Ella Walter
Cooking a 3-pound turkey breast in a crock pot is a convenient and tasty way to prepare a smaller meal without committing to a large roast. This method is perfect for a more intimate holiday gathering or a weekly meal prep, as it guarantees a juicy and flavourful result. The crock pot's ability to lock in moisture and cook slowly ensures the meat remains tender and delicious.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weight of turkey breast | 3 lb |
| Type of turkey breast | Boneless |
| Cook time | 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes |
| Cook temperature | Low |
| Cook temperature range | 165°F to 170°F |
| Cookware | Crock pot |
| Cookware capacity | 6-8 quarts |
| Ingredients | Turkey breast, onion, garlic, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, dried herbs |
| Benefits | Moist, juicy, tender, flavorful, easy to cook, saves oven space |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking time and temperature
If you opt for low heat, the cooking time will range from 3 hours and 45 minutes to 6 hours. This longer cooking time at a lower temperature results in tender and juicy meat. It's a great option if you want to cook your turkey breast slowly and safely.
On the other hand, if you choose to cook on high heat, the cooking time will be shorter, ranging from 2 to 4 hours. This option is ideal if you're short on time but still want to enjoy a delicious, moist turkey breast.
Regardless of the cooking time you choose, it is essential to ensure that the internal temperature of the turkey breast reaches 165°F at its thickest part. This temperature reading indicates that the meat is cooked thoroughly and is safe to consume.
Using a meat thermometer is an accurate way to check the internal temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast and ensure it reaches 165°F before removing the turkey from the crock pot.
Additionally, it is recommended to let the turkey rest for about 20 minutes after cooking. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your turkey breast is juicy and flavorful.
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Preparing the crock pot
Next, add your choice of liquid to the base of the crock pot. You can use water, broth, or wine for this step, and you'll need to add about half a cup. The liquid will prevent the meat from sticking to the base of the pot and will also add flavour and moisture to the turkey breast as it cooks.
Now, it's time to add your vegetables. Carrots, celery, and onions are all great options and will create a delicious broth as your turkey cooks. Cut your chosen vegetables into chunks or wedges and place them in the crock pot, creating a ""raft" that will elevate the meat from the bottom of the pot. You can also add halved garlic cloves for extra flavour.
Finally, you'll want to prepare your turkey breast. For a 3-pound turkey breast, you'll need to pat it dry with paper towels. Then, create a herb butter by mixing together butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and your choice of dried herbs. Rub this mixture all over the turkey breast.
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Preparing the turkey
Start by peeling and cutting two medium onions into wedges. Place these wedges into the bottom of your crock pot. If desired, you can also add other vegetables like carrots or celery to create a flavourful broth. Next, pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix together the butter and seasonings to create a herb butter. You can adjust the amounts of each seasoning to your taste preferences. Rub this herb butter all over the turkey breast.
Place the seasoned turkey breast, skin side up, into the crock pot on top of the bed of onions. If your turkey breast still has the netting on, you can leave it on during cooking and remove it before serving. Cover the crock pot with its lid and set the cooker to the desired temperature and time. For a 3-pound boneless turkey breast, cooking on low heat for 3 hours and 45 minutes to 4 hours and 15 minutes should be sufficient. Alternatively, you can cook it on high heat for a shorter period, but the meat may be less tender.
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Cooking the turkey
Cooking a 3-pound turkey breast in a crock pot is a great option for smaller gatherings or weekly meal prep. It's an easy, hands-off recipe that guarantees juicy and flavorful results. Here's a step-by-step guide to cooking the turkey:
Preparing the Crock Pot:
First, prepare your crock pot by adding some liquid and vegetables to create a flavorful base. Add half a cup of liquid such as water, broth, or wine to the crock pot. This will help prevent the meat from sticking and keep it moist. You can also add halved garlic cloves, onion wedges, and other vegetables like carrots or celery to the bottom of the pot. These vegetables will create a "raft" that elevates the meat and infuses subtle flavors into the broth.
Seasoning the Turkey:
For a delicious herb butter turkey, start by patting the 3-pound boneless turkey breast dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix together 4 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, various dried herbs (such as parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme), and salt and pepper to taste. Generously rub this herb butter all over the turkey breast, ensuring it's well-coated.
Place the seasoned turkey breast, skin side up, into the crock pot. This positioning helps the skin develop a delectable color and reduces the chances of tearing when removing the cooked turkey. Cover the crock pot and set the cooker to the desired temperature and time.
For a 3-pound boneless turkey breast, cook for approximately 3 hours on high heat or 5-6 hours on low heat. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the specific crock pot and the thickness of the turkey breast. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked perfectly. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the breast.
Resting and Serving:
Once the turkey has reached the desired internal temperature, remove it from the crock pot and let it rest for about 20 minutes before slicing. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat stays juicy. After resting, remove the netting and slice the turkey breast. Serve it with your favorite sides, such as stuffing, sweet potatoes, or green bean casserole. Enjoy your perfectly cooked, juicy, and flavorful crock pot turkey breast!
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Resting and serving the turkey
Once your turkey breast has been cooking for the recommended time, you will need to check the internal temperature to ensure it is cooked. A 3-pound boneless turkey breast should be cooked on low for between 3 hours 45 minutes and 4 hours 15 minutes. The internal temperature should be 165°F.
Once the turkey has reached the correct internal temperature, remove it from the crockpot and allow it to rest. Resting the meat is an important step as it allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the meat juicy. You should let the turkey rest for about 20 minutes.
While the turkey is resting, you can finish off any side dishes. You can also make a gravy with the juices from the crockpot. If your vegetables are not fully cooked, you can finish them off on the stove in the broth while the turkey rests.
Once the turkey has rested, remove the netting and slice it. You can then serve it with your chosen side dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes to cook a 3 lb turkey breast in a crock pot. However, some sources suggest cooking it for 3 hours on low.
The crock pot should be set to low heat. However, if you are short on time, you can set it to high heat, but this will reduce the cooking time by an hour.
You can add vegetables such as carrots, celery, and onions to the crock pot to create a "raft" that will keep the meat from sticking to the bottom. You can also add half a cup of liquid (water, broth, or wine) to add flavour and moisture to the meat.
