Give dinner a lighter twist with these genius ground turkey recipes made in a slow cooker. Our ideas for soups, sloppy joes, meatballs and more are perfect for chilly winter nights.
20 Ground Turkey Slow-Cooker Recipes
Updated on May 09, 2024
Healthy Turkey Chili
I’ve taken my mother’s healthy turkey chili recipe and made it thicker and more robust. It’s a favorite, especially in fall and winter. —Celesta Zanger, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
1/20
2/20
Slow-Cooker Lasagna
Total Time
4 hours 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Convenient no-cook lasagna noodles take the work out of this traditional favorite adapted for the slow cooker. It’s so easy to assemble for workdays or weekends. We like it accompanied by Parmesan bread or garlic cheese toast. —Lisa Micheletti, Collierville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 510 calories, 23g fat (11g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 1464mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 38g protein.
You’re going to want to try these other ground turkey recipes, too.
3/20
Slow-Cooker Pizza
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Always a hit at our church dinners, this hearty casserole keeps folks coming back for more. —Julie Sterchi, Jackson, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 780 calories, 41g fat (21g saturated fat), 192mg cholesterol, 1262mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 49g protein.
4/20
Slow-Cooked Turkey Sloppy Joes
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tangy sandwich filling is easy to prepare in the slow cooker, and it goes over so well at gatherings large and small. I frequently take it to potlucks, and I'm always asked what my secret ingredient is! —Marylou LaRue, Freeland, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 264 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 614mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 lean meat.
Still hungry? Warm up with more of our slow-cooker recipes.
5/20
Autumn Pumpkin Chili
Total Time
7 hours 20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We have this turkey pumpkin chili often because everyone loves it, even the most finicky grandchildren. It’s a definite keeper in my book! —Kimberly Nagy, Port Hadlock, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 281 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 468mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 7g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
6/20
Turkey & Pork Meatballs
Total Time
4 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Treat yourself to homemade meatballs, already simmering in sauce, at the end of a busy day. —Suzanne Wagg, Madison, Maine
Nutrition Facts:
4 meatballs with 1/3 cup sauce: 273 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 1049mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein.
7/20
Taco Pasta
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a nice little twist on a classic dish. If you love cheese, feel free to add more, and green peppers are a great taste if you want some vegetables. —Barb Kondolf, Hamlin, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 402 calories, 19g fat (6g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 1063mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein.
8/20
Southern Barbecue Spaghetti Sauce
Total Time
4 hours 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I revamped our favorite sloppy joe recipe into this thick spaghetti sauce that simmers in the slow cooker. The flavor is jazzy enough to be interesting to adults, yet mild enough for the kids to enjoy. —Rhonda Melanson, Sarnia, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup sauce: 336 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 516mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 5g fiber), 18g protein.
9/20
Slow-Cooker Turkey Sloppy Joes
Total Time
4 hours 35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The combination of chili sauce and ground turkey in these sloppy joes creates a delicious flavor. The avocado adds a special touch to the sandwiches. —Nichole Jones, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 515 calories, 25g fat (9g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 1231mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 5g fiber), 29g protein.
10/20
Butter Chicken Meatballs
Total Time
3 hours 30 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I love meatballs, and we love butter chicken. Before an appetizer party, we had the brilliant idea to combine these two loves, and the new creation got rave reviews! Want them as a main dish? Just serve with basmati rice. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 40 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 87mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
11/20
Turkey Sweet Potato Chili
Total Time
5 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Swapping ground turkey for ground beef lightens up this chili. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 243 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 606mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat.
12/20
Easy Slow-Cooker Tamale Dinner
Total Time
4 hours 20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here is a quick and easy dinner, which is very satisfying. No need to fool with corn husks here! My parents and friends often request this for dinner. —Laurel Lawshae, Round Rock, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 402 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 960mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 31g protein.
13/20
Deb’s Mushroom & Barley Soup
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
10 servings (3-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Nothing is more comforting than coming home to this rich soup! I prepare the ingredients the night before and start the slow cooker on my way out the door in the morning. —Debra Kamerman, New York, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 180 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 967mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 15g protein.
14/20
Effortless Black Bean Chili
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom found the inspiration for this chili in a slow-cooker cookbook. After a few updates, all of us love it (even those of us who steer clear of beans). We think it's even better served over rice. —Amelia Gormley, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 242 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 868mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 6g fiber), 20g protein.
15/20
Sloppy Joe Recipe
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You’ll love this quick, easy and economical dish. Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness, both for traditional sandwiches on buns or as a down-home topping for rice, biscuits or baked potatoes. —Laurie Hauser, Rochester, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 439 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1360mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
16/20
Italian Meatball ‘n’ Bean Soup
Total Time
5 hours 30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a taste sensation the whole family will love. —Amanda Bowyer, Caldwell, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 529 calories, 31g fat (11g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 1273mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 8g fiber), 27g protein.
17/20
Turkey Sloppy Joes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When we were first married and poor college students, I found this sloppy joe recipe and tweaked it. The fresh bell peppers give it a wonderful flavor. —Kallee Twiner, Maryville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 251 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 629mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable.
18/20
Spinach Turkey Meatballs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our children call these “Gramby Meatballs” because the recipe came from my dear mother-in-law. It’s a great way to make spinach palatable. I usually make a triple batch, bake them all and freeze the extras for a quick meal later. —Mimi Blanco, Bronxville, New York
Nutrition Facts:
3 meatballs: 234 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 121mg cholesterol, 568mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 medium-fat meat, 0.500 starch.
19/20
Turkey Sausage Cabbage Rolls
Total Time
7 hours 50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I practically grew up in my Polish grandmother's kitchen, watching Babci cook and listening to her stories. I made her cabbage roll recipe healthier with whole grains and turkey, but kept the same rich flavors I remember. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cabbage roll with 3 tablespoons sauce: 202 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 681mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch.
20/20
Upside-Down Frito Pie
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Using ground turkey is a smart way to lighten this hearty family pleaser! —Mary Berg, Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 524 calories, 26g fat (8g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 1662mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 41g protein.
