Ella Walter
Cooking a boneless skinless turkey breast in a crock pot is a simple and foolproof way to prepare a delicious and juicy meal with minimal effort. This method is perfect for a small Thanksgiving gathering or as an easy weeknight dinner, requiring just a few simple ingredients and a slow cooker. The result is tender and flavourful turkey meat that can be served with a variety of sides and enjoyed by your family and friends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cookware | Crockpot/Slow Cooker |
| Meat | Boneless Turkey Breast |
| Weight | 3-6 lbs |
| Prep Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Ingredients | Turkey, Butter, Salt, Pepper, Spices, Onion, Garlic, Water/Broth |
| Cook Time | 2-6 hours |
| Temperature | 165-170°F |
| Rest Time | 5-20 minutes |
| Sides | Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Sweet Potato Casserole, Candied Yams, Corn Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Prep time: 5-10 minutes
Cooking boneless skinless turkey breast in a crock pot is a simple and foolproof way to prepare a delicious and juicy meal. With just 5 to 10 minutes of prep time, you can have a tasty and tender turkey dish that is perfect for a small Thanksgiving dinner or an easy weeknight meal. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Prepare the Crock Pot
Start by greasing the bottom of your crock pot to prevent sticking. You can use softened butter, cooking spray, or brush it with olive oil. This step ensures that your turkey doesn't stick to the surface and makes cleanup easier.
Step 2: Create a Bed of Aromatics
Slice an onion and place it at the bottom of the crock pot. You can also add other aromatics like garlic cloves, carrots, celery, or fresh herbs. This step adds flavour to your turkey and creates a delicious base for your gravy.
Step 3: Prepare the Turkey Breast
Remove the netting or twine from the turkey breast and pat it dry with paper towels. You don't need to rinse it, but removing any extra moisture helps the rub adhere better. You can also save the netting or twine for later use in gravy.
Step 4: Make the Rub
Combine softened butter with your choice of spices to create a flavourful rub. You can use a simple mixture of salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like paprika and turmeric for a vibrant colour. The rub infuses your turkey with flavour and moisture during the cooking process.
Step 5: Place the Turkey in the Crock Pot
Place the turkey breast on top of the bed of aromatics in the crock pot. If you're using a 3-pound turkey roast, you can also add one cup of water or broth to the pot. However, some prefer not to add liquid to avoid the dish becoming too watery.
Step 6: Set the Cook Time
Set your crock pot to cook on low for 3 to 6 hours, depending on the size of your turkey breast. A larger bone-in breast may take longer. It's important to monitor the internal temperature of the turkey to ensure it reaches 165°F to 170°F when it's done. You can use an instant-read thermometer for this.
With these simple steps, you can have a delicious boneless skinless turkey breast cooked to perfection in your crock pot with minimal prep time!
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time for a boneless skinless turkey breast in a crock pot can vary depending on the desired level of doneness and the specific appliance being used. Here are the general guidelines for cooking time and temperature:
It is recommended to cook the turkey breast on low heat for an extended period, ensuring that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This temperature reading is crucial to ensure the meat is cooked thoroughly. Some sources suggest an internal temperature of 170°F (77°C). Using a meat thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the meat to get an accurate reading.
For a 3-pound boneless turkey breast, the cooking time can range from 3 to 6 hours on low heat. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the specific crock pot and its heat settings. As a guide, for every pound of turkey, plan for around 1 hour of cooking time on low heat. Therefore, a 6-pound turkey breast would require approximately 6 hours on low.
If you prefer a faster cooking time, you can opt for a higher heat setting. For instance, cooking the turkey breast on high heat for 2 to 3 hours can also yield satisfactory results. However, it is important to monitor the meat closely to prevent overcooking or drying out.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the cooking time may be influenced by the presence of bones. Bone-in turkey breasts may require slightly longer cooking times compared to their boneless counterparts.
Once the desired internal temperature is reached, it is essential to let the meat rest. Remove the turkey breast from the crock pot and let it rest for about 15 to 20 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tender meat.
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Resting and serving
Once your boneless skinless turkey breast has reached an internal temperature of 165°F, it's done. Remove the roast from the crockpot and let it rest for 5-20 minutes. This is an important step as it keeps the meat juicy by allowing the juices to settle after cooking.
If you want to make gravy, remove 1 cup of juices from the crockpot and strain them through a mesh sieve into a measuring cup or bowl. You can also add aromatics like onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and/or fresh herbs to the crockpot to flavour the drippings for gravy.
After resting, remove the netting and slice the turkey breast. If you have a skin-on turkey breast and prefer crispy skin, put the roast into an air fryer or broiler for a few minutes. Serve the sliced turkey with your favourite sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potato casserole, or cranberry sauce.
If you need to cook the turkey earlier in the day, it can stay in the slow cooker for 2-3 hours on the "keep warm" setting. It's best to undercook it slightly and aim for an internal temperature of 150-155°F, as it will continue to cook on the "keep warm" setting. Check the internal temperature before serving to ensure it has reached a safe temperature of 165°F.
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Making gravy
Once your boneless, skinless turkey breast is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and let it rest for 5-20 minutes before slicing. Then, to make the gravy, remove 1 cup of the juices from the crockpot and strain them through a mesh sieve into a measuring cup or bowl.
Next, heat some butter and flour in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly for about 1 minute. Then, slowly pour in the strained juices, and whisk until the gravy is smooth and has reached your desired consistency. If you prefer a thinner gravy, you can add a little more liquid.
You can also add aromatics to the crockpot while cooking the turkey to give extra flavour to the gravy. Use ingredients like onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and fresh herbs.
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Storing and reheating
Storing:
If you need to store your cooked turkey breast, it is best to do so as close to serving time as possible. Turkey is a lean meat, and it tends to dry out when stored for too long. However, if you need to make it ahead of time, follow these steps:
- After cooking, allow the turkey breast to cool completely.
- Once cooled, wrap the entire turkey breast or individual slices tightly in foil. This helps to reduce moisture loss during storage.
- Place the wrapped turkey in the refrigerator. It is best to store it overnight or for a maximum of one day before reheating and serving.
Reheating:
There are several ways to reheat your boneless skinless turkey breast without drying it out:
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the foil-wrapped turkey breast on a wire rack and heat for 35-40 minutes. This method helps distribute heat evenly and prevents the meat from drying out.
- Crock Pot: Add enough stock or thin gravy to cover the sliced turkey in the crock pot. Reheat for about an hour or until the meat is warmed through. This method is ideal if you want to serve multiple people, as it keeps the meat moist and juicy.
- Stovetop: For individual servings, you can reheat the sliced turkey by dipping it in hot chicken or turkey stock on the stovetop. This method ensures the meat stays moist and is heated evenly.
- Sous Vide: If you have access to a sous vide machine, you can reheat the turkey breast by vacuum sealing it and then immersing it in hot water until warmed through. This method ensures even heating and moisture retention.
When reheating, it is crucial to monitor the temperature and avoid overheating, as this can dry out the meat. Always aim for low and slow reheating methods to ensure your boneless skinless turkey breast remains juicy and tender.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook boneless skinless turkey breast in a crock pot for 4-6 hours on low heat or 2-3 hours on high heat.
The crock pot should be set to low heat, around 165℉.
Remove the netting and any extras such as the neck, giblets, or gravy packet. Dry the turkey breast with paper towels and coat it with a rub made of butter and spices.
Place the turkey breast on a bed of aromatics such as onions, garlic, carrots, and herbs at the bottom of the crock pot. Add one cup of water or broth.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey breast. It is done when it reaches 165-170°F. Remove from the crock pot and let it rest for 5-20 minutes before slicing.
