Some meals just hit different when the weather turns cold. A few years back, I (Shaym here!) came back from a weekend hike chilled to the bone. I had almost nothing prepped for dinner, but I did have a slow cooker, some ground turkey, canned tomatoes, and a bag of quinoa in the pantry. That’s all it took to create what has now become a SoolFood favorite: this Crockpot Turkey Chili with Quinoa. Hearty, healthy, and layered with flavor, it practically makes itself while you’re off doing life.
🌿 What Makes It Great
This chili checks all the right boxes:
- High in protein and fiber
- No beans, so it’s easy on digestion
- Hands-off cooking—just set it and forget it
- Perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly
Craving more high-protein, cozy recipes? Check out this Crockpot High Protein Recipes collection or our comforting Beef and Noodles Classic.
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
- Optional toppings: avocado slices, shredded cheese, Greek yogurt, cilantro
🧑🍳 Directions
Step 1: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground turkey until no longer pink. Add garlic and onion, sauté for 2 minutes.
Step 2: Transfer the turkey mixture to your slow cooker. Add in diced bell pepper, crushed tomatoes, fire-roasted tomatoes, broth, quinoa, and spices. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until quinoa is fully cooked and the chili thickens.
Step 4: Stir in fresh lime juice just before serving for a zesty finish.
Step 5: Ladle into bowls and top with avocado, cheese, or a spoonful of Greek yogurt if you like a creamy bite.
🔁 Make It Your Way
- Add beans if you want more fiber (black beans or kidney beans work well)
- Sub turkey with ground chicken or meatless crumbles
- Spice it up with jalapeños or a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
This recipe stores well for up to 4 days in the fridge and freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
If you’re all about easy, nutritious dinners, you’ll love this High Protein Burrito Bowl or Salmon Protein Bowl for another protein-packed hit.