Slow Cooker Turkey Butternut Squash Chili
A rich, comforting slow-cooked chili featuring lean ground turkey, sweet butternut squash, sweet potato, and colorful bell peppers. Warm spices like cinnamon and cumin add deep fall flavor to this freezer-friendly meal.
Prep
15 min
Cook
360 min
Total
375 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Katie + Lila
Katie created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthEveryday strength
Support the basics consistently
A nourishing meal supports the protein, energy and overall nutrition that help you keep showing up for daily movement.
Notice: energy for movement
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
Comfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
360 min
Total
375 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 9 steps complete
Next: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat…
- 01
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat…
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F (190°C) and add 1 tsp olive oil.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Add the ground turkey to the hot…
Add the ground turkey to the hot skillet and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon until browned and no pink remains.
Look for: browned and no pink remains
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Transfer the cooked turkey into the slow…
Transfer the cooked turkey into the slow cooker insert.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Add the diced sweet potato
Add the diced sweet potato, diced butternut squash, diced red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the slow cooker.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken…
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth.
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Sprinkle the chili powder
Sprinkle the chili powder, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, and salt over the ingredients.
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Stir all ingredients thoroughly until evenly combined…
Stir all ingredients thoroughly until evenly combined and the spices are distributed.
Look for: evenly combined and the spices are distributed
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Cover with the lid and set the…
Cover with the lid and set the slow cooker to cook on LOW for 6 hours (or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours) until the squash and sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
Look for: the squash and sweet potatoes are fork-tender
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Stir gently before serving hot
Stir gently before serving hot, or divide into freezer-safe containers for future meal prep.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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