Slow Cooker Turkey Hominy Chili
Finally, winter is here. Of course, to go along with the cold weather, it’s time to pull out your slow cooker or instant pot and get cooking some incredibly hearty Turkey Hominy Chili.
You have lots of options when it comes to making your chili at home. If you’re the “set it and forget it” type, a slow cooker or instant pot is perfect for you. If you’re a bit more hands on, a Dutch oven is a great option. I like to use a Dutch oven when I’m feeling rustic, and particularly if we’re going to be eating outside around the fire pit, serving directly from the pot. They also tend to hold their heat really well, so keep that in mind.
But for those “set it and forget it” folks, Instant Pots are great for lots of functions, though most of us focus in on the pressure cooking aspect and may not think of it as a slow cooker, especially if you already have a slow cooker on hand.
Slow Cooking Tips
Be sure to use the correct size slow cooker. Believe it or not, size matters and if you decide to use a huge or a tiny slow cooker, this effects how your recipe will cook, so pay attention to the size of your equipment . You can readily use a 4-6 quart slow cooker interchangeably, but don’t even think about going from and 8 to a 2 without adjusting the recipe.
No peeking allowed! Every time you remove the lid from the slow cooker during the cooking process, you add 20-30 minutes of cooking time. I used to go crazy lifting thee lid when I would come home from school and my mom had something marvelous brewing, but somehow it always took a little longer. I don’t make the rules!
Do not fill your slow cooker to the brim. You’re going to want to leave a bit of room, so don’t fill your cooker more than 3/4 full.
Food safety matters! Don’t cook items from frozen because the lower temps mean they food will stay in the danger zone much longer, potentially creating a food poisoned dinner…yuk! It’s better to cook for the full time, then have your cooker shift into warm mode t maintain a safe temperature.
Red meat takes longer to cook than white meat, and dark meat takes a bit longer than white. Plan accordingly.
Make sure your cooker is in good working order. We’ve all seen This is Us and know all about the fire hazard the old slow cooker created. Be sure to operate safely. In fact, maybe it’s time to treat yourself! I really like this one, and it’s the perfect size as your nest empties.
Turkey Hominy Chili
I’ve given you the full recipe below, mostly because this one is a win and freezes beautifully. You can always cut it in half if that’s your vibe, but I adore having food in the freezer ready to go. Also, turkey thighs generally come two to a pack, so you may as well use them both! Don’t forget to remove and discard the skin because it doesn’t really add anything here.
Give this a try, garnish with avocado and cilantro (if you like it), nestle in on the couch, and let me know what you think. It’s good stuff.
Stay well-
Christine
Slow Cooker Turkey Hominy Chili
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 4 ounce can green chilies
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or more, according to taste
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 turkey thighs, skin removed
- 2 15 ounce cans white hominy drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except for the turkey thighs and hominy into a 4 or 5 quart slow cooker and stir to combine. Place the skinned turkey thighs into the mixture and submerge. Place the lid on the slow cooker and set on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, or until the meat pulls easily from the bone. Do not remove the lid during the cooking process, no matter how delicious it smells (each time the lid is removed during cooking, it adds 20-30 minutes to the cooking cycle).
- Remove the thighs to a cutting board and remove the bones. Using two forks, shred the meat and return to the cooker, along with any accumulated juices and drained hominy, stirring well to combine. Allow hominy to warm through, about 10-15 minutes, then serve.
Notes
Slow Cooking Tips
- Be sure to use the correct size slow cooker. Believe it or not, size matters and if you decide to use a huge or a tiny slow cooker, this effects how your recipe will cook, so pay attention to the size of your equipment . You can readily use a 4-6 quart slow cooker interchangeably, but don’t even think about going from and 8 to a 2 without adjusting the recipe.
- No peeking allowed! Every time you remove the lid from the slow cooker during the cooking process, you add 20-30 minutes of cooking time. I used to go crazy lifting thee lid when I would come home from school and my mom had something marvelous brewing, but somehow it always took a little longer. I don’t make the rules!
- Do not fill your slow cooker to the brim. You’re going to want to leave a bit of room, so don’t fill your cooker more than 3/4 full.
- Food safety matters! Don’t cook items from frozen because the lower temps mean they food will stay in the danger zone much longer, potentially creating a food poisoned dinner…yuk! It’s better to cook for the full time, then have your cooker shift into warm mode t maintain a safe temperature.
- Red meat takes longer to cook than white meat, and dark meat takes a bit longer than white. Plan accordingly.
- Make sure your cooker is in good working order. We’ve all seen This is Us and know all about the fire hazard the old slow cooker created. Be sure to operate safely. In fact, maybe it’s time to treat yourself! I really like this one, and it’s the perfect size as your nest empties.
