Use your crockpot to make browned ground beef in large quantities. Then freeze it in meal-sized containers for use in future dishes. Little clean-up, and a lot of time saved!
Yes! You can brown ground beef in a slow cooker! Many amazing slow cooker recipes call for the ground beef to be cooked in advance. But that is an extra step involving an extra pot to wash. Not my idea of lazy!
Ground meat is just perfect to use in slow cooking. It is less expensive than other kinds of red meat. It is more forgiving than chicken meaning it is great in dishes with longer cooking times. AND – it is yummy.
However, using raw ground beef in a slow cooker recipe will make for a final dish with lots of excess grease. Greasy soup, chili, and meat sauce are yucky! So, using previously cooked meat is recommended.[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Ground turkey is an incredibly versatile protein that can be used in everything from chili and tacos to meatloaf and pasta sauce. Its lean yet flavorful meat makes it a healthy and budget-friendly alternative to beef or pork. While ground turkey is often pan-fried or baked in the oven, did you know that it can also be cooked in a slow cooker or crock pot?
Cooking ground turkey in a crock pot is a simple, hands-off way to prepare delicious turkey dishes with minimal effort The slow, moist cooking environment tenderizes the meat and infuses it with flavor. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide tips, guidelines, and recipe ideas for successfully cooking ground turkey in a crock pot
Benefits of Cooking Ground Turkey in a Crock Pot
There are several advantages to using a crock pot or slow cooker to prepare ground turkey:
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Requires minimal preparation and hands-on time Simply add ingredients to the crock pot in the morning and dinner is ready by evening,
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Tenderizes the meat for a delicious texture. Long, slow cooking breaks down connective tissues.
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Infuses the turkey with spices, herbs, and other flavors.
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Prevents the meat from drying out. The moist environment ensures it turns out juicy.
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Allows you to safely cook the turkey for extended periods. Because it’s contained, you don’t have to worry about burning or overcooking.
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Makes large batches that can be portioned out for meals throughout the week.
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Keeps the kitchen cool compared to using the oven.
Tips for Cooking Ground Turkey in a Crock Pot
Follow these tips to ensure your ground turkey cooked in the crock pot turns out perfectly:
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Choose the right ground turkey. Opt for ground turkey that includes both white and dark meat, which will provide more fat and flavor. All breast meat can dry out.
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Brown it first. Pre-browning the ground turkey in a skillet before slow cooking results in better texture and flavor.
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Use boneless turkey. Ground turkey that contains bones can prevent the meat from cooking evenly. Stick to boneless.
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Add liquid. Moisture is essential when slow cooking, so add broth, tomatoes, or barbecue sauce.
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Layer ingredients. Place veggies and aromatics at the bottom, then turkey, and finally the liquid.
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Shred at the end. Use two forks to shred the cooked turkey to maximize tenderness.
How Long to Cook Ground Turkey in a Crock Pot
Cooking times can vary based on the amount of ground turkey you’re preparing, but these general guidelines will ensure it cooks through:
- High setting: 2-3 hours
- Low setting: 4-6 hours
Always use a thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If undercooked, simply keep cooking until properly heated.
Flavorful Ground Turkey Crock Pot Recipes
Ground turkey pairs deliciously with countless ingredients and lends itself to a variety of easy crock pot meals. Here are some flavorful recipes to try:
Crock Pot Turkey Chili
Brown 1 lb ground turkey with onions and peppers. Add beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne. Cook on low 4-6 hours. Top with cheese and sour cream.
BBQ Turkey Meatballs
Combine ground turkey with breadcrumbs, egg, and spices. Shape into balls, then cook in your favorite barbecue sauce on low for 3-4 hours.
Turkey & Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
In the crock pot, layer turkey, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, and brown gravy. Cook on low 6 hours. Add mashed potatoes and bake until browned.
Italian Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Fill bell peppers with turkey, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and shredded mozzarella. Cook on low 5-6 hours until peppers are tender.
Turkey Pot Pie
Whisk together turkey, vegetables, cream of chicken soup, and chicken stock. Pour into crock pot and top with pie crust. Cook on low 4-6 hours.
FAQs
Can you cook raw ground turkey in a crock pot?
Yes, you can cook raw, uncooked ground turkey straight from the package in a crock pot without issues. Just be sure to break up the meat initially so it cooks evenly.
Should ground turkey be browned first?
Browning isn’t required, but does add deeper flavor and prevents a mushy texture. If you don’t pre-brown, add a little oil to the crock to prevent sticking.
What liquid should be used with ground turkey in a crock pot?
Chicken or turkey broth provides great moisture and flavor. Tomatoes, wine, barbecue sauce, and creamy soups also pair well. Use about 1 cup liquid per 1 lb turkey.
Can you overcook ground turkey in a crock pot?
It’s harder to overcook in a slow cooker, but possible. Check it regularly once it reaches the recommended cook times. If it seems dry, stir in additional liquid.
The Versatility of Crock Pot Ground Turkey
Ground turkey cooked in a crock pot results in flavorful, juicy meat that can be used in everything from soups and chilis to casseroles, sandwiches, salads, and more. Follow the tips and recipe ideas in this guide to start taking advantage of the convenience and versatility of cooking ground turkey in your trusty crock pot.
Ground Beef Recipes For The Crock Pot
Having cooked ground beef on hand will allow you to make many delicious crockpot recipes with very little effort. Everything from slow-cooker chili recipes, to casseroles can be made quickly and easily.
What kind of beef is best?
Purchasing several pounds of hamburger meat can often be more economical than buying just an individual pound of beef. Look for meat labeled “club pack” or “bulk purchase”. Buying in bulk can help you significantly lower the cost of your slow cooker meals.
Ground beef comes with a beef-to-fat ratio listed on the package. These ratios range from 70/30 to 90/10. These numbers represent the percentages of beef and fat. So, for example, 70/30 is 70% lean beef and 30% fat.
Meat with a higher percentage of fat tends to be a little bit more flavorful and moist. However, it will require more draining of excess fat.
Tip: The leaner the beef, the more expensive it tends to be. If you will be ultimately using beef in a saucy dish such as a ground beef casserole or chili, drier meat wont matter as much.
- Ground beef – I have used up to 6 pounds of ground beef
- 6 quart or larger slow cooker
- large spoon, spatula or potato masher
- Non-stick cooking spray or slow cooker liner (optional)
- Slotted spoon or fine mesh strainer.
Start by spraying your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place all ground beef on the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker bowl. Use a spoon, spatula or potato masher to break it up a bit.
If your slow cooker seems super full, dont worry, the meat will shrink a bit as it cooks.
Once or twice during cooking time, remove the lid from the slow cooker and stir beef to break up any clumps. You will want to make sure to fully brown meat prior to removing it from the heat.
While your beef cooks, it will accumulate a lot of liquid fat. This will need to be drained and discarded.
Draining can be accomplished by pouring the fat from your slow cooker through a large, fine-mesh strainer over a bowl. Proceed cautiously as your cooked beef will be hot and will produce a lot of hot steam and hot oil.
If you love this recipe, please let me know in the comment section below!