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!
Slow cooking a turkey is a great way to ensure moist tender meat and infuse it with delicious flavor. But exactly how long does it take to slow roast or slow cook a whole turkey? The cooking time can vary quite a bit depending on the size of your bird, temperature, and method. Here’s what you need to know about timing for slow cooking turkey.
Slow Roasting Times
One of the simplest ways to slow cook a turkey is to roast it low and slow in the oven This gently cooks the meat while keeping it incredibly moist
For oven roasting, plan on cooking times around:
- 8-10 hours for a 12-15 lb turkey at 200-250°F
- 10-12 hours for a 15-18 lb turkey at 200-250°F
- 12-14 hours for an 18-22 lb turkey at 200°F
These timings allow for approximately 10-15 minutes per pound. It’s important to use an oven thermometer, as many ovens run hot.
Monitor the internal temperature, removing the turkey once the breast reaches 160-165°F and the thighs reach 175-180°F. The temperature will continue rising as it rests.
If the turkey isn’t yet fully cooked and you need the oven space, you can increase the heat towards the end to finish roasting, checking it frequently.
Slow Cooker/Multicooker Times
For moist turkey with great flavor infusion, the slow cooker or a multicooker like the Instant Pot is ideal.
Cook times on LOW generally range around:
- 6-8 hours for a 12-15 lb turkey
- 8-10 hours for a 15-18 lb turkey
- 10-12 hours for an 18-22 lb turkey
On HIGH, cooking time is reduced by about half. Again, always rely on the internal temp rather than time.
After slow cooking, the skin won’t be browned or crisp, so broil or sear it after for nice color.
Sous Vide Turkey Times
The sous vide technique involves cooking vacuumed sealed turkey in a precisely temperature controlled water bath. It takes the guesswork out of getting the temp exactly right.
For sous vide, cook the turkey approximately:
- 12-18 hours for a 12-15 lb turkey at 145°F
- 18-24 hours for a 15-22 lb turkey at 145°F
The benefit is you can hold it at the ideal low temp for as long as needed to fully tenderize. Sear the skin at the end to finish.
Checking for Doneness
No matter which slow cook method you use, always check the internal temperature in both the breast and thickest part of thighs to determine doneness.
Target temperatures are:
- Breast – 160-165°F
- Thighs – 175-180°F
The temperature will continue rising 5-10 degrees during resting time. If undercooked, you can quickly roast at high heat to finish.
Use an instant read thermometer to monitor temps and avoid overcooking. Cook to the minimum safe temps for ideal juicy meat.
Resting Times
Once the turkey reaches the target temperature, remove it from the heat source and allow it to rest before carving.
Resting times:
- Whole turkey: Let stand 20-30 minutes
- Turkey breast: Let stand 15 minutes
This resting period allows the juices to redistribute through the meat for maximum juiciness.
Lightly tent the turkey with foil as it rests to keep it warm. The internal temp will continue rising to ensure it’s fully cooked.
Preparing Ahead
For oven roasting and slow cooking in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, you can prep the turkey 1-2 days in advance:
- Thaw turkey completely if frozen
- Rinse turkey, pat dry and rub all over with softened butter or oil
- Generously season inside and out with salt, pepper and other spices/herbs
- Refrigerate turkey up to 2 days until ready to cook
With sous vide, you can vacuum seal and cook the turkey 1-2 months in advance. Refrigerate until ready to finish and serve.
Prepping ahead helps infuse flavor and makes the day-of cooking process easier.
Serving and Leftovers
Once rested, the turkey is ready to carve and serve. Go for a combination of white and dark meat.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F. Slow cooked turkey keeps well for 4-5 days refrigerated.
Use leftovers for easy casseroles, sandwiches, soups and salads. The moist, tender turkey is delicious right up to the last bit!
Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Turkey
- Brine the turkey or rub butter/oil under and over the skin for added moisture and flavor
- Use a low cooking temperature around 200-250°F for ideal even heating
- Loosely tent turkey with foil to retain moisture if oven roasting
- Baste occasionally with pan drippings or chicken broth during oven roasting
- Add aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots and celery to the bottom of the roasting pan or slow cooker
- Stuff the cavity with halved lemons, onions, garlic and fresh herbs
- Make a spice rub with dried herbs, garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar and pepper
- Insert pats of flavored butter or herb under the skin for delicious flavor
- Let roasted turkey rest 20-30 minutes before carving for juiciest meat
Slow cooking is hands down the best way to get tender, delicious turkey full of flavor. With proper cooking times, temperatures and resting, you’ll have juicy, crowd-pleasing holiday turkey!
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.
Slow Cooker Turkey EASY | Tender & Juicy Turkey! #cooking
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a turkey at 250 degrees?
- The turkey should be fully thawed before cooking.
- Avoid stuffing the turkey, as it can increase the risk of bacterial growth.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Ensure your smoke detectors are working correctly, and have a fire extinguisher on hand.
What’s the lowest temperature you can cook a turkey at overnight?
Cooking a turkey overnight at 250 degrees is safe if you follow essential guidelines and prioritize food safety.
Can I slow down cooking a turkey?
Stuff the bird with lemon and herbs, then roast low and slow for 10 hours, basting frequently.
Is it safe to cook a turkey in the crockpot?
Is it safe to cook turkey in the slow cooker? Yes! As long as you cook the turkey to the minimum temperature that’s safe (165 degrees F) it’s perfectly safe to slow cook your turkey.
How long to cook a Turkey in a slow cooker?
Your turkey should cook at above 135-140 degrees within 4 hours, so occasionally check the internal temperature of the turkey (in the thickest part of the breast) when cooking. If the temperature is too low, turn up the heat on your slow cooker.
Can You slow cook a Turkey in the oven?
Slow cooking a turkey in the oven is a great way to achieve a tender and flavorful bird. By following the cooking times and temperatures outlined in this article, and by using a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature, you’ll be able to achieve a perfectly cooked slow-cooked turkey.
What temperature do you cook a Turkey in a slow cooker?
Be sure it’s reached an internal temperature of 170 degrees F in the thickest part of the breast and 180 degrees F in the thigh. One of the best part of cooking a turkey in a slow cooker is that it won’t dry out as easily as it can when oven roasting if you accidentally cook it a little too long.
How long does it take to slow roast a Turkey?
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.
Can You slow cook a turkey breast?
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.
Is slow cooking a Turkey a good idea?
Slow cooking a turkey is a great way to ensure it turns out juicy, flavorful and tender every time. Compared to traditional high-heat roasting, slow cooking allows the turkey to cook gently over many hours, resulting in meltingly tender meat and infusing it with aromatics and spices.