How to Cook a Turkey in the Crock Pot for a Moist and Tender Bird

Cooking a whole turkey in the crock pot may seem unusual, but it’s actually a great way to get a moist, flavorful and tender bird without having to watch the oven all day A crock pot uses slow, low heat to gently cook the turkey, resulting in very juicy meat. Follow these tips for crock pot turkey success.

Benefits of Crock Pot Turkey

There are several advantages to cooking your turkey in the crock pot:

• It frees up your oven for sides dishes and desserts. The crock pot does all the turkey work for you.

• The turkey cooks low and slow keeping it incredibly moist. Oven roasting can sometimes dry out parts of the turkey.

• You don’t have to baste or worry about the turkey drying out. The crock pot does the work for you.

• The prep work is very minimal compared to roasting. You simply season the turkey and add to the crock.

• It’s safer for new cooks since there is less risk of undercooking. The low gentle heat ensures the turkey cooks through.

Tips for Crock Pot Turkey Success

Follow these tips when cooking your turkey in the crock pot:

• Use a turkey breast rather than a whole bird. Whole turkeys are very large and won’t fit in most crock pots. Stick with just a turkey breast.

• Make sure your crock pot is big enough. The crock should fit the breast snugly with a little room around the sides.

• Elevate the breast. Place chopped onions, carrots and celery in the bottom of the crock. Add the seasoned breast on top to lift it off the bottom.

• Resist lifting the lid. Lifting the lid frequently lets heat escape and can increase cook time. Open only to baste if desired.

• Allow plenty of time. A 4-6 lb breast needs 6-8 hours on low. Check after 6 hours to be safe.

• Use a meat thermometer. Cook until the breast reaches 165°F for food safety.

• Let the breast rest before slicing. As with oven roasted turkey, let the breast sit at least 15 minutes before carving for juicy slices.

Seasoning a Crock Pot Turkey Breast

To get maximum flavor, you’ll want to season under and on top of the skin:

• Under the skin: Rub herb butter or olive oil mixed with dried herbs and garlic. This helps keep the meat very moist.

• On the skin: Coat the skin with oil or melted butter then rub on a seasoning blend. Try sage, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper.

• In the cavity: Stuff the cavity with onions, herbs and garlic cloves. Lime or lemon wedges add brightness.

• In the crock: Scatter cut up onions, carrots, celery and fresh herbs in the bottom of the crock pot before adding turkey.

Crock Pot Turkey Breast Recipes

There are lots of recipe options for crock pot turkey breasts. Here are some tasty choices:

• Garlic Herb Turkey Breast: Smear garlic herb butter under the skin for incredible moisture and flavor.

• Citrus Turkey Breast: Stuff the cavity with orange slices, lime wedges and fresh herbs for a tangy twist.

• Apple Cider Turkey Breast: Use apple cider in the crock pot liquid for sweetness and moisture.

• Mushroom Turkey Breast: Cook sliced mushrooms right in the crock pot for easy gravy.

• BBQ Turkey Breast: Finish the cooked breast on the grill with barbecue sauce for crispy skin.

Making Gravy from the Crock Pot

One of the best parts of crock pot turkey is that the braising liquid makes insanely delicious gravy. Here’s how to do it:

• After removing the cooked breast, pour the liquid from the crock into a saucepan.

• Skim off any fat from the surface. Bring the liquid to a boil.

• In a separate pan, make a light roux with butter and flour. Slowly whisk in the hot turkey liquid.

• Simmer the gravy until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.

• Season the gravy with salt, pepper and fresh herbs. Ladle over sliced turkey breast.

Serving Crock Pot Turkey Breast

There are endlessly ways to serve your moist and tender crock pot turkey breast:

• For Thanksgiving: Slice the breast and serve with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and fresh cranberry sauce.

• For sandwiches: Shred or slice the breast. Pile on bread with mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

• Over salad: Dice or shred the breast. Toss with greens, veggies, nuts, dried cranberries and vinaigrette.

• In pasta: Chop or shred the breast. Toss with cooked pasta, olive oil, peas, Parmesan, and the turkey gravy.

• In soup: Shred the breast and add to soups and stews, like turkey noodle soup or turkey chili.

FAQs About Crock Pot Turkey

Have more questions about making turkey in the slow cooker? Here are some common FAQs:

How long does it take to cook a turkey breast in a crock pot?

For a 4-6 lb boneless turkey breast, cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Cook times vary based on size.

What temperature should the turkey breast reach?

Cook until it reaches an internal temp of 165°F. Check with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part.

Can you cook a whole turkey in a crock pot?

It’s not recommended. Whole turkeys are very large and won’t fit well in most slow cookers. Stick to just turkey breasts.

Should you crisp up the skin at the end?

For crispy skin, broil or grill the breast for 3-5 minutes at the end. Watch closely to avoid burning.

Is it safe to cook a turkey breast from frozen in a crock pot?

Yes, but add 1-2 hours to the cook time. It’s best to thaw in the fridge before slow cooking for ideal texture.

What liquids should you cook the turkey breast in?

Water, chicken broth, turkey broth or apple cider all work well. Herb stems and lots of aromatic veggies boost flavor.

Conclusion

Cooking turkey breast in the crock pot results in a very moist, deliciously seasoned bird with minimal effort. Follow the tips here for crock pot success and you’ll have a holiday-worthy turkey breast any time of year. Experiment with different herb combos, liquids and gravy ideas. Enjoy your incredibly juicy crock pot turkey!