Fall Comfort Food

Ahhhh….a crisp, windy autumn weekend calls for sweaters, scarves, hikes in the woods, and comfort food! I wanted to share with you a favorite comfort food recipe – my friend Karen’s turkey chili recipe. I use the term “recipe” loosely because I don’t follow recipes exactly, but with this recipe, it’s all good. So good that I made this for our station chili cook-off!

When company comes over, it’s super easy to throw in the crockpot. You can add your own special touches to make it just the way you like it. When I make it, I add whatever I feel like to it, because why wouldn’t I? Usually, a can of black beans, extra sugar, another pound of ground turkey meat, and some special seasoning – a sprinkle of McCormick’s Smoked Maple seasoning is nice on top after it’s simmered in the slow cooker for a bit. I lost the station chili cook-off, but I won my husband’s heart with this chili.

Karen’s Turkey Chili

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey ( or 2 pounds)
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cans of stewed tomatoes
• 2 cans kidney beans
• 1 can black beans
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder (or a lot more)

Brown the turkey and the onions, add the spices, and then throw it all in the slow cooker to cook nice and slow. Top with cheese and sour cream. Yummy!

From my home to yours, happy autumn and happy cooking! Prepare your heart for lots of compliments…careful to deflect them so your head doesn’t get too large for the chef’s hat (or whatever it’s called).

This article originally appeared on SHINE Daily on November 1, 2019, and was revised on October 13, 2025.