Emilie Meyer
Cooking a turkey breast in a crock pot is an easy, hands-off way to get moist, flavorful meat without tying up the oven. It is a great option for a holiday feast or a simple family dinner. You can use a bone-in or boneless turkey breast, and the slow cooker will make the meat tender and juicy. The cooking time will depend on the weight of the turkey breast, but you can generally expect it to take between 3 and 8 hours. This method also allows you to make delicious gravy with the leftover liquid in the crock pot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking method | Slow cooker/crockpot |
| Pros | Moist, flavorful meat, easy, hands-off, saves oven space, never dry, low-fuss, frees up oven, minimal prep, set-and-forget, even cooking, gravy |
| Cons | Longer cooking time than oven roasting, risk of dry/burnt meat without enough liquid |
| Turkey breast type | Boneless or bone-in |
| Turkey breast weight | 3-9 pounds |
| Turkey breast prep | Remove outer packaging, leave netting on, pat dry, spray/brush with oil, season, place skin-side up |
| Liquid | Water, broth, wine, or a combination |
| Liquid quantity | 1/2 cup for a 3-pound turkey breast |
| Temperature | Low |
| Cook time | 3-10 hours depending on weight; 1.5-2 hours per pound |
| Internal temperature | 140-170˚ F |
| Rest time | 10-20 minutes |
| Netting removal | Before serving |
| Leftovers | 3-4 days in the refrigerator, 2-3 months in the freezer |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Crockpot liners
Cooking a Butterball turkey breast in a crockpot is an easy, hands-off way to get moist, flavorful meat without tying up the oven. It is a simple, stress-free way to prepare a turkey breast, especially for a large crowd.
Some people have expressed concerns about the safety of crockpot liners. There have been discussions about the chemicals used in the bags and how they could potentially be harmful. However, a professional chef weighed in on the debate, stating that crockpot liners are made of nylon and are completely harmless. The amount of heat required to release harmful chemicals is far beyond what a slow cooker produces.
Mustang Oil Pan Removal: DIY or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Turkey prep
Firstly, ensure your turkey breast is thawed and not frozen. You can cook a Butterball turkey breast of 3-9 pounds in a crock pot. Remove the outer packaging, but leave the string netting on a boneless breast. Pat the meat dry with paper towels.
Next, place sliced onion and garlic cloves in the bottom of the crock pot. The onion creates a rack that helps the turkey cook more evenly. You can also add sliced carrots and potatoes to this base. Grease the crock pot with butter, olive oil, or non-stick cooking spray.
Now, place the turkey breast on top of the vegetables, skin-side up. Pour in water, broth, wine, or a combination—use about 1/2 cup of liquid for a 3-pound turkey breast. You can also add a cup of chicken broth to create a steaming effect and make the meat even more tender.
Season the turkey breast with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs and spices. You can also try a spice rub or dry onion soup mix. For a brown, crispy skin, brush the turkey with soy sauce and paprika.
Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on a low setting for 3-6 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165-170˚ Fahrenheit. A boneless turkey breast will take about 1.5 to 2 hours per pound. For example, a 4-pound turkey breast will take approximately 6-8 hours.
Once the turkey is cooked, remove the roast and let it rest for about 10-20 minutes before slicing and serving. You can use the leftover liquid in the crock pot to make gravy. Simply strain and thicken it, and serve it with your tender, slow-cooked turkey.
Imusa Pans: Flat Surface Cooking?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking time
Cooking a Butterball turkey breast in a crock pot is an easy, hands-off way to get moist, flavorful meat. The cooking time will depend on the weight of the turkey breast and whether it is boneless or bone-in.
For a 3-pound boneless Butterball turkey breast, cook the meat on low for at least 8 hours. However, one source suggests checking on the meat an hour earlier as it may be done sooner. Another source suggests cooking it for 1.5 to 2 hours per pound, which would mean a cooking time of 4.5 to 6 hours for a 3-pound turkey breast.
For a 3-pound bone-in Butterball turkey breast, cook the meat on low for 4 to 6 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If your turkey breast weighs more or less than 3 pounds, you will need to adjust the cooking time. For example, a 2-pound boneless turkey breast should take about 3 hours, while a 4-pound boneless turkey breast should take about 5 to 6 hours.
It is important to note that the turkey breast should be completely thawed before cooking. Additionally, the internal temperature of the meat should reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit after four hours of cooking to be safe to eat.
Pans: Oven-Specific or Versatile?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Internal temperature
The internal temperature of a Butterball turkey breast cooked in a crock pot should be at least 165°F. This is the temperature at which poultry is considered safe to eat.
It is important to note that the cooking time will vary depending on the size of the turkey breast. For example, a 3-pound boneless turkey breast will take around 4 hours to cook, while a larger, bone-in breast may need up to 8 hours or more.
To ensure that your turkey breast reaches the desired internal temperature, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check its progress. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, being careful not to touch any bones, as this can give an inaccurate reading.
If your crock pot has a temperature setting, set it to low and cook the turkey breast for the recommended time based on its size. If your crock pot does not have a temperature setting, it is important to defrost the turkey breast before cooking to ensure it reaches the desired internal temperature.
Once the turkey breast has reached an internal temperature of 165°F, remove it from the crock pot and let it rest for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender final product.
Some recipes recommend cooking the turkey breast to an internal temperature of 155-160°F and then transferring it to a baking dish and placing it under the broiler for a few minutes to brown the skin. This additional step can result in a crispy skin, enhancing the overall presentation and taste of the dish.
Creating Forward Motion with Panning Binaural: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Leftovers
Leftover cooked turkey can be used in casseroles, sandwiches, soups, and salads. You can also chop, slice, or cube the meat to add to pasta dishes.
To enjoy your leftovers, you can thaw the turkey overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm it in the oven or microwave. Heat up some gravy to serve alongside.
- Turkey casserole
- Turkey cranberry sandwich
- Turkey vegetable soup
- Turkey hot shot sandwich
Pan and Zoom: Mastering the Art of Kinemaster Techniques
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook a frozen Butterball turkey breast in a crock pot. The low and slow heat of the crock pot will defrost and cook the meat in one step.
The cooking time depends on the weight of the turkey breast. A 3-pound boneless Butterball turkey breast will take around 8 hours on a low setting. A 4-pound roast will take about 5 hours.
You will need a turkey breast, butter, garlic, herbs, salt, pepper, and liquid such as water, broth, or wine. You can also add vegetables like onions, carrots, and potatoes.
Remove the outer packaging and leave the netting on the turkey breast. Pat the meat dry and season all sides with salt, pepper, and herbs. Place the turkey breast in the crock pot, skin-side up, and add liquid. Cook on low until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
