Smoky Maple Bacon Slow-Cooker Chili

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 8 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
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This Smoky Maple Bacon Slow-Cooker Chili is a cozy, flavorful twist on a classic dish. The combination of smoky spices, maple sweetness, and savory bacon makes it perfect for any chilly day. Let your slow cooker do the work while you enjoy the mouthwatering aroma wafting through your home.

Ingredients for Smoky Maple Bacon Slow-Cooker Chili

The heart of this chili is the combination of hearty ground turkey and crispy maple bacon, which provide a savory base. The onion, garlic, and red bell pepper add depth and sweetness. Crushed tomatoes and kidney beans create the rich, hearty texture. The smokiness comes from smoked paprika and chili powder, while cumin adds warmth. A touch of maple syrup rounds out the flavor with gentle sweetness. Finally, chicken broth keeps everything moist and flavorful.

Tips & Tricks

  • For extra depth of flavor, try browning the ground turkey in the bacon fat before adding to the slow cooker.
  • If you prefer a thicker chili, remove the lid in the last hour of cooking to let some liquid evaporate.
  • Adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili powder to suit your taste.

Serving Suggestions

This chili pairs beautifully with a slice of crusty bread or a warm, buttery cornbread. For a fresh contrast, serve it with a simple side salad topped with avocado. You can also top the chili with shredded cheese, sour cream, or diced jalapeños for some extra kick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of meat?
Absolutely! Ground beef or chicken works well if you prefer a different protein.
What if I don’t have smoked paprika?
You can use regular paprika, though you may miss out on some of the smoky flavor.
How can I make this vegetarian?
Skip the bacon and turkey, and add more beans or some lentils. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Smoky Maple Bacon Slow-Cooker Chili Recipe Walkthrough

First things first, grab your skillet and toss in those chopped maple bacon strips. Let them sizzle over medium heat until they're crispy and irresistible. Once ready, scoop them out and set them aside for later. Don’t clean that skillet just yet; we want to keep those tasty bacon drippings for the next step.

In the same skillet, add a drizzle of olive oil and toss in the onion, garlic, and red bell pepper. Sauté until everything is softened and the onions are translucent. Your kitchen should be smelling fantastic by now! Transfer this aromatic mixture into your slow cooker.

Add the ground turkey to the slow cooker and cook until browned. You can break it up with a spoon as it cooks to make sure it's evenly browned. Once the turkey is cooked, stir in the crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, chicken broth, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to ensure it's all mixed together nicely.

Now, for the star of the show — stir in the crispy bacon bits you set aside earlier. Cover the slow cooker and let it work its magic. Set it on low for 6-8 hours or, if you’re in a bit of a hurry, high for 3-4 hours.

When it’s ready, serve it up hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Enjoy the fruits of your minimal labor!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to prep and let the slow cooker do the magic.
  • Rich, smoky flavor with a touch of maple sweetness.
  • Hearty and filling, ideal for feeding a crowd.
  • Perfect for meal prep — tastes even better the next day!
  • Customizable with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey
6 strips maple bacon, chopped
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained
2 cups chicken broth
2 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp olive oil
Fresh cilantro for garnish

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a skillet, cook the chopped maple bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, add olive oil and sauté the onion, garlic, and red bell pepper until softened.
3. Transfer the onion mixture to the slow cooker. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, chicken broth, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, maple syrup, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
5. Stir in the crispy bacon bits.
6. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
7. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

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