Cody Casey
Cooking a turkey breast in a crock pot is a great way to ensure the meat is tender and juicy. It's a convenient, hands-off cooking method that locks in moisture and flavour, and doesn't require hours of babysitting like oven-roasting or grilling. But how long should you cook a 2lb turkey breast in a crock pot? Well, it depends on whether your turkey breast is boneless or bone-in. Boneless turkey breasts typically take around 4-6 hours on a low setting, while bone-in breasts can take anywhere from 5-7 hours on low. However, slight weight changes don't significantly impact cooking time, so you can expect your 2lb turkey breast to fall within these time ranges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weight of Turkey Breast | 2 lb |
| Type of Turkey Breast | Boneless |
| Cook Time | 5-6 hours on Low or 3-3.5 hours on High |
| Internal Temperature | 155-160°F |
| Prep Time | 3-10 minutes |
| Additional Ingredients | Unsalted Butter, Garlic, Fresh Herbs, Onion, Chicken Broth |
| Equipment | Crock Pot, Meat Thermometer, Baking Dish |
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What You'll Learn
Bone-in vs boneless
A boneless turkey breast is the perfect size for a crock pot, but you can use any size that fits. A bone-in turkey breast will obviously take up more space, so you will need to ensure your crock pot is large enough to accommodate it.
Bone-in
A bone-in turkey breast can be cooked in the crock pot from frozen or partially thawed, but it will take longer to cook if it is frozen. A 6-pound bone-in turkey breast takes about 5 hours to cook in the crock pot, while a 10-pound turkey breast will take about 8 and a half hours. A larger, 9-pound bone-in turkey breast may not fit in a standard 6.5-quart crock pot, so you will need to pay attention to size when choosing your crock pot.
Boneless
A 2-pound boneless turkey breast will take between 2 hours 45 minutes and 3 hours 15 minutes to cook in the crock pot. A 3-pound boneless turkey breast will take 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes. A 4-pound boneless turkey breast will take 4 hours 45 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes.
General Tips
It is recommended to cook the turkey breast on low heat and to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. You can also cook the turkey breast on high heat for a shorter amount of time. Always let the turkey rest before slicing to allow the juices to recirculate and keep the meat juicy.
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Cooking times and temperatures
For a boneless turkey breast, you should cook it for 5-6 hours on a low setting or 3-3.5 hours on a high setting. It is recommended that you use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the turkey breast has reached 165°F. It is safe to leave the meat in the crock pot after it has reached this temperature.
For a bone-in turkey breast, you should cook it for 6-7 hours on a low setting or 3.5-4.5 hours on a high setting. Again, it is recommended that you use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.
It is worth noting that some sources suggest cooking to a temperature of 155-160°F, as the temperature will continue to rise while broiling and resting.
One source suggests that you cook a bone-in turkey breast for 6 hours on a low setting, without specifying a temperature.
Another source recommends cooking a 3lb boneless turkey breast for at least 8 hours on a low setting, with 10 hours being fine, too. This source also recommends adding a small amount of liquid to prevent the meat from drying out or burning.
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Preparing the turkey
First, ensure that your turkey is fully thawed if it was previously frozen. Next, remove any "extras" from the turkey, such as a gravy packet or trussing twine. Rinse the turkey breast and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut off any excess skin, leaving only the skin covering the breast.
Create a rub for the turkey breast by mixing softened butter with minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, sea salt, black pepper, and paprika. You can also use olive oil or butter-flavoured coconut oil instead of butter. Fresh herbs are recommended, but dried herbs can be used in a pinch. Slather the rub all over the outside of the turkey breast and under the skin.
Place a bed of sliced onions at the bottom of the crockpot to act as a rack, which will help the turkey cook more evenly and absorb flavour from the onions. You can also add other ingredients such as carrots and potatoes to cook alongside the turkey. Pour in half a cup of liquid such as water, chicken broth, or wine to create a steaming effect and keep the turkey moist.
Place the turkey breast on top of the onions, with the skin side up. This positioning will help the skin develop a beautiful colour and reduce the risk of tearing when removing the turkey from the crockpot. Cover the crockpot and you're ready to start cooking!
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Using a rack
Cooking a 2lb turkey breast in a crock pot with a rack is a great way to ensure your meat is roasted rather than stewed. A rack will keep the turkey breast raised, allowing it to cook more evenly. You can use vegetables like onions, carrots and celery to create a "raft" to keep the meat raised, or you can use a small metal rack. If you don't have a rack, you can crumple up four balls of aluminium foil and place them in the bottom of the crock pot, then put the turkey on top.
It is important to note that the cooking time for a 2lb turkey breast in a crock pot will vary depending on the heat setting. On a low setting, the turkey breast will take around 2 hours and 45 minutes to 3 hours and 15 minutes to cook. On a high setting, the cooking time will be reduced, but the exact time is not clear. As a rule of thumb, a 2lb turkey breast will take around 15 minutes per pound to cook on high, and 22 minutes per pound on low.
It is important to use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked through. The turkey breast should be removed from the crock pot when the internal temperature reaches 160°F. The temperature will continue to rise after removal and should reach 165°F after a few minutes of resting.
When using a rack, it is also important to add a small amount of liquid to the crock pot to prevent the meat from drying out or burning. This can include water, broth, wine, or stock.
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Making gravy
Step 1: Prepare the drippings
Firstly, collect the drippings or juices from the cooked turkey. These juices are packed with flavour and will form the basis of your gravy. If you've cooked your turkey on a bed of vegetables like onions and garlic, you can pour the drippings into a saucepan, leaving the vegetables behind. If you prefer a clearer gravy, you can strain the juices to remove any small bits of food.
Step 2: Skim the fat
If you want to reduce the amount of fat in your gravy, you can skim off some or all of the fat that rises to the top of the drippings. This step is optional and depends on your personal preference.
Step 3: Add stock (optional)
If you don't have enough drippings, you can supplement with unsalted chicken stock. Aim for around 2 cups of liquid in total.
Step 4: Thicken with flour
In a separate small skillet or saucepan, melt some butter (around 4 tablespoons). Whisk in an equal amount of flour (also around 4 tablespoons) and cook this mixture for about a minute. This will create a thickening paste known as a roux.
Step 5: Combine the drippings and roux
Slowly pour the drippings into the roux, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Keep whisking until you have a smooth, combined mixture.
Step 6: Season and simmer
Add salt and pepper to taste, then simmer the gravy until it reaches your desired thickness. Keep tasting and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Step 7: Serve
Your gravy is now ready to serve! Pour it over your crockpot turkey breast and enjoy.
This gravy-making process is straightforward and will result in a delicious addition to your meal. It's a great way to use the natural juices and flavours from the cooked turkey to create a complementary sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 4 hours to cook a 2lb boneless turkey breast in a crock pot. If your turkey breast has bones, it will take 5 to 6 hours to cook.
First, grease the bottom of the crock pot. Then, rub the turkey breast with butter and seasonings. Place the turkey breast on a bed of onions in the crock pot and add some broth. Cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours, depending on whether the turkey breast is boneless or bone-in.
The ideal temperature for cooking boneless turkey breast in a crock pot is 165°F at the center. For bone-in turkey breast, the temperature should be 155-160°F as the temperature will rise while broiling and resting.
