Can You Cook a Small Turkey in a Crock Pot? A Complete Guide

A no-mess, no-stress way to cook a whole turkey—in the slow cooker! No basting or brining needed. This slow cooker whole turkey recipe will give you the most tender, juiciest turkey ever!

When I was younger, my mom always slow-cooked her Thanksgiving turkey. She would prepare the turkey the day before Thanksgiving and then slow-cook the whole turkey in the oven overnight. Yup, overnight. She’d actually wake up a couple of times to baste the turkey. I’m sorry, but I seriously ain’t got time to wake up to baste a turkey! Nope. Honey, I refuse. Heck, during the holidays, I already have to cook candied yams, stuffing, collard greens, sweet potato pie, and let’s not even get on the gumbo!

So, to make a long story short, I prefer to make my Thanksgiving (and Christmas… and Easter… and ANY holiday) turkey in the slow cooker. My turkey ALWAYS comes out super juicy. This slow cooker turkey recipe is foolproof!

Cooking a juicy and flavorful turkey in a slow cooker or crock pot is absolutely possible, even if you only have a small bird. With the right techniques and preparations, your small crock pot turkey will turn out incredibly moist and tender.

Why Cook a Small Turkey in a Crock Pot?

There are several great reasons to cook a small turkey in a slow cooker:

Saves oven space: Roasting a turkey takes up valuable real estate in your oven which you likely need for sides and desserts. A crock pot frees up that space.
Moist and flavorful The slow, low cooking results in extremely tender and juicy meat infused with flavor No worrying about drying out!
Easy and hands-off Simply prep the turkey set the slow cooker and let it do the work. No basting required.
Cooks evenly: The moist heat environment cooks the turkey through gently and evenly. No burnt edges or dry breast meat.
Makes amazing gravy: The turkey creates its own gravy in the crock pot so you get ultra-flavored gravy from the drippings.

What Size Crock Pot Do You Need?

The right size crock pot or slow cooker will depend on the weight of your turkey. Here are some general size guidelines:

6-8 pound turkey: 4-5 quart slow cooker
8-10 pound turkey: 6 quart slow cooker
10-14 pound turkey: 7 quart slow cooker
Turkey breast or over 14 pounds: Oval slow cooker or alternative method

For large turkey breasts over 5 pounds or whole small turkeys heavier than 14 pounds, an oval slow cooker may be needed. Alternatively, you can use a foil tent or cook in a roasting pan in the oven at 200-225°F after browning.

How to Prepare a Small Turkey for the Crock Pot

Proper preparation is key to ensuring your small crock pot turkey comes out perfect. Follow these tips:

Thaw safely: Make sure turkey is completely thawed. Thaw in the refrigerator 1 day for every 4-5 lbs.
Remove giblets: Check both front and back cavities for giblets and neck. Discard or use for gravy.
Dry brine (optional): For extra flavor and moisture, dry brine up to 24 hrs before. Rub skin with salt and refrigerate.
Truss turkey: Tie legs together with twine to keep compact shape. Makes it easier to fit in crock pot.
Brown the skin: Browning the skin for 10-15 minutes before slow cooking gives color and deeper flavor.
Stuff aromatics: Stuff the cavity with onions, garlic, citrus, fresh herbs for amazing flavor.

How Long to Cook a Small Turkey in a Crock Pot

Cooking time depends on a few factors, but in general you can use these cooking times as a guide:

6-8 pound turkey: 7-8 hours on LOW
8-10 pound turkey: 8-10 hours on LOW
10-14 pound turkey: 9-11 hours on LOW

Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the breast before removing from the slow cooker. Cook times may vary based on specific slow cooker.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Turkey

Follow these expert tips for turkey crock pot success:

Use a thermometer to monitor the temp, especially in the first few hours. Keep above 140°F.
Add 1⁄2 cup of water or broth to create steam and prevent burning on the bottom.
Spray the liner with nonstick spray for easy removal.
Layer vegetables on the bottom to act as a rack.
Tent with foil if top gets too brown before turkey is finished.
Let turkey rest 20 minutes before carving for easiest slicing.

Make Delicious Turkey Gravy

Don’t throw out the flavorful turkey drippings and juices left in the crock pot after cooking your turkey. Use them to make the most amazing gravy:

Pour drippings and scrapings into a saucepan. Skim off excess fat.
Make a slurry by whisking 2-3 Tbsp flour into 2-3 Tbsp butter.
Whisk slurry into drippings over medium heat until desired thickness is reached.
Season with pepper, additional poultry seasoning if desired.

Satisfy With Delicious Leftovers

A small crock pot turkey provides leftovers for days. Get creative with these fun leftover turkey ideas:

Turkey pot pie – Use turkey with veggies in gravy topped with pie crust
Turkey tetrazzini – Turkey and egg noodles baked in a creamy sauce
Turkey enchiladas – Dice turkey into sauce enchiladas
Turkey salad sandwiches- Shred turkey mixed with mayo, celery, onion for sandwiches
Turkey soup – Shredded turkey, veggies and broth makes a hearty soup

With the right techniques and some patience, you can absolutely cook a moist and flavorful small turkey in a crock pot or slow cooker. Use these tips and guidelines for success!

can you cook a small turkey in a crock pot

Is it better to cook a turkey slow or fast?

Low and slow, baby! That’s how you achieve the most tender, juicy turkey. Plus, slow cooking a turkey cooks it in its own juices. Talk about flavor overload! Feel free to prep your turkey with herb and garlic butter (in addition to the olive oil and seasonings) for even more flavor.

Can I make gravy for my turkey in the slow cooker?

Absolutely! You’ll have all of those delicious juices and drippings at the bottom of your slow cooker—I encourage you NOT to let that goldmine of flavor go to waste. I make a delicious homemade gravy in my slow cooker smothered turkey wings recipe, or I have another turkey gravy recipe here that’s just as easy.

Slow Cooker Turkey EASY | Tender & Juicy Turkey! #cooking

FAQ

How long should you cook a small turkey?

You can even use the same size roasting pan, so there’s no need for extra tools or gadgets. Cook your small turkey for about 20 minutes per pound until the internal temperature is 165 F. Generally, a 6-10 pound turkey generally cooks for 2-3 hours, while a 10-14 pound turkey will take around 3-4 hours.

Is it safe to cook a turkey in a slow cooker on low?

Set the slow cooker on low and cover with the lid. Now cook on LOW for 8 to 8 1/2 hours. Serve & enjoy the juiciest turkey ever!

Is it safe to put a frozen turkey in the crock pot?

The parts should always be thawed before placing them into a slow cooker. DON’T start cooking foods from the frozen state.

Can you use a turkey bag to line a crock pot?

A representative said they don’t recommend using the bag in a slow cooker, because the bag might come in contact with the heating element, melt and damage the cooker. Also, the bag should not be used on an oven rack (only in a pan), in a roaster oven, in a convection oven or on the stovetop.