Can You Cook Turkey in the Slow Cooker? Everything You Need to Know

Cooking turkey can be intimidating, especially if you’re tackling a whole bird for the first time. With its large size and lean meat, it’s easy to end up with an overcooked, dry turkey if you aren’t careful. This is where the slow cooker can come in handy!

The low, slow heat of the slow cooker allows you to cook turkey gently and evenly without drying it out. While you can’t fit an entire turkey in a slow cooker, you can easily cook turkey parts like breast, legs and wings. Here’s what you need to know about cooking turkey in the slow cooker.

Benefits of Cooking Turkey in a Slow Cooker

There are several advantages to using a slow cooker for turkey

• Moist and tender meat: The gentle heat prevents the turkey from drying out, while the moist environment bastes the meat from the inside.

• Infuses flavor: Turkey can soak up flavored liquids and seasonings as it slowly cooks, resulting in more flavorful meat.

• Easy: Simply prep and add turkey to the slow cooker in the morning. Dinner is ready when you get home.

• Safe: With the low heat, there’s less risk of under or overcooking. The turkey cooks low and slow to the perfect doneness.

• Versatile You can cook a whole breast, parts like drumsticks, sliced or diced turkey for soups casseroles and more.

• Makes amazing gravy: The cooking liquid becomes an incredible, rich and flavorful gravy base.

How to Cook Turkey Breast in a Slow Cooker

Turkey breast is the ideal cut to make in the slow cooker. Here are simple steps for moist, flavorful turkey breast:

• Choose a bone-in, skin-on breast 2-3 kg/4-6 lbs. The bone and skin help keep it moist. Thaw if frozen.

• Make a rub with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper.

• Pat turkey dry. Rub the seasoning all over.

• Place aromatics like garlic, onion and herbs in the bottom of the slow cooker.

• Add turkey breast skin-side up on top of aromatics. This elevates it out of the juices.

• Cook on Low for 5-6 hours until internal temperature reaches 75°C/165°F.

• Rest 20 minutes before crisping the skin under the broiler.

• Use the cooking liquid to make gravy.

The low heat perfectly cooks the turkey to ideal juiciness. Elevating it prevents too much contact with juices. Resting allows juices to reabsorb before carving.

How Long to Cook Turkey Breast in Slow Cooker

Cooking time depends on the size of the turkey breast:

• 1-2 kg breast: 4-5 hours on Low

• 2-3 kg breast: 5-6 hours on Low

• 4 kg breast: 6-7 hours on Low

• 5 kg breast: 8-9 hours on Low

Use a meat thermometer to check doneness after the minimum cook time rather than relying solely on time. Cook until 75°C/165°F internally.

Do not use High or you risk overcooking the outer portions before the inside is done. Let rest 20 minutes before slicing.

Tips for Moist Turkey Breast

Here are some tips to ensure tender, juicy slow cooker turkey breast:

• Choose a breast with skin and bone. Skin bastes the meat and bone adds flavor.

• Elevate the breast off the bottom with aromatics like onion and garlic.

• Make a flavorful rub with spices, garlic, onion and oil to season the meat.

• Add fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme or sage to the slow cooker.

• Pour in some chicken broth or turkey stock along with aromatics for extra moisture.

• Use Low heat only. High can cause outer meat to overcook.

• Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness rather than relying on time.

• Rest the cooked breast for 20 minutes before slicing to allow juices to reabsorb.

Slow Cooker Whole Turkey?

While you can’t fit a whole turkey in a slow cooker, you can cook a whole turkey breast with excellent results. Cook bone-in, 5 kg turkey breasts for 8-9 hours on Low until 75°C/165°F internally.

For smaller slow cookers, try cooking just turkey drumsticks, thighs or wings in the slow cooker with seasonings and broth for pulled turkey meat.

You can also dice or slice cooked turkey meat to use in slow cooker casseroles, soups, turkey chili and more. The low gentle heat keeps the turkey tender.

Gravy from Slow Cooker Turkey

The juices and drippings from the slow cooker turkey make an incredible gravy base. Here’s how:

• Remove turkey and strain cooking liquid into a measuring cup.

• Skim off excess fat from the surface.

• Add chicken broth to equal 2 cups liquid.

• In a saucepan, melt 4 tbsp butter then whisk in 1/4 cup flour.

• Slowly whisk in liquid to make a smooth gravy. Simmer until thickened.

• Season with salt and pepper.

The flavored cooking liquid ensures full-bodied, delicious gravy every time.

More Slow Cooker Turkey Recipes

Beyond whole turkey breast, there are lots of ways to use turkey in the slow cooker:

• Turkey chili: Diced turkey, beans, tomatoes, chili powder and spices.

• Turkey tetrazzini: Cooked turkey, mushrooms and spaghetti in creamy sauce.

• Turkey pot pie: Turkey, carrots, peas and celery in gravy topped with biscuit dough.

• Turkey and stuffing: Combine cooked turkey, stovetop stuffing, broth and cream.

• Turkey carnitas: Shredded turkey seasoned with garlic, lime juice and cumin.

• Turkey soup: Turkey, potatoes, carrots, celery in broth makes a hearty soup.

With the slow cooker, you can create amazing turkey dishes any time of year with minimal effort. Give turkey breast or other turkey recipes a try in the slow cooker for delicious results!