Slow-roasted turkey is marvelously tender, with meat that literally falls off the bone and golden, rich, golden-brown skin. Its an easy, hands-off way to prepare turkey and yields consistently excellent results.
Slow cooking a turkey is a fantastic way to get incredibly moist, flavorful meat without needing to constantly monitor the oven. But to get the best results, it’s important to know how long to slow cook a turkey depending on the size. Here’s a complete guide to ensure your slow cooker turkey breast or whole turkey comes out perfect every time.
Factors That Affect Slow Cook Times
There are a few key factors that impact how long you need to slow roast a turkey
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Weight – A small 5 lb turkey breast may only take 4-5 hours while a large 15 lb whole turkey could need 12+ hours.
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Bone-in or Boneless – A bone-in turkey breast or whole turkey retains more moisture but also requires longer cook time. Boneless cooks faster.
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Breast vs Whole Turkey – Turkey breasts generally cook faster than a whole turkey
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Slow Cooker Size – Larger slow cookers heat more evenly so large turkeys may cook faster
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Frozen or Thawed – Always thaw frozen turkey completely before slow cooking. Starting from frozen will lengthen the time.
Slow Cook Times for Turkey Breast
Turkey breasts come in many sizes, anywhere from 2-10 lbs. Here are approximate slow cook times:
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2 lb turkey breast – 4-5 hours on low
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4 lb turkey breast – 5-6 hours on low
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6 lb turkey breast – 6-7 hours on low
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8 lb turkey breast – 7-8 hours on low
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10 lb turkey breast – 8-9 hours on low
For the most accurate cook time, use a meat thermometer and cook until it reaches 165°F internally.
Slow Cook Times for a Whole Turkey
Whole turkeys have a much wider range of sizes from 8 lbs to over 20 lbs. Here are the estimated slow cooker times:
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8-12 lb whole turkey – 7-9 hours on low
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12-16 lb whole turkey – 8-10 hours on low
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16-20 lb whole turkey – 10-12 hours on low
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20-24 lb whole turkey – 11-13 hours on low
Again, checking the internal temp is the best way to determine doneness. Cook to 165°F before removing from the slow cooker.
Tips for Slow Cooking Turkey
Follow these tips for the most moist, flavorful slow cooked turkey:
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Thaw Completely – Never put frozen turkey directly in the slow cooker. Always thaw first.
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Use a Rub – Rubbing the turkey with herbs, spices and oil helps flavor the meat and keeps it moist.
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Elevate – Place turkey on top of vegetables to prevent the bottom from cooking unevenly.
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Cook Low and Slow – Cook on low setting only, high heat can dry out the turkey.
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Let Rest – Before carving, always let the turkey rest 15-20 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
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Use a Thermometer – It’s the only way to accurately determine when the turkey is safe to eat.
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Make Gravy – Use the delicious turkey juices to make the best gravy ever!
Get Perfectly Cooked Turkey Every Time
Armed with these time estimates and tips, you can confidently slow cook a moist, delicious turkey breast or whole turkey for your next holiday meal or Sunday dinner. Low and slow cooking results in incredibly tender, flavorful meat that is much easier and less risky than roasting in the oven.
Just be sure to factor in the size of your turkey and always use a meat thermometer. Follow the recommended cook times and your slow cooked turkey will turn out juicy and amazing each and every time.
Tips for a perfect bird
- Choose small to medium birds (12 – 16 pounds), as larger birds risk taking too long to come to safe temperatures.
- Stuff your turkey with herbs, lemons, and onions. Herbs, lemons, and onions give your turkey flavor and keep it moist.
- Bake your stuffing on the side instead of in the bird.
- Mind the internal temperature. The internal temperature of your bird should reach 165 F when taken from the thigh for safety.
- Its okay to cook the bird over temperature. The meat will seize and then yield and become even more tender as it cooks, so I typically cook my bird to 180 F.
- Tent the bird with foil if you notice it browning too quickly.
- If you find the turkey cooking too quickly, you can reduce the heat to 225 F.
- Allow it to rest before serving. Your turkey will need to rest for about 40 minutes to stay moist. Thats just enough time to warm up your sides in the oven.
- Serve the turkey with plenty of sides like sourdough stuffing, cranberry mandarin relish, maple-glazed root vegetables, and a nice autumn fruit salad.
- Use your leftovers for turkey bone broth and turkey and wild rice soup.
- If your wine and liquid ingredients evaporate in the pan, add more wine, stock, or water.
Why roast a turkey overnight?
To slow roast a turkey, youll bake it in a very slow oven over a period of several hours – typically 8 to 12, depending on the size of the bird. And this long, slow process results in impossibly tender meat that literally falls off the bone, a golden, deep flavor, and crisp brown skin.
Even better, its a fairly hands-off approach and that means you have more time to spend with friends and family. And youll have plenty of time to whip up sides, put the final touches on dessert, and set the table.
Slow-roasting is a simple, easy process that requires little active time in the kitchen. However, because it takes so long for the turkey to cook through, youll need to carefully plan when you first put it in the oven.
Allow about 6 hours total for a medium-sized bird. If you have a large bird, and plan to eat early in the day, you may need to wake in the wee hours of the morning to get your bird ready on time. Or, if you plan to serve it in the evening, youll start the bird by noon.
The recommended temperature for roasting turkey is 325 F; however, slow-roasting poultry was once common practice. And it was a popular way to cook turkey until recently. Many earlier generations grew up roasting their turkeys overnight in the oven.
Most bacteria on your bird will rest on its surface areas, not deep in the meat. Remember the “danger zone” for food-borne illness is 41 to 130 F. So make sure that your turkey comes to 135 F within about 4 hours and 165 F before you serve. In 2008, researchers found that slow-roasted birds were safe to eat (1).
To ensure your bird stays safely within those temperature windows, choosing small to medium birds works best. I recommend using a higher temperature and different techniques for very large birds. This maple-brined turkey recipe works well.
Slow Cooker Turkey EASY | Tender & Juicy Turkey! #cooking
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a turkey at 250 degrees?
Can I cook my turkey on low overnight?
Can you cook a turkey at 200 degrees?
Can you cook a turkey for 6 hours?
How do you slow cook a Turkey?
To slow cook a turkey, you will need: Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels. 3. Season the turkey inside and out with salt and pepper. 4. Drizzle the turkey with vegetable oil. 5. Place the turkey in a roasting pan. 6.
How long to cook turkey breast in a slow cooker?
How long to cook turkey breast in the slow cooker – A 2 kg / 4 lb turkey breast will take about 5 to 6 hours on LOW in a slow cooker. See recipe notes for cook times for other sizes. How to tell when turkey breast is done – When the internal temperature is 165F / 75C.
How long do you cook a Turkey in a crock pot?
Cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil. 7. Roast the turkey for 2-4.5 hours per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) at the thickest part of the thigh. 8. Baste the turkey every 30 minutes with the pan juices. 9. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
Is slow cooking a Turkey a good idea?
Slow cooking a turkey is a great way to cook a moist and flavorful bird. The slow cooker will gently cook the turkey all day long, resulting in a juicy and tender finished product. So if you’re looking for a delicious and easy way to cook a turkey, slow cooking is the way to go.