Marianne Martinez
Cooking a whole turkey in the crock pot is a convenient and tasty alternative to roasting it in the oven. It is a forgiving method, as the low temperature of the slow cooker prevents the meat from drying out or burning. The crock pot is also a good option for those who don't have access to a roasting pan or oven. There are a variety of recipes available for cooking turkey in a crock pot, including garlic butter turkey, turkey burgers, turkey tacos, and turkey chilli.
How to cook turkey in a crock pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of turkey | Whole turkey or turkey breast |
| Weight | Less than 9 pounds |
| Prep time | Minimal |
| Cook time | 3-4 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low |
| Cook temperature | 165°F to 180°F |
| Brining | Not required |
| Basting | Not required |
| Browning | Optional |
| Moisture | High |
| Recipe options | Garlic butter, vegetables, herbs, spices |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking times for whole turkeys
Cooking a whole turkey in a crock pot is a great option if you don't want to use an oven or a grill. It is a simple, stress-free way to cook a whole turkey, with minimal prep and no brining or basting required.
The cooking time for a whole turkey in a crock pot can vary depending on the size of the turkey and the specific crock pot being used. It is important to ensure that the crock pot is large enough to accommodate the turkey snugly, with the lid fitting securely.
For a smaller turkey, around 9 pounds, cooking in a crock pot for about 9 hours on low or 4 hours on high should be sufficient. For larger turkeys, such as those weighing 11-12 pounds, it may take a bit longer, with some sources recommending up to 8 hours on high or 10 hours on low.
It is worth noting that crock pots can vary in temperature, so it is important to monitor the internal temperature of the turkey to ensure it reaches the safe zone. The thickest part of the breast should reach an internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit, while the thigh should reach 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, some people recommend cooking the turkey breast-side down for the first three-quarters of the cooking time to prevent the white meat from drying out, and then flipping it over for the remaining time.
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Using garlic butter
To make the garlic butter, you'll need butter, garlic, and a selection of herbs and spices. For the butter, unsalted is recommended as it gives you more control over the amount of sodium in your dish. For the garlic, you can use fresh cloves, jarred minced garlic, or garlic powder. As for herbs and spices, you can use Italian seasoning, rosemary, thyme, parsley, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Mix and mash these ingredients together in a small bowl. You can make this garlic butter mixture ahead of time and leave it in the fridge overnight to let the flavours develop and brine the turkey.
When you're ready to cook, start by patting the turkey very dry with a paper towel so that the garlic butter sticks better. Loosen the skin of the turkey with your fingers and spread the garlic butter underneath the skin and on top. You can also sprinkle some seasoning on top of the turkey's skin for extra flavour. If you want to add moisture to your crock pot and keep the turkey even juicier, add some water, chicken broth, or stock to the bottom of the pot. Place the turkey inside, cover, and cook.
For a whole turkey, cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 7-8 hours. For a turkey breast, cook on low heat for 5 to 6 hours or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours. The turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165-170 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Preparing the crock pot
Once you have the right crock pot for your turkey, you can prepare the pot by adding half a cup of liquid—water, broth, or wine—to the base. This will help prevent the meat from sticking to the base of the pot and keep it moist. You can also add more flavour by placing halved garlic, onions, and other ingredients of your choice at the bottom of the pot. If you are cooking a whole turkey, you can stuff the inside of the bird with butter, herbs, or seasoning.
For ground turkey, it is recommended to brown the meat before placing it in the crock pot. Browning the meat unlocks delicious flavour compounds through the Maillard reaction. You can also add vegetables to your crock pot, but it is a good idea to cook the meat first and drain some of the juices before adding the vegetables.
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Cooking with vegetables
Cooking turkey tips in a crock pot with vegetables is a simple and tasty way to prepare a whole turkey. It's an ideal method for cooking less expensive cuts of meat, making them tender and juicy.
First, line your crock pot with a slow cooker liner. Then, prepare the turkey by removing the giblets and stuffing the cavity with aromatics and vegetables such as onions, celery, garlic, herbs, carrots, oranges, and apples. You can also add some olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the outside of the turkey. Place the turkey in the crock pot on top of the vegetables, adding any leftover stuffing to the pot.
For extra flavour, you can add water to the bottom of the crock pot and cook the turkey for 3-4 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low. You can also melt garlic butter and brush it over the skin before broiling for 5-8 minutes.
You can also make a gravy using the juices from the crock pot. Simply strain the juices into a pot, whisk in some broth and corn starch, and cook over medium-high heat until thickened.
Some suggested vegetables to include are:
- Onions
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- Sweet potatoes
- Mushrooms
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Cooking ground turkey
Ground turkey is a versatile meat that can be cooked in a crockpot in several ways. It is a healthy alternative to ground beef, as it is lighter and has less fat content.
One option is to cook ground turkey tacos. To make this dish, you can start by spraying your slow cooker with a non-stick cooking spray. Then, add your ground turkey and other ingredients, such as beans, corn, cheese, vegetables, and Greek yogurt or sour cream. You can serve the taco filling in traditional soft or crunchy taco shells, corn tortillas, or lettuce wraps.
Another option is to make a slow cooker ground turkey and mushroom dish. This recipe includes ground turkey, canned cream of mushroom soup, canned mushrooms, and turkey gravy packets. You can serve this dish over rice, noodles, potatoes, or lettuce wraps, and garnish it with sliced green onions.
If you're looking for a heart-healthy option, you can try making a slow cooker turkey chili. This recipe includes ground turkey, chopped tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, low-sodium chicken broth, and spices such as chili powder, cumin, and oregano. You can also add vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and jalapeños to customize the dish to your taste.
When cooking ground turkey in a crockpot, it is recommended to brown the meat first in a separate skillet to improve the flavor and texture. However, some recipes, such as the ground turkey tacos, suggest that browning the meat is not necessary. It is also important to note that ground meat needs to come to temperature within 2 hours in a crockpot to ensure food safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the size of the turkey. A whole turkey can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours on high or 7 to 8 hours on low. Turkey breasts can take 5 to 6 hours to cook, while ground turkey should be cooked for 3 to 4 hours on high or 7 to 8 hours on low.
It is recommended to thaw and brown ground turkey before placing it in the crock pot. For whole turkeys, you can season the turkey with butter, salt, and pepper, and place it on a bed of vegetables and spices.
Crock pots are great for cooking turkey because they lock in moisture, preventing the meat from drying out. You can add liquid to the bottom of the crock pot to enhance moisture and flavour. Additionally, it is important to note that turkeys heavier than 9 pounds may not cook safely in a crock pot.
Ground turkey is very versatile and can be used in a variety of crock pot recipes such as chili, burgers, casseroles, and tacos.
