April is far more cold than I ever expected it to be, and I'm feeling a little homesick with finals coming up. So, when you can't exactly spend a few hours at home to enjoy truly good meals, or spend money out to eat at a restaurant, I offer you my cure of a fantastic, dorm-cooked, Crock-pot Turkey chili. Turkey is less fatty than ground beef, leaving you a little healthier after all those gym workouts, and paired with the right ingredients, it has an unforgettable flavor you'll want to try again and again (or at least I do!). Disclaimer: I'm no professional. But? I love chili. And besides, who doesn't love to try a new crock-pot recipe?

Before we get cooking though, PLEASE take all safety precautions. Make sure you keep your fingers away from all knives, don't stab the cans if you do not have a can opener, and definitely make sure all cooking utensils and areas are clean. Your health and safety is much more important than eating bad bacteria faster.

Crock-pot Turkey Chili

  • Prep Time:25 mins
  • Cook Time:6 hrs
  • Total Time:6 hrs 25 mins
  • Servings:4
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 3/4 white onion finely chopped
  • 1 can tomato sauce
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 can red beans
  • 1 can black beans
  • 1 cup elbow noodles
  • 1.5 tbsp. chili powder
  • pinch salt and pepper
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 6-10 oz. lean turkey
  • Possible additions include:
  • 1 tbsp. cumin
  • 1/2 red onion finely chopped
  • 1 stalk celery finely chopped
  • Shredded cheese topping
  • Sour cream topping
Lia Coleman
  • Step 1

    Finely dice up the white onion and add to crock pot.

    onion, raw onion, onion rings
    Jocelyn Hsu
  • Step 2

    Open and pour into crockpot the cans of tomato sauce, diced tomato, black beans, and red beans. I highly recommend investing in a can opener!

    cherry tomato, cherry, pasture, tomato, vegetable
    Caroline Ingalls
  • Step 3

    Pour in elbow noodles.

    Lia Coleman
  • Step 4

    Add spices- chili powder, salt, pepper, and any additions you choose!

    spices, oregano, chili powder, cumin, Spice
    Victoria Hoang
  • Step 5

    Add olive oil to frying pan. Turn flame on stovetop to medium. Cook turkey until brown throughout, making sure to break up the chunks into small pieces similar to ground beef.

    meat, beef, oatmeal, ground beef, cereal, mince
    Alex Frank
  • Step 6

    Place turkey into crock pot and stir throughly.

  • Step 7

    4 hour cook time-- heat on HIGH
    6 hour cook time-- heat on LOW

  • Step 8

    Make sure to stir and check in on the crockpot every hour or two, and after a long day of classes, you'll be good to go!

    Lia Coleman

Roommate approved! Many thanks to my friend and roomie, Mary for being my test subject and putting up with me.

*If you try this recipe at your dorm, I highly recommend a can opener and a sharp knife. Use extra caution, but it will making cutting all vegetables a lot quicker and more precise. Also, please don't stab the cans. Many mistakes were made on my behalf while cooking, and as fun as stabbing a can is, it also could potentially mean a puncture wound your mom will NOT be happy about.

Try other additions to this! This recipe was fast and cheap, being that most canned recipes are under $1 at your local grocers. A touch of spice (cumin, cayenne pepper), an extra clove of garlic, a bit more onion, more peppers, etc. never hurt!