Cooking a turkey in a crock pot might sound unconventional, but it’s a fantastic way to prepare a moist, flavorful bird without the fuss of roasting. Whether you’re short on oven space or just want a hands-off method for your holiday meal, the slow cooker is your new best friend. Let’s dive into how you can cook a turkey in a crock pot and impress your family and friends with juicy, tender turkey every time.
Why Cook Turkey in a Crock Pot?
Using a crock pot to cook turkey offers several benefits:
– Juicier meat: Slow cooking keeps the turkey moist and tender, preventing the dryness that often happens with oven roasting.
– Hands-off cooking: Once you prep and set your crock pot, it does the work while you relax.
– Saves oven space: Perfect for holidays when your oven is busy with sides and desserts.
– Easy flavor infusion: The slow cooker allows herbs, garlic, and aromatics to deeply penetrate the meat.
Choosing the Right Turkey for Your Crock Pot
For crock pot turkey, size matters. Aim for a turkey or turkey breast that fits comfortably inside your slow cooker:
– A boneless turkey breast or a whole turkey weighing 3 to 8 pounds works best.
– If using a whole turkey, consider smaller birds or cut it into parts to fit.
– Boneless turkey breast is a popular choice for its ease and consistent cooking.
Preparing Your Turkey
Brining or Dry-Brining
To ensure your turkey stays juicy and flavorful:
– Brine the turkey by soaking it in a solution of kosher salt, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and water for at least 4 hours or overnight.
– If short on time, opt for a dry brine by rubbing the turkey with a mixture of kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, and brown sugar.
Seasoning and Aromatics
– Create a compound butter by mixing softened butter with garlic, herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley, salt, pepper, and paprika.
– Pat your turkey dry with paper towels.
– Rub the compound butter all over the turkey, including under the skin if possible, for extra flavor.
– Place aromatics such as onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and fresh herbs at the bottom of the crock pot to infuse flavor.
Cooking Your Turkey in the Crock Pot
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place aromatics in the bottom of the crock pot.
- Set the turkey breast or whole turkey on top of the aromatics, breast side up.
- Add 1 to 2 cups of broth (chicken or turkey) to keep the meat moist.
- Season the turkey with additional salt, pepper, and spices if desired.
- Cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Cooking times vary based on turkey size:
– 3-4 pounds: 6-8 hours on LOW
– 5-6 pounds: 7-9 hours on LOW
– 7-8 pounds: 8-10 hours on LOW
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer:
– Breast meat should reach 165°F (74°C)
– Thigh meat should reach 180°F (82°C)
Finishing Touch: Crispy Skin
While the crock pot cooks the turkey perfectly, the skin won’t get crispy in the slow cooker. For that classic golden, crispy skin:
– Remove the turkey from the crock pot once it reaches the right temperature.
– Place it under the oven broiler for a few minutes until the skin crisps up.
– Let the turkey rest for about 10-20 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Turkey
– Use large pieces of onion or vegetables under the turkey to elevate it slightly, ensuring even cooking.
– Do not overcook; check temperature early to avoid drying out the meat.
– Butter underneath the skin adds moisture and flavor.
– Let the turkey rest after cooking for juicier slices.
– Use the drippings from the crock pot to make a delicious gravy by simmering with a bit of cornstarch.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your crock pot turkey with classic sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and green beans. The tender, juicy meat pairs beautifully with all your favorite holiday dishes.
Cooking turkey in a crock pot is an easy, stress-free way to enjoy tender, flavorful turkey with minimal effort. Give this method a try and enjoy a juicy turkey that frees up your oven and your time!