This Slow Cooker Turkey Curry is a comforting, hearty dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy meal to share with family. Tender turkey drumsticks, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas simmer in a rich, spiced coconut curry sauce. The slow cooker does all the work, allowing the turkey to become fall-apart tender and the vegetables to meld beautifully with the warm spices.
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This curry is an easy and satisfying meal, to have on its own or served over rice, couscous, or with naan for soaking up every last drop! Like this Chicken, Sausage and Rice dish, it's perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd, and the leftovers taste even better the next day. It's a one-pot meal that brings bold flavors to the table with minimal effort.
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Reasons to love this recipe
- It's nutritious: Like our Turmeric Couscous Salad Recipe, the lean turkey, protein and fiber-rich chickpeas, healthy sweet potatoes, and the healthy spices all bring so much nutrition to the dish.
- Convenient: With the slow cooker doing all the work, this is a set-it-and-forget-it recipe that lets you go about your day while dinner simmers away.
- Great for Meal Prep: This turkey curry reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or leftovers. The flavors deepen overnight, so it’s even better the next day!
- Perfect for Cold Weather: The warming spices and rich coconut sauce make this dish an ideal choice for cozy, cold nights when you crave something hearty and comforting.
Ingredients
- Turkey: Turkey drumsticks or thighs are the perfect cut for slow cooking in this curry. They are packed with rich, dark meat that becomes incredibly tender and flavorful as it cooks low and slow.
- Sweet potatoes: Like in this Meatball Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Butternut Squash, sweet potatoes add heartiness and nutrition to the dish. They will cook perfectly over the long, slow cooking time. I usually don't peel them and keep the skin on. Less work and more nutrition.
- Chickpeas: Chickpeas have a subtle, nutty taste that absorbs the curry's spices and flavors beautifully. Their mildness doesn't overpower the dish. If you like chickpea dishes, you should also try this Chickpea and Crab Salad!
- Coconut milk: adds a rich, creamy texture and subtle sweetness to the Slow Cooker Turkey Curry, balancing the bold spices. It enhances the dish with healthy fats and a traditional, dairy-free option.
- Diced tomatoes: Canned diced or crushed tomatoes add acidity, freshness, and a slight sweetness, which helps balance the richness of the coconut milk and spices. Tomatoes also contribute to the overall body of the sauce, adding thickness and depth.
- The seasoning: we'll season the slow cooker turkey curry with some curry powder, garam masala, ground cumin, turmeric, paprika, and, of course, salt and pepper.
see the recipe card at the end of this post for the full ingredient list and quantities
Substitutions and variations
- Turkey: Use chicken thighs, drumsticks, or breasts if turkey isn't available. Chicken thighs and drumsticks are great for slow cooking. For a heartier variation, try cubed lamb, veal or beef, which will also become tender with slow cooking.
- Coconut Milk: You can use heavy cream or plain yogurt. Be careful when adding yogurt—stir it in at the end to prevent curdling. For a lighter, dairy-free option, use unsweetened almond or cashew milk, though the curry will be less rich.
- Sweet Potatoes: Substitute white or yellow potatoes for a more neutral flavor. Or, use butternut squash, like in this Healthy Turmeric Oven Roasted Vegetables.
- Chickpeas: Use lentils (red or green) for a different texture. You can also substitute chickpeas with other beans like cannellini or black beans for a different flavor and texture.
- Tomatoes: Use 2-3 tablespoons of tomato paste for a richer and thicker sauce. If you prefer a fresher taste, use fresh diced tomatoes instead of canned.
- Spice Level: Increase or decrease the heat by adjusting the amount of hot paprika. You can also add fresh chilies for more heat.
- Add more veggies: Add cauliflower florets, and/or stir in fresh spinach or kale at the end for a pop of color and additional nutrients. Add bell peppers for a sweet, crisp texture that complements the curry.
Preparation
STEP 1: Layer the ingredients
Place the turkey drumsticks at the bottom of the slow cooker. Top them with the sliced onion, cubed sweet potatoes, and chickpeas, evenly distributing.
STEP 2: Prepare the sauce
In a small mixing bowl, combine the canned diced tomatoes, coconut milk, and all the seasoning and spices, except for the garam masala. Stir well to ensure the spices are evenly mixed into the sauce.
STEP 3: Add the sauce
Pour the prepared sauce over the turkey, sweet potatoes, onion, and chickpeas in the slow cooker, making sure everything is covered in the sauce.
STEP 4: Cook
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7 hours, or until the turkey is tender and fully cooked. Once cooked, stir in the garam masala to enhance the flavor of the curry. Optionally, sprinkle fresh cilantro on top as a garnish.
Top Tips
- Optionally, and if you have the extra time, sear the turkey drumsticks in a hot pan before adding them to the slow cooker. This step caramelizes the skin, giving the curry a richer taste and more robust texture.
- Control the heat to suit your taste. If you prefer a milder curry, reduce the amount of hot paprika or omit it altogether. For more heat, add fresh chili peppers or cayenne.
- Stirring in garam masala at the end of cooking helps preserve its fragrant, complex flavors. Adding it earlier can cause it to lose its aromatic punch.
- If you're using dry chickpeas, soak them overnight to ensure they cook through properly in the slow cooker. This helps them soften and absorb the curry’s flavors better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but make sure to soak the dry chickpeas overnight before adding them to the slow cooker. This will ensure they cook fully and soften during the slow cooking process.
Yes, this curry freezes well. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Let the leftover turkey curry cool to room temperature before storing. Then transfer it into an airtight container. Store the curry in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. When ready to eat, reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
Serving suggestions
Serve the Slow Cooker Turkey Curry hot or warm, with a nutritious salad such as this Arugula and Spinach Salad or this Asparagus Kale Salad. Use naan bread or tortilla to soak up all the juices (my personal favorite part!).
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Recipe
Slow Cooker Turkey Curry
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 turkey drumsticks
- 1 large onion diced
- 3 medium sweet potatoes skin on, scrubbed, and cubed
- 2 cups canned chickpeas 1 can, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups diced tomatoes or crushed
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon hot paprika or 1 teaspoon for extra spice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Place the turkey drumsticks at the bottom of the slow cooker. Top them with the sliced onion, cubed sweet potatoes, and chickpeas, evenly distributing.3 turkey drumsticks, 3 medium sweet potatoes, 1 large onion, 2 cups canned chickpeas
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the canned diced tomatoes, coconut milk, garlic, ginger, and all the seasoning and spices, except for the garam masala. Stir well to ensure the spices are evenly mixed into the sauce.2 cups diced tomatoes, 2 cups coconut milk, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, 1 tablespoon curry powder, 1 teaspoon ground turmeric, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, ½ teaspoon hot paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pour the prepared sauce over the turkey, sweet potatoes, onion, and chickpeas in the slow cooker, making sure everything is covered in the sauce.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7 hours, or until the turkey is tender and fully cooked.
- Once cooked, stir in the garam masala to enhance the flavor of the curry. The turkey bone will just slip off when you're mixing in the garam masala! Optionally, sprinkle fresh cilantro on top as a garnish.1 tablespoon garam masala
Notes
- Optionally, and if you have the extra time, sear the turkey drumsticks in a hot pan before adding them to the slow cooker. This step caramelizes the skin, giving the curry a richer taste and more robust texture.
- Control the heat to suit your taste. If you prefer a milder curry, reduce the amount of hot paprika or omit it altogether. For more heat, add fresh chili peppers or cayenne.
- Stirring in garam masala at the end of cooking helps preserve its fragrant, complex flavors. Adding it earlier can cause it to lose its aromatic punch.
- If you're using dry chickpeas, soak them overnight to ensure they cook through properly in the slow cooker. This helps them soften and absorb the curry’s flavors better.
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