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Healthy Crockpot Chili Cheese Dip is packed with protein and fiber to make a lower calorie appetizer. Perfect for an easy snack for a potluck, game day or party! Gluten Free + Low Calories
There is nothing better than a warm cheesy, chili dip during the cooler months!
This dip is one of my favorite appetizers, along with my Healthy French Onion Dip, Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip, Healthy Buffalo ChickenDip, Healthy Bean Dip and Healthy Taco Dip.
Chili cheese dips often are thought of as "bad" for you, but I'm about to change that for you with this healthy version that's lower calorie!
The taste is absolutely amazing and is better balanced in nutrition (and protein!) then regular crockpot chili cheese dip.
What Makes This Crockpot Chili Cheese Dip Healthy?
- Lower Calorie -
- Higher Protein - Adding ground turkey plus Greek yogurt gives this skinny chili cheese dip a boost of protein making it more filling and better nutritionally balanced for you!
- Easy To Make - This recipe couldn't be easier. Simply toss them in a slow cooker and let it cook!
- Simple Ingredients - Most chili cheese dips use cream cheese driving up the calories and the fat content. This recipe uses Greek yogurt instead along with simple healthy ingredients.
- Gluten Free - The ingredients are naturally gluten free.
Ingredients For Healthy Crockpot Chili Cheese Dip
Here's what you need to make this lower calorie crockpot chili cheese dip!
- Ground Turkey (I buy mine from ButcherBox)
- White Onion
- Pinto Beans, canned
- Diced Tomatoes
- Chili Powder, Cumin, Paprika, Oregano, Garlic Powder
- Greek Yogurt
- Mexican Cheese
- Optional Toppings: cilantro, sliced green onions
Also, note you will need a slow cooker that's 6-quarts or larger for making this recipe.
How To Make Healthy Chili Cheese Dip
Step One - Place all ingredients in a slow cooker except the cheese. Break up the raw meat with a spatula or with your hands as you add it to the pot.
Step Two - Cover and cook 3 1/2 hours on low.
Step Three - Remove the cover and break up the meat more with a spatula, stir then top with cheese. Cover and cook another 1/2 hour on low.
Step Four - Remove the cover, top with shredded cilantro, or topping of your choosing. Serve warm!
How Long Can I Cook Chili Cheese Dip On Low In A Crock Pot?
You can cook chili cheese dip on low up to 8 hours. Check your slow cooker though as some of them run hotter especially if they are older. If you have a newer model like mine, you can switch to the warm setting to prevent it from burning.
How To Keep Cheese Dip From Burning In A Crock Pot?
The trick is to cook the dip low and slow. If the meat is cooked and you're trying to keep the dip warm for serving, I recommend setting it to the warm setting to prevent it from burning.
Can You Use Crockpot Liners For Cheese Dip?
While crockpot liners may make cleanup easier, I do not recommend them as the plastic does leach small amounts of chemicals while heated.
Do I Have To Cook The Meat Before Putting It In The Slow Cooker
No, the meat does not need to be pre-cooked.
Can I Make Healthy Chili Cheese Dip In The Instant Pot?
Yes, you can make chili cheese dip in an Instant Pot. Add all the ingredients except the cheese to the pot, cover and set to pressure cook 5 minutes.
Carefully, remove the lid add the cheese and cilantro on top and serve!
Can I Bake Healthy Chili Cheese Dip In The Oven?
Yes, you can bake chili cheese dip in the oven. First, you will need to sauté the ground meet on the stovetop. Once it is browned, add the remaining ingredients except the cheese. Mix together.
Transfer to an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish, top with cheese and cook at 400 F for 15 minutes.
How To Serve Low Calorie Chili Cheese Dip:
There's no wrong way to enjoy this healthy dip recipe, but here's a few ideas for you!
- Chips - Baked tortilla chips are my favorite, but protein chips, pretzel chips, cauliflower tortilla chips work as well.
- Veggies - Sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, celery, carrots go well with this too!
How To Store Chili Cheese Dip?
- Refrigerator - This healthy dip will last in the refrigerator 3-4 days.
- Freezing - I have not tried freezing this dip, but I think it might get mushy and watery so I would not recommend it.
- Reheating - If you need to reheat Chili Cheese Dip, you can put it in the microwave 2 minutes or back in the slow cooker to reheat on low.
Substitutions For This Skinny Crockpot Chili Cheese Dip
Here are the substitutions I recommend for this recipe. Remember when you substitute or change an ingredient, it does change the nutritional values you see in the recipe card below.
- Ground Turkey - Any ground meat will work in this recipe. Lean ground beef, ground pork, ground chicken or a vegetarian ground meat.
- Greek Yogurt - You can use any Greek yogurt for this recipe – full fat, nonfat or low fat. Cottage cheese can also be used instead. For a dairy free yogurt, I recommend Kite Hill as it is higher in protein than other dairy free brands and tastes great.
- Pinto Beans - Any canned bean you enjoy can be used. If using uncooked beans, be sure to cook them BEFORE adding them to the slow cooker for this recipe. You can also use vegetarian pinto beans if you are vegetarian like Siete.
- Diced Tomatoes - Whole tomatoes, whole and peeled canned tomatoes, petite diced tomatoes, canned or fresh salsa can all be used instead.
- Cheese - Any cheese will work for this recipe. I used a low moisture (skim) variety. For vegetarian, you can use a dairy free variety for cheese or nutritional yeast.
More Healthy Dip Recipes
- Healthy French Onion Dip
- Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Healthy Bean Dip
- Healthy Taco Dip
Healthy Crockpot Chili Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Turkey
- 1 cup White Onion diced
- 15 oz Pinto Beans drained
- 15 oz Diced Tomatoes with juices
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 2/3 cup Greek Yogurt
- 1/2 cup Mexican Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a slow cooker except the cheese. Break up the raw meat with a spatula a bit or as you place it in the slow cooker, break it up with your hands.
- Cover and cook 3.5 hours on low.
- Remove the cover, break up the meat again with a spatula then stir the ingredients together. Add the cheese on top, cover and cook another 1/2 hour.
- Remove the cover, top with shredded cilantro or diced green onions (optional) and serve! If your slow cooker has a warm setting, you can switch it to warm as others enjoy it.
Notes
- Each serving is approximately 3/4 of a cup or 1/6th of the recipe.
- My Amazon shop has more products similar to those used for this recipe and that I recommend to my weight loss clients.
Meredith says
How can I make this without a crockpot? Stovetop/oven?
Megan says
Haven't tested it myself, but if I were to attempt to do so I would try in the oven at 350 F starting at 25 minutes then I would check to see if it was finished and determined if it needed more time or not.
Catherine Gadsby says
What if your crockpot only has high for 4 hours and not low for 3.5? Or adding a 1/2 hour
Megan says
You would only cook for 1 - 1.5 hours on high then.