Slow cooker whole turkey is a fool-proof recipe for the holidays. Making a whole turkey in the crockpot produces tender, succulent turkey meat with minimal prep work. Free up your oven this holiday season!
Slow Cooking a Frozen Turkey Safely and Deliciously
With the convenience of a slow cooker, you can transform a frozen turkey into a delicious home-cooked meal. But to avoid food safety hazards, special care must be taken when slow cooking frozen poultry. This article covers tips for safely thawing a frozen turkey in a slow cooker along with seasonings, cook times and side dish pairings for moist, flavorful results.
Can You Cook a Frozen Turkey in a Slow Cooker?
It is possible to safely cook a frozen whole turkey or turkey breast in a slow cooker, but only if using the right method. Never just pop a solid frozen turkey into the slow cooker and turn it on! This runs the risk of dangerous bacterial growth as the turkey’s interior slowly thaws while the exterior heats.
Instead, the key is to first thaw the turkey completely using the cold water method. Submerge the frozen turkey in a sink or large container of cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes Allow about 30 minutes of thawing time per pound. Once thawed, dry the turkey thoroughly before placing into the preheated slow cooker
Signs Your Turkey is Fully Thawed:
- No visible ice crystals inside the cavity or under skin
- Turkey flesh feels soft and pliable throughout when pressed
- A meat thermometer or knife inserted into thickest part meets no resistance
Only when the turkey is completely thawed is it safe to finish cooking it in a slow cooker.
Benefits of Slow Cooked Turkey
Compared to roasting, slow cooking offers several advantages for preparing turkey:
- Meat remains incredibly moist and tender due to the gentle, indirect heat
- Natural turkey juices and seasonings mingle into a flavorful gravy
- Little risk of overcooking or drying out the turkey
- Frees up the oven for cooking side dishes
- Less active cooking time required
Seasonings and Ingredients
For the most flavor, try adding seasonings under the skin or even inside the cavity before slow cooking:
- Herbs: rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano
- Spices: salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder
- Fruits: oranges, lemons, apples
- Vegetables: onions, carrots, celery
- Liquids: chicken or turkey broth, white wine
The turkey creates its own juices and gravy, but adding broth and wine ensures consistent moisture. Resist over-seasoning or the flavors can become bitter over the long cooking time.
Cook Time for Frozen Turkey in Slow Cooker
Whole Turkey:
- Small (8-12 lbs): Low 8-10 hours
- Medium (12-15 lbs): Low 10-12 hours
- Large (15-18 lbs): Low 12-14 hours
Turkey Breast:
- (3-6 lbs): Low 6-8 hours
Key is allowing enough time to defrost, come to temp and become tender. Cook at least 8 hours on low. Turkey is safe when internal temp reaches 165°F.
Serving Slow Cooked Turkey
Allow turkey to rest 20 minutes before carving. Slice and serve with traditional Thanksgiving favorites:
- Stuffing – prepare in oven while turkey cooks
- Mashed potatoes – cook just before serving
- Cranberry sauce – chilled and sweet counterpart
- Roasted vegetables – round out the meal simply
- Gravy – use defatted juices for rich flavor
With the right technique, slow cooked turkey can become the star of your holiday table! Follow proper thawing and food safety, accompany with hearty sides and you’ll enjoy a down-home feast.
Slow Cooker Turkey Tips
Follow these best practices when preparing turkey in a slow cooker:
- Completely thaw turkey in the refrigerator 1-2 days before cooking. Never slow cook frozen poultry.
- Preheat slow cooker on low heat at least 15 minutes before adding turkey.
- Place thawed turkey breast-side up on a metal trivet inside cooker.
- Add 1 cup turkey broth and seasonings under and inside turkey skin.
- Baste turkey every 2 hours, adding more broth if needed.
- Use instant-read thermometer to verify safe minimum internal temp of 165°F.
- Allow to rest 20 minutes before slicing for serving.
- Refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours. Reheat thoroughly before eating.
With the right techniques, slow cooked turkey can become a delicious staple entrée to enjoy year-round. The gentle, moist heat makes the meat incredibly tender and full of homestyle flavor. Follow proper food safety steps and season simply to let the turkey shine.
Ingredients For Crockpot Whole Turkey
- Whole Turkey
- Butter
- Seasoning: I used my homemade seasoning that includes salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, and oregano.
How To Cook A Whole Turkey In The Slow Cooker
Cooking a whole turkey is pretty fool-proof when you use a slow cooker!
- Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Remove innards from the turkey. Rinse and pat the turkey dry.
- Loosen the skin of the turkey breast. Place the ghee/butter under the skin of the turkey. Rub the oil all over turkey.
- In a small bowl, mix together the homemade seasoning spices. Rub the oil all over the turkey then season the turkey generously all over on all sides.
- Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.
When it comes to picking the size of the turkey for your holiday dinner, the general rule of thumb is that you will need approximately one pound of turkey per adult. Having said that, if you’re using a slow cooker, the rules kind of go out the window. Find a whole turkey that fits in your slow cooker. I used an extra-large 8-quart slow cooker and a 12 pound turkey that I had to shift around to get the lid to fit over properly. I could not have fit a larger turkey in the slow cooker. In general, a standard 6-quart slow cooker should fit a whole turkey up to 8 pounds. But keep in mind that all turkeys are shaped differently. What fits in an oval-shaped slow cooker might not fit in the same quart-size rectangular-shaped slow cooker or vice versa. If you find that your turkey doesn’t quite fit in your appliance, you can always cut it up into pieces. Or, rather than cook a whole turkey, you may need to get a turkey breast instead. Turkey breasts are readily available in smaller sizes.
You cannot cook a whole turkey from frozen in the slow cooker. If you buy a frozen turkey, you will need to completely thaw it before cooking. I don’t know about you but all the turkeys I have ever cooked have had to be thawed in my refrigerator first. To thaw your turkey, place it in a large roasting pan in the refrigerator (in its original packaging) for 24 hours per every five pounds of turkey. My 10 pound turkey took 2 days in the frig to thaw.
To keep things simple, I modified the homemade rotisserie seasonings from my Slow Cooker Whole Rotisserie Chicken recipe and used it here. Of course you can always use your preferred seasoning for this whole turkey recipe. But if you’re looking for homemade rotisserie seasoning, mine is in the recipe box. This is enough for a 8-10 pound turkey without having to make any adjustments to the measurements. Anything larger you might want to use more seasonings. Again, if you have a go-seasoning and/or butter blend that you like to use on your turkey, by all means use it.
To broil or not broil? That is the question. If you want your turkey to have crispy skin, then you will need remove it from the slow cooker and place it in your oven under the broiler for a few minutes. This is an optional step. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. If you’re not worried about the skin, skip it. But if you are, carefully remove the turkey from the slow cooker when it’s done cooking. Use tongs, it will be very hot and very tender. So tender that you shouldn’t be surprised if the turkey falls apart on you as you lift it up. Place the turkey on a large baking sheet and BROIL it in your oven for 3-5 minutes or until the skin is crisp to your liking.
- If your lid is slightly ajar when it start cooking due to the size of the turkey, this is okay. The turkey will reduce in size slightly as it cooks.
- There is no need to add any liquid to the slow cooker. I understand that makes some people uncomfortable so if you want to add broth you can. It will not ruin the dish but you will have a lot or liquid when it’s done cooking.
- Store leftover turkey in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- I used a large 8-quart slow cooker for this recipe.
Can you cook a turkey breast from frozen?
FAQ
Is it safe to slow cook a frozen turkey?
Can you cook a frozen turkey without thawing?
Can you cook a frozen turkey on low heat?