey chili will keep in the fridge for about 5 days. It can also be frozen for about two months. Thaw and then reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Why is chili better in the slow cooker? ›

The result of a long cooking time is extra tender meat and vegetables that marinate in the spices for hours, resulting in a fully rounded flavor profile.

Do you have to brown meat before slow cooker 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!

Can you put already cooked meat in slow cooker? ›

Do not reheat food or leftovers in a slow cooker; instead reheat on stove top or microwave (165 F or above) and transfer to slow cooker to keep warm (140 F or above).

Why not reheat in slow cooker? ›

This is a bad idea for two reasons. Firstly, it will take hours for the leftovers to reheat, which can create a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. 1 Secondly, placing a chilled slow cooker insert on a hot base may cause the insert to crack. (Never store a slow cooker in the freezer, which can damage the insert.)

Can I eat week old turkey chili? ›

How long will turkey chili keep in the fridge? To maximize the shelf life of cooked chili for safety and quality, refrigerate the chili promptly in covered airtight containers. Properly stored, cooked chili will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

What's the best way to reheat turkey chili? ›

The most popular ways to eat turkey leftovers are in a sandwich, soup/stew, chili, or casseroles like a turkey pot pie! How do you reheat turkey chili? You can reheat turkey chili in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. You could also reheat turkey chili in a pan on the stove.

Is leftover turkey good after 7 days? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

Can you overcook chili in a slow cooker? ›

Yes, but it would take a while. I have cooked this chili for 9 hours on low and it was delicious but ever-so-slightly burnt on the top. 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.

Should you stir crockpot chili? ›

Add all remaining Chili Ingredients to the slow cooker and give them a stir. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours (recommended) or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Taste and add salt/pepper/cayenne pepper to taste. Serve with desired toppings such as cheese, sour cream, green onions, corn/tortilla chips, etc.

Is it better to slow cook chili on high or low? ›

The Best Way to Cook Chili:

The low and slow cooking process melds the flavors of the chili seasoning into every bite and the beef becomes so tender, juicy, and irresistible. You can slow cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours.

Should I put garlic in my chili? ›

Many chili recipes call for ground chili powder, which is a mix of dried ground chiles and other spices like garlic and onion powder. But that doesn't mean you should skip using fresh garlic and onions in your chili. They add a depth of flavor the dried stuff can't match.

Can I leave chili in crockpot on low overnight? ›

'” So here's the verdict when it comes to chili food safety: You can leave it in the slow cooker for hours after it's done cooking if the cooker is set to the “low” or “keep warm” setting.

Does chili need tomato sauce? ›

Chili doesn't need to have tomato sauce at all. You can use the meat of your choice, some stock or beer, and spices, either a prepared blend or a combination of chili peppers, cumin, maybe some oregano, whatever you like.

How do you reheat a precooked turkey without drying it out? ›

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

How do you reheat leftover turkey and keep it moist? ›

Place the turkey pieces in a baking dish and drizzle with a few tablespoons of stock and/or butter. Cover the dish with foil and heat in the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave the sliced turkey (cover with a damp paper towel) in a microwave-safe dish at 50% power in 1-minute intervals.

How long to reheat sliced turkey in slow cooker? ›

Alternatively, you can reheat the turkey in a slow cooker. Cover the bottom of the cooker with gravy up to 1'' up the sides of the cooker. Place the turkey on top and reheat on LOW for 30 minutes. Set heat to “keep warm” until you are ready to place the meat on a platter and serve.

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