Are you tired of serving dry turkey breasts? Fortunately, it can be avoided and we are here to show you how.
Turkey breast meat is thick yet super lean (minimal fat). Due to the thickness, turkey breasts typically need about two hours to cook all the way through. If you cooked fatty meat for that long, the fat would melt during the cooking process, lubricate the muscle fibers, and keep the meat juicy. Since the typical turkey breast contains little fat, it can dry out during long cooks.
You can avoid serving dry turkey breasts by wet or dry brining before cooking, but that won’t be feasible if you don’t have the time or fridge space to brine a turkey breast. If brining is not an option, consider cooking your turkey breasts in a slow cooker.
NOTE: We highly recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure doneness as every slow cooker cooks differently. Internal temperature needs to be 165°F in both the thickest part of the breast (without touching the bone) and in the thighs to ensure doneness and food safety.
Cooking ground turkey in a crockpot is a great hands-off way to prepare this lean and versatile protein. With just a few simple tips, you can ensure your ground turkey comes out perfectly cooked and full of flavor every time.
Selecting and Preparing the Ground Turkey
When selecting ground turkey for the crockpot, opt for 85% lean or 93% lean varieties. The higher fat content of 85% lean ground turkey helps keep the meat moist and tender during the extended cooking time.
Before placing the ground turkey in the crockpot, it’s important to break up any large clumps so that it cooks evenly. You can do this by crumbling the meat with your hands or chopping it into smaller pieces with a knife. Lightly seasoning the turkey with salt, pepper, herbs, and spices at this stage adds flavor that permeates throughout the cooking process.
For the best texture and moisture retention, it’s recommended to brown the ground turkey before slow cooking. Heat a skillet over medium high heat, add the turkey, and cook while breaking it up with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
Determining Cook Times
Cooking times can vary based on several factors, including quantity of meat and specific crockpot model For 1-2 pounds of ground turkey, the approximate crockpot cook times are
- Low setting: 5-6 hours
- High setting: 3-4 hours
Be sure to check for doneness with a meat thermometer as ground turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F when fully cooked. If using frozen turkey add 1-2 hours to the cook time.
Maintaining Moisture
Ground turkey can easily dry out during extended cooking. Here are some tips to keep it tender and juicy:
- Cook in broth, tomatoes, or sauce rather than water.
- Wrap meat in bacon strips for added moisture and flavor.
- Shred cooked turkey with two forks to re-incorporate juices.
- Add root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions which add natural moisture.
- Stir in a spoonful of olive oil after cooking if needed.
Infusing Flavor
One benefit of crockpot cooking is deep flavor infusion over time. Consider adding aromatics like garlic, onions, peppers, and herbs. Tomatoes, wine, broth, and spices also impart delicious flavor.
For convenience, use a quick and flavorful turkey taco seasoning or an Italian herb packet blend. Mix seasonings right into the raw turkey or sprinkle them over top later in the cook time.
Handy Crockpot Turkey Tips
- Spray crockpot with nonstick spray to prevent sticking
- Cook on high for the first hour then reduce to low
- Resist lifting the lid to maintain heat and moisture
- Shred larger cuts of turkey with two forks
- Let pressure release 10 minutes before opening lid if using a pressure cooker
Creative and Satisfying Crockpot Turkey Recipes
From hearty chilis to comforting casseroles, ground turkey cooks up perfectly in the crockpot. Here are just a few delicious recipe ideas:
- Italian Turkey Meatballs in Marinara Sauce
- Turkey Chili with Beans and Vegetables
- BBQ Pulled Turkey for Sandwiches
- Turkey and Stuffing Casserole
- Greek Turkey Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
- Turkey Tortilla Soup with Avocado and Cilantro
With the proper cook times, a few simple moisture-locking tricks, and bold seasonings, you can enjoy tender and flavorful ground turkey from your crockpot any night of the week. Experiment with different cuisine styles and ingredient add-ins to keep your crockpot turkey creations exciting and satisfying.
Benefits of Using a Slow Cooker
Cooking turkey breasts in an oven or grill may be popular, but it can be tedious and unforgiving. You have to keep checking the turkey’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer. If you accidentally cook it for a few extra minutes, the turkey could burn or get dry.
On the other hand, cooking a turkey breast in a slow cooker is very forgiving. Even if the turkey spends an extra hour in the crockpot, the low cooking temperature will help ensure that it doesn’t burn or get dry. Here are more benefits of opting for slow cooker turkey breast:
- Flavorful, tender, and juicy turkey breasts every time
- Minimal prep time – no need to brine
- Hassle-free cooking process – no need to check on it for hours
- Easy to clean up afterward
Lastly, using a slow cooker gives you highly concentrated turkey broth, which you can use to create an excellent gravy.
Before delving into how to cook bone-in turkey breasts in a crockpot, let’s settle the argument of crockpots vs. slow cookers.
Slow Cooker or Crock Pot
Crockpot and slow cooker can mean the same thing. Crock-Pot® is the brand name of the first-ever slow cooker. Other brands now make slow cookers, and like Crock-Pot® slow cookers, these cookers have three primary components – a pot, a transparent lid, and a heating element.
Follow these tips to cook perfect turkey bone-in breasts in a Crock-Pot® or another slow cooker.
- Place a turkey breast skin side up inside the cooker. If the skin is facing upwards, it’s less likely to tear when removing the turkey breast from the slow cooker. Also, keeping the skin out of the broth will allow it to develop a delectable color.
- Before placing the turkey breast in the slow cooker, brush the skin with cooking oil before rubbing your seasonings. The oil will help the seasonings adhere to the body and enhance the flavor. It will also help the skin brown beautifully during the cook.
- Add half a cup of liquid (water, broth, or wine) to the base of the slow cooker. The turkey breast will absorb the flavor and moisture of the liquid while cooking. It will also help prevent the meat from sticking to the base of the pot. For more flavor, place halved garlic, onions, and your other favorite ingredients at the bottom of the pot.
Crockpot Poor Man’s Pot Roast made with Ground Turkey
FAQ
How long does it take to cook ground turkey in a crockpot?
Cover and cook on LOW for 3-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
How long to cook a turkey in a slow cooker?
Cook for 6 hours on low without opening the lid. After 6 hours, remove the turkey from the slow cooker and place on a large, warmed plate.
How long to cook turkey mince in a slow cooker?
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Temperature settings:Most recipes recommend cooking on low for longer cooking times or on high for quicker results.
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Browning the meat:While not always necessary, browning the turkey mince before adding it to the slow cooker can enhance flavor.
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Internal temperature:Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
Is 3 hours in a slow cooker enough?
How long should I cook a slow cooker recipe? If a dish usually takes: 15-30 mins, cook it for 1-2 hours on High or 4-6 hours on Low. 30 mins – 1 hour, cook it for 2-3 hours on High or 5-7 hours on Low.