This crockpot turkey chili with butternut squash is the perfect cozy fall meal.
There’s just something about this crockpot turkey chili with butternut squash that feels cozy. I am obsessed with all things fall and this chili gets put in the crockpot as soon as the temperature starts to dip down even a few degrees.
Chili is one of my go-to recipes. Some of my family’s other favorites are this copycat Wendy’s chili in the crockpot and this copycat Panera turkey chili which can also be made in the crockpot. Yes, I’m one of those crazy crockpot ladies!
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🧾 Ingredients needed
For this recipe, you will need:
- Ground turkey: You’ll need one pound of lean ground turkey for this recipe.
- Celery: You will need one rib of celery.
- Onion: You’ll need one onion for this recipe.
- Canned tomatoes with chiles: Such as Rotel.
- Fire roasted tomatoes: You’ll need one can (about 14.5 ounces)
- Kidney beans: The beans for the chili. You’ll need one can of kidney beans (about 15.5 ounces) rinsed and drained.
- White beans: I used navy beans (about 15.5 ounces).
- Frozen butternut squash cubes: You’ll need about 12 ounces.
- Garlic, chili powder, paprika, oregano, cayenne, and cumin: To give the chili some spice.
- Chicken stock or broth: Use low sodium if you’re sodium sensitive.
- Salt and pepper: I recommend doing salt and pepper to taste.
🍲 How to make this recipe
Begin by cooking your ground turkey in a skillet over medium heat until it is thoroughly browned. Drain any fat from the meat.
Spray your crockpot or slow cooker with non-stick spray.
Add the diced onion, celery, garlic, and turkey to your crockpot.
Rinse and drain the beans and then also add them.
Add the fire roasted tomatoes and diced tomatoes with chiles (do not drain).
Add the spices and the butternut squash.
Add the chicken stock. If you intend on cooking this recipe for longer than 8 hours add a little extra to the mixture.
Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours.
💭 Do I have to use ground turkey in this chili?
This recipe is also great with ground beef (as long as it is lean ground beef) if that’s what you have on hand and you could even make it with left over Thanksgiving turkey. The combination of flavors really do work with different types and cuts of meat.
⏲️ How long to cook this recipe
I love that with this recipe your slow cooker does all the work. I feel like crockpots are seriously one of the most underrated kitchen appliances. They make cooking dinner so much easier. When it comes to cook time, you can cook this recipe on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours. If you need to leave the recipe on longer than 8 hours, you totally can! Just make sure it is on low and there is a little extra liquid.
👩🏻🍳 Do I have to brown the meat beforehand?
Yes or else it becomes too clumpy and possibly too greasy. I always recommend browning the meat beforehand. To save time, you could also brown the meat the night before and toss it in the crockpot with everything else in the morning to save time.
🧀 What toppings go well with this chili?
Avocado, diced red onion, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and corn chips all make great toppings for this chili. I also like to serve this crockpot turkey and butternut squash chili with a side of yellow cake mix cornbread. The two pair really nicely together.
🥡 How to store leftovers
Store any leftover chili in your fridge in an airtight container. It will be good for up to five days after making.
Other crockpot recipes:
Crockpot Turkey Chili with Butternut Squash
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 rib celery finely diced
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 can diced tomatoes with chiles such as Rotel, about 10 ounces
- 1 can fire roasted tomatoes about 14.5 ounces
- 1 can kidney beans about 15.5 ounces
- 1 can white beans about 15.5 ounces
- 2 cups chicken stock or broth
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 package frozen butternut squash cubes about 12 ounces
Optional Toppings
- sour cream
- shredded cheddar cheese
- diced red onion
- avocado
- oyster crackers
- corn chips
Instructions
- Begin by cooking your ground turkey in a skillet over medium heat until it is thoroughly browned. Drain any fat from the meat.
- Spray your crockpot or slow cooker with non-stick spray.
- Add the diced onion, celery, garlic, and turkey to your crockpot.
- Rinse and drain the beans and then also add them.
- Add the fire roasted tomatoes and diced tomatoes with chiles (do not drain).
- Add the spices and the butternut squash.
- Add the chicken stock. If you intend on cooking this recipe for longer than 8 hours add a little extra to the mixture.
- Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Sharlene says
Could you safely double this recipe in a regular sized crock pot?
Audrey says
I think a regular size might be too small to fit all the chili but you could double in a large crockpot 🙂
danyelle says
Love chilli! Gonna try this recipe
Jen says
I love turkey chili! This looks really good. I love hearty stuff like chili/soup/stews all year round!
Thehappymommie says
What a delicious recipe, Sharing this with my bestie she loves to have Turkey !
Kallie says
This looks so good! I love that you give tips on how to make it unique and the recipe looks easy to make. I can’t wait to try this when my family comes into town in a couple weeks!