This crockpot turkey is so easy to put together and what I love most about it is you free up your oven for sides and desserts! Youll love how easy it and tasty is it is to cook a whole turkey in a slow cooker!
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If youre looking to make turkey but want to make something smaller, you can always make my slow cooker turkey breast recipe!
Every year, at a company that I worked at for 8 years, we had a Thanksgiving luncheon. Everyone signed up to bring different things. Since there were so many of us, five to six people signed up for the stuffing, different veggies, the pie, and so on. We even had many turkeys! My former boss, BJ, always cooked his turkey in the slow cooker. He said his mom cooked it that way when he was growing up. The turkey always turned out moist.
I emailed him the other day because this year, we decided to cook our Thanksgiving dinner early- we enjoyed it on Sunday night and I wanted to try my hand at cooking the turkey in the slow cooker. He told me you can leave it in longer than the 6 to 8 hours but it starts to fall apart, which is totally fine! Just make sure the turkey you buy will fit in your slow cooker!
If youre running low on oven space or just want a low maintenance way to cook a turkey- the slow cooker is the way to go! This turkey version is a modified version of my popular crockpot whole chicken recipe that we LOVE to make all the time!
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I put one of the garlic cloves and the rest of the dry ingredients I didnt use on top of the veggies.
Place the turkey on top of the vegetables and cover the crockpot. Cook for 6 to 8 hours.
Remove the turkey and place on an oven-safe baking dish. Broil the skin in your oven broiler for 4 to 5 minutes, watching it carefully so it doesnt burn. Allow the turkey to rest for 30 minutes before carving.
Skim the fat from the broth and save it for another recipe! Im thinking turkey ramen noodle soup are in order for this week!
Once you carve the turkey, add some broth to the turkey to keep the meat moist.
We loved this and it made it less stressful in the kitchen since I was able to do all of my sides in the oven without them having to compete with the turkey. Well definitely do this again!
Wishing you and yours a happy Thanksgiving and hoping that you have a lot to be thankful for! I know I do! Huge hugs!
Cooking a whole turkey in a 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.
I love using my crock pot to make turkey because it frees up oven space ensures moistness and requires minimal prep work. If you’re wondering how to cook a whole turkey in a crockpot, this article will walk you through the easy process step-by-step.
Benefits of Cooking Turkey in a Crock Pot
There are several advantages to cooking your turkey in the crock pot rather than the oven:
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It frees up your oven for sides dishes and desserts. The crock pot does all the turkey work for you.
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The turkey cooks low and slow keeping it incredibly moist. Oven roasting can sometimes dry out parts of the turkey.
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You don’t have to baste or worry about the turkey drying out The crock pot does the work for you
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The prep work is very minimal compared to roasting. You simply season the turkey and add to the crock.
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It’s safer for new cooks since there is less risk of undercooking. The low gentle heat ensures the turkey cooks through.
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The cook time is significantly shorter compared to oven roasting. A 10 lb turkey takes only 4-6 hours on low in the crock pot.
Tips for Crock Pot Turkey Success
Follow these tips when cooking your turkey in the crock pot for best results:
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Use a turkey breast rather than a whole bird. Whole turkeys are too large for most crock pots. A boneless turkey breast works best.
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Make sure your crock pot is big enough. The crock should fit the breast snugly with a little room around the sides.
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Elevate the breast. Place chopped onions, carrots and celery in the bottom of the crock to lift the turkey up.
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Resist lifting the lid. Lifting the lid frequently lets heat escape and can increase cook time. Only open to baste if desired.
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Allow plenty of time. A 4-6 lb breast needs 6-8 hours on low. Check after 6 hours to be safe.
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Use a meat thermometer. Cook until the breast reaches 165°F for food safety.
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Let the breast rest before slicing for maximum juiciness.
Seasoning the Turkey Breast
To get the most 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 with oil or butter then rub on a seasoning blend. Try sage, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper.
In the crock:
- Scatter onions, carrots, celery and fresh herbs in the bottom before adding turkey.
Delicious Crock Pot Turkey Breast Recipes
There are lots of recipe options for crock pot turkey breasts. Here are some tasty choices:
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Garlic Herb Turkey Breast – Smear garlic herb butter under the skin for incredible moisture and flavor.
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Citrus Turkey Breast – Stuff the cavity with orange slices, lime wedges and fresh herbs for a tangy twist.
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Apple Cider Turkey Breast – Use apple cider in the crock pot liquid for sweetness and moisture.
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Mushroom Turkey Breast – Cook sliced mushrooms right in the crock pot for easy gravy.
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BBQ Turkey Breast – Finish the cooked breast on the grill with barbecue sauce for crispy skin.
Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Turkey in a Crock Pot
Follow these simple steps for juicy, tender crock pot turkey:
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Thaw turkey completely before cooking. This may take 2-3 days for a 4-6 lb breast.
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Mix together butter, garlic, and desired seasonings.
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Loosen skin of breast and rub seasoning mixture directly onto meat.
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Place seasoned breast in crock pot atop chopped vegetables.
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Pour 1⁄2 cup liquid (broth, wine, cider) into pot.
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Cook on low setting for 6-8 hours until thermometer reads 165°F.
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Remove turkey breast and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.
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Make gravy from juices, slice turkey and serve!
Making Delicious Gravy
One of the best parts of crock pot turkey is that the braising liquid makes insanely delicious gravy. Here’s how to do it:
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After removing the cooked breast, pour the liquid into a saucepan.
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Skim off any fat from the surface. Bring the liquid to a boil.
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In a separate pan, make a light roux with butter and flour. Slowly whisk in the hot turkey liquid.
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Simmer the gravy until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
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Season with salt, pepper and fresh herbs. Ladle over sliced turkey.
Serving Your Crock Pot Turkey Breast
The turkey will come out very moist and tender after its low, slow cook in the crock pot. Here are some tasty ways to serve it up:
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Slice the breast and serve with homemade gravy and classic side dishes.
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Shred or chop the breast meat and use for turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce.
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Dice up the turkey and add to soups, salads, pasta and more all week!
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Top crackers or crostini with sliced turkey, cheese and pesto for an easy appetizer.
FAQs
What size crock pot do I need?
For a 4-6 lb turkey breast, a 6 quart crock pot is ideal. Make sure the breast can lay flat with a little room around the sides.
How long does it take to cook?
Cook time depends on size, but allow 6-8 hours on low for a 4-6 lb breast to be safe.
What temperature should it reach?
Cook until the thickest part of the breast reaches an internal temp of 165°F.
Can I cook a whole turkey?
Whole turkeys are too big for crock pots. Stick to just cooking a turkey breast.
How do I get crispy skin?
The skin won’t crisp in the slow cooker. Broil it after cooking for 5-10 minutes to crisp it up.
Can I make gravy?
Absolutely! The braising liquid left in the crock pot after cooking makes an incredible, rich gravy.
Cooking turkey in the crock pot is easy, convenient and results in deliciously moist meat. Just season a turkey breast, set it and forget it! In just a few hours, you’ll have tasty, tender turkey for amazing sandwiches, salads and more all week long.
Whole Turkey in a Slow Cooker Recipe
- ▢ 4 teaspoons salt
- ▢ 2 teaspoons paprika
- ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- ▢ 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- ▢ 2 carrots, scrubbed, no need to peel, chopped in halves or thirds
- ▢ 2 celery stalks, cut in thirds
- ▢ 4 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
- ▢ 1 whole lemon, quartered
- ▢ 8 to 9- pound whole turkey, fresh, if frozen then defrosted
- Combine salt, paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, white pepper, garlic powder and black pepper in a small bowl and set aside. Prep the vegetables and place inside the slow cooker (I use a 7 quart thats oval shaped but this one is an 8-Quart or this one).
- Remove turkey from packaging and remove neck and pouch with organs. Discard or save for use in another recipe. Optionally, rinse turkey with water. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Fold back the wings. Rub smashed garlic all over outside of the turkey. Put one garlic in the slow cooker and the rest inside the turkey. Put the rub all over the outside and inside the turkey. Add the quartered lemon to the inside of the turkey. Tie the legs with kitchen twine.
- Place turkey on top of the vegetables, you may need to move the veggies around depending on the size of your slow cooker. Cover slow cooker and cook turkey on low for 6-8 hours. (I used a 9.82-pound turkey, it took about 6 1/2 hours. The time will depend on the size of the turkey and your slow cooker.)
- Remove turkey and place in a 9×13 glass or ceramic baking dish. Place baking dish in the oven under the broiler for about 4-5 minutes but watch it carefully. It may take less time or a little longer, depending on the temperature of the broiler in your oven, you don’t want to burn your turkey.
- Allow turkey to rest after removing it from the broiler for 25 to 30 minutes.
