
Turkey sausage is a versatile dish that can be cooked in a crockpot in a variety of ways, including with peppers, onions, potatoes, and various sauces. The cooking time for turkey sausage in a crockpot varies depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used, but it typically ranges from 4 to 11 hours on low heat. Some recipes may also include a high-heat setting, which can reduce the cooking time to 3 to 4 hours. It's important to note that the cooking time can be affected by factors such as the size and model of the crockpot, the thickness of the sausage, and individual preferences for doneness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Sausage | Italian turkey sausage links |
| Browning the Sausage | Optional, but recommended for flavor |
| Cooking Time | 4-11 hours |
| Additional Ingredients | Onions, garlic, tomato paste, oregano, red pepper flakes, beef broth, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, wine |
| Serving Suggestions | Serve with pasta, rice, or inside buns for sandwiches |
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What You'll Learn

Browning the sausage beforehand
Browning the sausage before putting it in the crock pot is a popular technique to enhance the flavour of the dish. This technique is especially useful when making a slow cooker Italian turkey sausage ragu. To brown the turkey sausage, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a medium skillet until hot. Then, add the sausage and cook until it is browned, breaking it into pieces as it cooks. You can also add two tablespoons of salted butter for additional flavour. Make sure not to crowd the pan, as the sausages will not brown properly. Cook the sausage for 1 to 2 minutes on all four sides, or until the outsides are golden brown. The sausages do not need to be cooked all the way through, as they will finish cooking in the crock pot.
Furthermore, browning the sausage can improve the texture of the dish. By browning the sausage, you can add a crispy element to the otherwise soft and tender crock pot ingredients. This contrast in textures can make the dish more appealing and satisfying. Additionally, browning the sausage can help to prevent it from becoming too soft during the long cooking process in the crock pot.
Overall, browning the sausage beforehand is a simple step that can significantly enhance the flavour, texture, and overall quality of the crock pot turkey sausage dish. It is a technique worth considering, especially for those who want to take their crock pot meal to the next level.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for turkey sausage in a crock pot varies depending on the recipe and the specific type of sausage used. Here is a detailed breakdown of the cooking times mentioned in various recipes:
Slow Cooker Sausage with Sauce:
This recipe involves cooking Italian sausage links with spaghetti sauce, green pepper, and onion in a slow cooker. The recommended cooking time for this dish is 6 hours on low heat.
Slow Cooker Italian Turkey Sausage Ragu:
For this recipe, it is recommended to brown the turkey sausage in olive oil first and then add it to the crockpot. The remaining ingredients, including onions, garlic, tomato paste, oregano, and red pepper flakes, are cooked in the same pan before being added to the crockpot. The cooking time for this recipe is 9-11 hours on low heat, with 10 hours mentioned as the perfect cooking time.
Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers:
In this recipe, Italian turkey sausage links are cut into thirds and seared in a pan before being added to the crockpot. The recommended cooking time for the sausages in this recipe is 4 hours on low heat, stirring occasionally.
Slow-Cooker Turkey Sausage Tomato Sauce:
This recipe involves cooking turkey sausage with ground turkey, onion, garlic, and wine before adding the mixture to a slow cooker with other ingredients. The recommended cooking time for this dish is 4 hours on low heat or until the sauce thickens.
Crock Pot Sausage and Potatoes:
This recipe suggests a cooking time of 6-8 hours on low heat or 3-4 hours on high heat for the sausages and potatoes. It is also mentioned that additional vegetables can be added for the last 2-3 hours to avoid overcooking them.
It is important to note that the cooking times may vary slightly depending on the specific crock pot or slow cooker being used, as well as individual preferences for doneness.
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Ingredients
The ingredients you will need for cooking turkey sausage in a crock pot will vary depending on the recipe you are following. Here are the ingredients for some popular turkey sausage crock pot recipes:
Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers
- Italian turkey sausage links (uncooked, in their casing)
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
- Wine (dry red or white) or chicken broth
- Bell peppers (a mix of sweet and green)
- Crushed tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Slow Cooker Italian Turkey Sausage Ragu
- Turkey sausage
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Tomato paste
- Oregano
- Red pepper flakes
- Beef broth
- Crushed tomatoes
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Crock Pot Sausage and Potatoes
- Sausage
- Baby potatoes
- Green beans, carrots, or red peppers (optional)
- Cheddar cheese soup, cream of chicken soup, or cream of celery soup (optional)
- Chicken broth
- Creole seasoning (optional)
- Ranch seasoning (optional)
Slow Cooker Sausage with Sauce
- Italian sausage links
- Spaghetti sauce
- Green pepper
- Onion
Slow-Cooker Turkey Sausage Tomato Sauce
- Turkey sausage
- Ground turkey
- Onion
- Garlic
- Wine
- Tomato paste
- Spaghetti
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Serving suggestions
Turkey sausage can be served in a variety of ways when cooked in a crockpot. Here are some serving suggestions:
Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
One option is to cook turkey sausage with peppers and onions in the crockpot. You can also add other ingredients like garlic, mushrooms, and tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes for extra flavour. This dish can be served in several ways:
- On its own with a side of roasted vegetables
- With zucchini pasta, regular pasta, cauliflower rice, or regular rice
- Inside buns, hoagie rolls, or hot dog buns with provolone or mozzarella cheese on top
- With cornbread or mashed potatoes to soak up the sauce
Crockpot Sausage and Potatoes
Another option is to pair turkey sausage with potatoes in the crockpot. You can use baby potatoes and add other ingredients like onions, garlic powder, and green beans. This dish can be served as a hearty and comforting meal on its own or with a simple side salad.
Slow Cooker Italian Turkey Sausage Ragu
For a saucy option, you can make a slow cooker ragu with turkey sausage, onions, garlic, tomato paste, oregano, red pepper flakes, and beef broth. This can be served over rice, or used as a sauce for pasta or sandwiches.
Other Suggestions
Turkey sausage can also be served in sandwiches or over rice, paired with roasted veggies or garlic roasted potatoes, or even topped with Parmesan cheese.
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Recipe variations
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
This recipe is all about technique since the ingredient list is short. Start by lightly coating a 6-quart or larger slow cooker with nonstick spray. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add half a tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, add half of your 2.5 pounds of Italian turkey sausage links, cut into thirds, ensuring they are in a single layer. Cook each side for 1-2 minutes or until the outsides are golden brown. You do not need to cook the sausages all the way through. Repeat this process with the remaining sausages.
Next, cook one large yellow onion, halved and cut into 1/4-inch-wide strips, on a stovetop until tender. Deglaze the pan with garlic and red pepper flakes, then pour in wine or chicken broth for an alcohol-free option. After scraping up the browned bits at the bottom of the pan, add the onions and juices to the slow cooker, along with bell peppers (a mix of sweet and green peppers) and crushed tomatoes. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Serve with roasted vegetables, garlic roasted potatoes, pasta, rice, or in buns for sandwiches.
Slow Cooker Sausage with Sauce
This recipe involves combining Italian sausage links, spaghetti sauce, green pepper, and onion in a slow cooker and mixing until well combined. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Serve on hoagie rolls or over rice.
Crock Pot Chili with Turkey & Sausage
Start by sauteing green pepper and onion in olive oil until tender. Add this to the crockpot and season with chili powder, basil, oregano, and garlic powder to taste. If using pre-seasoned canned tomatoes, you may need less seasoning. Add a small spoonful of sugar or a squirt of ketchup to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Add tomato or V8 juice to achieve your desired consistency. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or longer if on low. Serve with cornbread or Fritos.
Slow Cooker Italian Turkey Sausage Ragu
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a medium skillet until hot. Add turkey sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into pieces as it cooks. Put the sausage into the slow cooker. Using the same skillet, cook onion, garlic, tomato paste, oregano, and red pepper flakes until the onions are softened. Deglaze the pan with beef broth, ensuring you scrape up any brown bits. Transfer this to the slow cooker and add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir the ingredients together, cover, and cook on low for 9-11 hours. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you cook turkey sausage in a crock pot for 4-6 hours on a low heat setting.
You can add a variety of ingredients to your crock pot when cooking turkey sausages, including onions, peppers, potatoes, carrots, green beans, and red peppers. You can also add in some vegetables for extra nutrition.
It is recommended that you brown the turkey sausages in a skillet before adding them to the crock pot. You can do this by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and then adding the sausages, cooking them for 1 to 2 minutes on all four sides until they are golden brown.











































