Happy Monday, everyone – I hope you had a wonderful weekend!
I had a “me day” on Saturday which included getting together with some girlfriends in the morning then spending what felt like 2 hours at Whole Foods. Like I said – a “me day”! Grocery shopping is one of my favorite things to do, and when I get to leave the sweet babe at home and do it leisurely – umm, even better. ;)
We also grazed on Crock Pot Sweet Potato and Quinoa Turkey Chili all weekend long. I made a huge batch of it Thursday evening and it just got better and better each time I reheated a bowl!
Crock Pot Sweet Potato and Quinoa Turkey Chili packs a double protein punch from the addition of both lean ground turkey breast and quinoa. A little sweet from chopped sweet potatoes and a can of baked beans, plus a little heat from classic chili spices makes this dish ultra-tasty, healthy, and filling.
Plus, how you gonna hate on any recipe that calls for topping it with shredded cheese and tortilla chips? I must confess, making chili always gets me a little giddy as it’s basically an excuse to eat nachos. As if I needed an excuse, but you know what I mean!
Start by browning 1lb ground turkey breast with 1 chopped shallot in a large skillet over medium-high heat. I KNOW – I usually hate crock pot recipes that require cooking steps ahead of time, but it’ll only take a few minutes. Promise! Season liberally with salt and pepper then stir in 3 cloves minced garlic and cook for 30 more seconds.
Add the cooked turkey to the bottom of a 6 quart crock pot then add 1 large peeled then chopped sweet potato (about 1lb) and a bevy of chili-inspired spices including chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and red chili pepper flakes.
Next add a 15oz can of baked beans (I like ’em sweet) plus 28oz crushed tomatoes.
Finally add 3 cups chicken broth and 1 cup uncooked, rinsed quinoa. The quinoa will continue to absorb chicken broth as the chili cools, so make sure you have some extra on hand for re-heating.
Mix the ingredients together then pop the lid on top and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours. That’s it!
Ladle the hot and hearty chili into bowls then top with lots of shredded monterey jack cheese, crushed tortilla chips, and fresh avocado.
free email bonus!
5 Day Clean Eating Guide
Fresh and craveable recipes + healthy eating tips!
Crock Pot Sweet Potato and Quinoa Turkey Chili
Description
Gluten-free Crock Pot Sweet Potato and Quinoa Turkey Chili packs a double protein punch with the addition of both lean ground turkey breast and quinoa.
Ingredients
- 1lb ground turkey
- 1 large shallot or 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- salt and pepper
- 3 cups chicken broth (plus extra for reheating)
- 28oz can crushed tomatoes
- 15oz can baked beans (I like sweet baked beans)
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 1 large sweet potato (about 1lb,) peeled and chopped small
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
- Toppings: shredded Monterey Jack cheese, chopped avocado, tortilla chips, green onions
Directions
- Add ground turkey and shallot to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season liberally with salt and pepper then cook until no longer pink, breaking turkey up as it cooks. Add garlic then cook for 30 more seconds then add to a 6 quart crock pot. Add remaining ingredients, except toppings, into crock pot then cook on high for 3 hours, or low for 5-6 hours, or until sweet potatoes are tender. Serve with toppings. May need to add more chicken broth when reheating.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Warm, and ultra-filling – I hope you’ll love this chunky chili with loads of good-for-you ingredients!
You are using all of my favorite things here…the crock pot, sweet potatoes, quinoa and turkey! I love the idea of using quinoa in a chili…genius!
Thanks for a great giveaway!
This recipe looks awesome! I’ve never made chili in my slow cooker but clearly I need to now. Happy Monday!
I love the concept of the stirring crockpot. I tend to lift my lid and then regret it instantly! The chili looks yummy too!
i would love a crockpot, all the recipes I see using one look so delicious and simple.
Kristen, I love grocery shopping too and can spend an embarrassing amount of time at Trader Joe’s! (The sample guy KNOWS me, lol.) Glad you had some “you” time!
Love the idea of the quinoa in chilli. Adding it to my next batch!
Yum!!!!! Thanks for a chance on that great giveaway.
Love that I have all these ingredients on hand :)
How do you rinse your quinoa? I have had times where I feel mine still tastes bitter after rinse
I so have to try this! I feel like I have been in a rut with the same rotation of crock pot recipes lately but this one is different and sounds deeee-lish!
girl, you are on FIRE with these quinoa recipes! i am impressed! and a stirring crockpot? are you kidding me?
Thanks for inspiring our dinner tonight! All your recipes are so tasty! Wondering what measurements of the spices you use? Thanks!
So clearly I didn’t read the recipe at the bottom listing the exact measurements. Mondays…
Hehe, no worries! ;)
This looks amazing! I just picked up a huge bag of quinoa at Costco. I think some of it might be destined for this recipe!
mmmmm I’m loving this healthier take on chili — I will def be trying this recipe asap! xo
http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com
Yum this looks so good!
Perfect! Love sweet potatoes and chili with sweet potatoes is even better. The bonus is that this will be perfect for dipping those new Guac Blast Tortilla chips I discovered this weekend. Like I need an excuse to eat more of them ;)
I could really use this giveaway as my crockpot’s bottom fell out of it last night. Full. Of. Chili.
Kristin, do you remember your post with smoothie all over fridge/floor. I thought of you last night when I was covered from head to toe in spicy chili… which got in the grout, under the stove and dishwasher. 5 hours of cleaning later, and my kitchen STILL smells like chili.
Please, oh please, let me win this.
This looks so good and I love a crockpot recipe!!
Oh man, this looks good. There’s nothing like a warm bowl of chili, especially when it’s topped with avocado and tortilla chips. Puuurrfection.
I haven’t seen the guac “kale” mole at WF…what will they think of next? Gah, I love that place.
This looks amazing! Gorgeous photography :)
What a cool crockpot. I always give in and open up and stir the stuff in mine (naughty I know). I never would have thought of quinoa chili, looks so tasty :)
There’s just something so comforting about chili, and I love that this one is healthier! I’ll take any excuse to dig into my monster bag of quinoa. :)
And man, how cool is that Crockpot!!
So let’s just say hypothetically your husband HATES baked beans…is there another type of beans that would work well? Chili beans with no meat maybe? I mean…hypothetically speaking ;-)
Haha! I’d use a can of rinsed/drained black beans instead!
Love a healthier version of Chili!! BTW, not keen on baked beans, could you substitute black/pinto beans?
I would love this crock pot! thanks for the giveaway
Thanks for the recipe Kristin! I made it tonight and I am thoroughly enjoying it as I type this. Delicious!
I’m kind of a recent quinoa convert and am always on the lookout for new ways to use it. I’ll have to give this a try!
would love to try the recipe– looks delish! Also was excited to enter the giveaway , but can’t see the voting widget you speak of! Is it my computer?!?!
Hey Molly! Are you using Internet Explorer? If so, this widget may not show up on it!
I love doing any type of shopping sans children. It feels like a vacation lol. I used to hate just wandering around stores and now with 2 little girls I can’t wait to do it :)
Amazing looking chili and who knew they make stirring crock pots?! Genius :)
Thank you for making this giveaway easy to enter! I don’t like the ones where you have to have over a hundred entries earned! This is a beautiful crock pot and digital! My dream! Plus, the stirring would be great!
Quick (maybe silly) question:
do you need the stirring crock pot to make this recipe??
Also, how do you know which quinoa to buy?
Definitely not a silly quinoa! You absolutely do not need a stirring crock pot to make this chili – any crock pot will do! Also, you can buy any quinoa you want – I usually stick with the regular kind (not red, black, etc.!)
Oh you silly quinoa ;)
Bahahaha omg I am losing it!
Thank you for this recipe and also for the opportunity to win this Crock-Pot which looks absolutely amazing! Crossing fingers!!
Yum!! I may have to half this recipe, but it looks like a wonderful winter treat!
I’m always looking for new quinoa recipes, this is perfect! In fact, I have it in the crock pot right now and it smells wonderful. I didn’t use sweet potatoes as my husband doesn’t care for them and used pinto beans instead of baked beans. I’m sure it will be just as good. Thanks for the recipe!
What a wonderful idea- just think of all the fabulous things that go in without a worry.
Sweet potatoes in chili – I’d never have thought of that myself, but it sounds fantastic! I love all the colors in this dish!
Made this chili tonight and it was delicious!! Thanks for the recipe. Never thought to put sweet potatoes in a chili recipe before, but they tasted soooo good! Added a real creamy texture to the dish. I’m hosting a baby shower Friday morning and using all IGE recipes (Crockpot Breakfast Casserole, Semi Homemade Caramel Cinnamon Rolls, and Mini BLT Quinoa Cups). Looking forward to trying all of these recipes! Keep up the great work!! Love your blog!
Yumy, this looks amazing, and I am always on the hunt for new crock pot recipes! Thank you for sharing :)
— Alex at Brainy Girls Beauty
Thanks for this unique, sweet and spicy chili recipe! I made it last night, and hubby and I both loved it. We are glad to have lots of leftovers, and my husband said this meal needs to become a regular at our house! I read your blog all the time and most of the recipes I try are yours, so my husband and I both thank you for all the delicious meals we’ve enjoyed. :-)
This chili was fantastic! Thank you again for the recipe. Do you think it would freeze well?
I think/hope so – I’ve got some in there right now!
Great, I will give it a go!
Great looking chili!
Just tried this recipe! I added quartered brussel sprouts too and it was delicous!!! Many of my favorite things in this chili, and it wasn’t overloaded with heavy meat or too many beans! Thanks for sharing!
I made this last night for my family, but used left over chicken from a huge bird I’d roasted earlier this week. My 3 year old ate an entire bowl! He’s a great eater anyway, but he commented over and over again about what a great dinner it was. He thanked me almost ten times for making it. That is very unusual for him, so THANK YOU! At least one of those ten belongs to you for the recipe. I hope that Lincoln likes it as much when he gets older.
Made this last night-my hubby and I LOVED it!!! Super-filling and great for a cold winter’s night! I forgot to add the onion at the beginning so I sauteed it quick and added at the end-I think added a little more sweetness! Will be making more batches of this for sure!
WHERE is that placemat from? It is so cute! I’ve been looking for one just like that forever! This chili looks absolutely delicious. I think I’m gonna have to make some this weekend!
It’s actually just a swatch of burlap-y material from the fabric store! :)
[…] Crock Pot Sweet Potato and Quinoa Turkey Chili via Iowa Girl Eats. I’ve loved every recipe I’ve tried off IGE, and this one looks like another reason I need a crock pot. […]
Yum, this chili looks amazing! I made a similar one without quinoa but I will def add it next time. And Guac-Kale_Mole?! What a concept. I love it!
We made this today and it is wonderful! My husband is on bowl 2 and says “keeper”!
YOU SAY THIS CHILI SERVES A CROWD – WONDERING ABOUT HOW MANY SERVINGS DO YOU MEAN? I AM HAVING 9 FRIENDS FOR LUNCH – BEING IT’S WINTER AND VERY COLD I THINK THIS RECIPE SOUNDS PERFECT (PLUS WE ARE ALL TRYING TO EAT HEALTHY!)
I’D LIKE TO KNOW IF I’LL HAVE EXTRA FOR MY HUSBAND TO EAT FOR DINNER THAT NIGHT.
THANKS!
If you have 9 woman and a husband to feed, I’d probably make 2 batches!
[…] looks kinda different, but I LOVE everything that Iowa Girl Eats makes, so I’m trusting her and trying […]
Hi! So happy I stumbled upon your site. I’ve been trying to find ways to eat healthier and all the ingredients that you list here are conveniently the ones in my pantry! Would you be able to suggest other beans as pairings? Could I use great white or garbanzo beans and do they have to be baked first? My guess is no since everything is going into the crockpot? Thank you forthe recipe.
I would use cooked black beans in place – or even cannelini or Great Northern beans. Really anything you like could work. I might add a touch of brown sugar if you want the sweetness that baked beans bring to the chili.
Thank you for the suggestions, Kristin! I am going to give it a whirl. Excited! :-)