This crockpot leftover turkey chili is so easy to make. It is loaded with flavor and a wonderful way to repurpose your Thanksgiving leftovers!

Have you had turkey and stuffing for days now and are wondering if there’s any end in sight? Well, why not mix things up and use your leftover turkey meat to make this crockpot leftover Thanksgiving turkey chili?
This recipe also comes in handy when you wish to defrost any turkey leftovers from your Thanksgiving dinner later on. It’s the perfect thing to make on a cooler day.
This recipe is not only simple but it is absolutely delicious. I have started to make a batch each year after Thanksgiving and my family loves it. I love it too because it’s a healthy recipe (which is much needed after all the Thanksgiving feasting) and my crockpot can do all the work for me with this recipe!
What meat is best for this chili?
Dark meat goes really nicely but a blend of both white and dark meat is also nice. I’ve also used all white meat before and I’ve even used rotisserie chicken for this recipe and it was fantastic.
What ingredients do I need for this recipe?
To make this recipe, you will need:
- Shredded turkey meat: You’ll need about four cups of pulled turkey meat.
- White onion: You’ll need one small white onion for this recipe.
- Navy beans and great northern beans: The beans for the chili. You can also use other white beans, if desired.
- Diced green chiles: To give the chili some spice.
- Garlic powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme, and bay leaf: To season the chili with. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Chicken stock or broth: About 32 ounces, use low sodium if you’re sodium sensitive.
- Lime: You’ll need the juice of one lime for this recipe, it really makes a big difference in the chili.
- Green hot sauce (optional): To give the chili some spice.
- Salt and pepper: I recommend doing salt and pepper to taste.
What toppings go well on this chili?
I love to serve this chili with oyster crackers, corn chips, or yellow cake mix corn bread along with shredded cheddar and sour cream. Avocado and diced onion also go well on top of this chili.
What else can I do with leftover Thanksgiving turkey meat?
I love making this chili recipe with leftover Thanksgiving turkey meat but shredded turkey meat in this southwest quinoa casserole is also really good. I also like to shred and freeze leftovers.
How do I make this chili?
Spray your slow cooker with non-stick spray.
Add the onion and turkey first.
Rinse and drain the beans before adding. Afterwards, add the green chiles with their juice, and chicken stock.
Add the spices, hot sauce (if desired), lime juice, and water if needed.
Stir well and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
Other recipes that you might like:
- Yellow Cake Mix Corn Bread
- Crockpot Black Eyed Peas {Perfect for New Years}
- Copycat Panera Turkey Chili
Crockpot Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Chili
Equipment
- Crockpot or slow cooker
Ingredients
- 3-4 cups shredded turkey meat
- 1 small white onion finely diced
- 1 can navy beans rinsed and drained
- 1 can great northern beans rinsed and drained
- 1 can diced green chiles with juice (about 4.5 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- 1 carton chicken stock or broth about 32 ounces
- 1 bay leaf remove before serving
- the juice of one small lime
- 1 tablespoon green hot sauce (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
For Serving (optional)
- sour cream
- shredded cheese
- diced onion
- corn bread
- corn chips
Instructions
- Begin by spraying your slow cooker with non-stick spray.
- Add the onion and turkey first. Rinse and drain the beans before adding. Afterwards, add the green chiles with their juice, and chicken stock
- Next, add the spices, hot sauce (if desired), lime juice, and water if needed. Stir well and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Abby
This looks super delicious! I don’t have a crockpot but I’m determined to try it out in some other way!
Jen
This sounds so good! It can be hard to figure out creative things to do with the extra turkey. Thanks for the suggestion!
Lauren Knips
I love creative ways to use up all that left over turkey. We are a small family so we always have lots of turkey after Thanksgiving.
Kimmy
This looks super delicious and anything that pairs with cornbread is a win in my book! I’ll have to try this recipe out this year.
Amy
That is a great idea. I usually host Thanksgiving so I have a lot of leftovers. Pinned!
Bri
Oh yum! Definitely making this this year!
Angela Fry
This looks so good. I’ll have to try it this year.
Eva
Love leftover recipes! Looks so yummy, will definitely give it a try! Thanks for sharing.
FOODHEAL
This is a great way to recycle a meal.
Laura
Always looking for ways to use up the leftover turkey. This is a keeper.
Emily Flint
What a great idea!! I’m always looking for leftover recipes and I’m so glad I found this one!
Sue
A perfect solution for leftover turkey!
Christina
So delish!
Jennifer Talley
This sounds easy and delicious and I can’t wait to try it with our leftover Thanksgiving Turkey!
michele
A new way to use leftover turkey!
Magali
It was so delicious. Thanks for the recipe!
Chef Dennis
what a perfect recipe for this time of year. I’ll be making it soon!
Kerri
It’s always chili season in our house! I’ve been looking for more slow cooker recipes and love this!
Debar
Excellent idea. Pinning onto my thanksgiving board. I purposely buy a large turkey just so I can make stuff like this.
Lilly
I am so excited to try this recipe! I’ll have plenty of left over turkey soon!
dorry
this looks yum. want to try it too
Christina
Yum!
The Southern Thing
This looks delicious and a great way to put leftovers to use!
Kasy Allen
What a great way to get rid of Thanksgiving leftovers!
CC
I’m a huge fan of turkey chili, and this is such a great recipe to use the leftover instead of throwing it away. I pinned this, I must try.