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If you are looking for an easy, hearty, and WW-friendly slow cooker chili, this 3-bean turkey sausage chili might be just the recipe you need. With just 15 minutes of prep, your slow cooker does all the work, filling your kitchen with the rich aroma of simmering sausage, beans, and tomatoes.

It is warm, satisfying, and makes the perfect healthy dinner for a cozy night in. This chili is also great for make-ahead meal prep since the flavors deepen as it sits, and it freezes beautifully for those nights when you need something quick and comforting.

Rod said it reminded him of being in a ski lodge, and Mom thought it was delicious with just a sprinkle of cheese on top. For us, it struck that perfect balance—hearty and filling without being too spicy.

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Mug of Three Bean Turkey Sausage Chili garnished with shredded cheese and cilantro
Crock Pot 3-Bean Turkey Sausage Chili

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick prep — just 15 minutes of chopping and browning before the slow cooker takes over.
  • Family-friendly — mild enough for kids but flavorful enough for adults.
  • WW-friendly — only 2 WW Points per serving in the current program.
  • Make-ahead magic — tastes even better the next day and freezes well.
  • Flexible — easy to swap beans, meat, or seasonings to suit your taste.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Hot Italian-style turkey sausage — leaner than pork but full of bold, zesty flavor.
  • Onion — adds a savory sweetness as it cooks down with the sausage. Any color onion will work.
  • Canned diced tomatoes — bright and tangy; fire-roasted add even more depth.
  • Tomato sauce — smooth base that ties everything together.
  • Canned green chiles, drained — mild smoky heat that complements the tomatoes.
  • Chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained — nutty and firm for added texture.
  • Black beans, rinsed and drained — creamy and earthy, a classic chili staple.
  • Pinto beans, rinsed and drained — tender and mild, rounding out the bean mix.
  • Chili seasoning mix — or your own blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano. I love the convenience of chili mix. (If you prefer to use individual spices I’d suggest 1-2 tablespoons chili powder, 1-2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon dried oregano)

How Many Calories and WW Points in this 3 Bean Turkey Sausage Crock Pot Chili?

According to my calculations, each serving has:

How to Make Slow Cooker 3-Bean Turkey Sausage Chili, Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prep the sausage and onion

This is a really easy recipe that requires very little chopping. Just a medium size onion (about 1 cup). I like to keep bags of chopped onions in the freezer for days when I don’t feel like chopping!

Canned beans, diced tomatoes and green chiles with an onion and taco seasoning for making chili.
3 Bean Chili Ingredients

Place the turkey and onion in a microwave safe bowl (affiliate link) and cook until it’s no longer pink and the onions are soft (5 to 8 minutes). Or if you prefer, in a large skillet (affiliate link), cook turkey and onion over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until meat is brown.

Cooking ground meat and onion in a skillet.
Browning ground meat and onion in a skillet.

Step 2: Add everything to the slow cooker & cook low and slow

Dump the remaining chili ingredients (excluding optional toppings) into the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 6 to 8 hours That’s all there is to it!!

Crock pot with three bean turkey chili from above.
Slow Cooker 3 Bean Chili

Recipe Variations

  • Different Meats – substitute whatever lean ground meat or combination you like best, turkey, chicken, lean beaf, bison, pork, sausage, etc.
  • Different Beans – use whatever combination of beans you like best. Choose low or no salt options if sodium is a concern.
  • Vegetarian/Vegan – skip the meat and add 1 to 2 extra cans of beans or your favorite meatless crumbles.
  • More Veggies – bell pepper and corn would be good.
  • Different Spices – Substitute your favorite package of chili seasoning. Spice it up with more chili powder and cayenne pepper.

Serving Suggestions

I love serving this turkey sausage chili with a handful of shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt (as a lighter swap for sour cream), and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or green onions. It’s also delicious ladled over a baked potato, spooned onto brown rice or quinoa, or paired with warm cornbread or a crusty roll.

For an extra boost of veggies, try serving it alongside a simple green salad or roasted vegetables.

If you’ve made this Crock Pot Turkey Sausage Chili, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

4 from 43 votes

WW Slow Cooker 3-Bean Turkey Chili Recipe

A super-simple, basic, no frills recipe, this slow cooker 3-bean turkey chili is a winner at our house.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 6 hours
Total: 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 10 cups
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound uncooked hot Italian style turkey sausage
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (14-15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (4-6 ounces) chopped green chiles, drained
  • 1 can (14-15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (14-15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (14-15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 packet (1.25 ounces) chili seasoning mix; (or 1-2 tablespoons chili powder, 1-2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon dried oregano)

Optional Toppings:

  • 1 Chopped red onion
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions 

  • Ideal slow cooker size: 5- to 6-Quart.
  • Place the turkey and onion in a microwave safe bowl (affiliate link) and cook until it's no longer pink and the onions are soft (5 to 8 minutes). Or if you prefer, in a large skillet (affiliate link), cook turkey and onion over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until meat is brown.
  • Drain any fat and scrape into the slow cooker.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
  • Cover and cook on LOW 6 to 8 hours.
  • Garnish with the optional toppings and enjoy!

Notes

Serving size: 1 cup
WW Points: 2
Check the WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app.
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
5 PointsPlus (Old plan)
Ground turkey can be pretty bland, so to make this Crock Pot Turkey Chili more flavorful, I used hot Italian-style Turkey sausage. Adjust the spices to suit your tastes. Chili powder is one of those spices that can intensify a lot during long slow cooking.
Recipe Variations
  • Different Meats – substitute whatever lean ground meat or combination you like best, turkey, chicken, lean beaf, bison, pork, sausage, etc.
  • Different Beans – use whatever combination of beans you like best.
  • Vegetarian/Vegan – skip the meat and add 1 to 2 extra cans of beans or your favorite meatless crumbles.
  • More Veggies – bell pepper and corn would be good.
  • Different Spices – substitute your favorite package of chili seasoning for the spices. Increase the spices and add cayenne pepper for more heat!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 213kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 1140mg, Potassium: 778mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 2098IU, Vitamin C: 31mg, Calcium: 105mg, Iron: 8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @simplenourishedliving or tag #simplenourishedliving!

Source: adapted from Skinnytaste

FAQ

Can I freeze turkey sausage chili?

Yes! This chili freezes beautifully. Cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave (affiliate link).

What beans are best for chili?

It’s really up to your taste! Black beans, pinto beans, and chickpeas work wonderfully in this recipe, but kidney beans and navy beans are also great choices.

More WW Friendly Chili Recipes

If you enjoyed this WW slow cooker turkey sausage chili, you might also like some of my other lighter chili recipes.

Discover More WW-Friendly Recipes

Make dinnertime easier with my Slow Cook Yourself Slim Ultimate eBook Bundle. It is packed with easy, healthy, WW-friendly recipes designed for busy cooks who love comfort food without the guilt.

About Martha McKinnon

Weight Watchers Lifetime Member, Yoga Practitioner and Blogger who loves to share her passion for trying to create a happy, healthy, balanced life in what often feels like an overwhelming out of control world.

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4 from 43 votes (36 ratings without comment)

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21 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I have made this so many times . It’s our go to chili . We serve it over pan seared polenta squares or 1/2 baked potatoes . A lot of carbs but soooo good . Balance with other lighter meals for the day .

    1. Hi Robin, Thanks for sharing your favorite ways to use this chili recipe! I very much appreciate it. ~Martha

  2. 5 stars
    After viewing this recipe I thought there is No way this dump and heat will taste good. Well as usual I was wrong. It’s way to spicy for us. I even did the min. addition on the spices,plain Italian turkey, mild peppers and it is way spicy but man did it taste great. Mucho, foaming mouth