Turkey in the Crock Pot - Simplify Your Thanksgiving Holiday

Turkey in the Crock Pot or Slow Cooker is a very good way to get a jump on your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or other holiday preparations. It's also a good idea when you just want a special dinner and don't have the time to watch and fuss over a turkey the regular way in the oven.

Benefits of Preparing Turkey in the Crock Pot

It's so easy! No more peeping in the oven and wondering if the turkey will be done in time for dinner - or even worse - done on the outside and cold or raw on the inside. With a crock pot, you can set your turkey to cook slowly and it will be cooked when you are ready to eat.

A programmable crock pot with a temperature probe is the perfect way to cook a turkey. Just push the probe into the thickest part of the turkey and program the crock pot to cook until it reaches 170 degrees.

If you don't have a programmable crock pot with a temperature probe, then use a digital kitchen thermometer to keep track of the temperature of your bird.

It is also better to start with the crock pot on high until the turkey reaches 140 degrees and then continue on or switch to low for the rest of the time. This ensures that your turkey will be free from bacteria or any other icky things that might cause food poisoning.

Recipe for Turkey in the Crock Pot

The simplest recipe for turkey in the slow cooker is one in which you don't have to worry about an abundance of herbs or cream gravies.

1 turkey breast or very small whole turkey, fully thawed in the refrigerator
Salt and Pepper
1 can of chicken (or turkey) broth

Remove wrapping and any netting from the thawed turkey. Rinse the turkey with cool water and pat dry. Remove any bagged giblets or turkey neck that come with your turkey. Salt and pepper one side of your turkey (as well as the inside, if applicable) and set it in the crock pot, salted side down. Salt and pepper the other side. Add the can of broth to the slow cooker, pouring it around the turkey in the slow cooker.

Program your crock pot to 140 degrees and set to cook on High. Insert the temperature probe into the thickest part of the turkey, taking care not to hit a bone. Start your slow cooker.

It will take a few hours to reach 140 degrees. Once you've reached this temperature, reset the probe to reach 170 degrees. At this point you can continue cooking on High or change to Low.

When the turkey reaches 170 degrees remove it from the crock pot and let it "rest" for 15 minutes or so before you cut into it. This lets the juices settle and will keep your turkey moist.

You should also keep the pan drippings from the crock pot. You can make gravy with them now, use them to add liquid to make stuffing, or refrigerate or freeze them to use at a later date.

How to Use Your Slow Cooker Turkey

This recipe will provide a neutral tasting and moist turkey that you can use for sandwiches or chop up to use in other dishes.

It is also perfect for preparing additional turkey ahead of a holiday such as Thanksgiving or Christmas when you know you'll need extra and don't want to take up space in your oven.

While cooking turkey in a crock pot won't make the most beautiful bird, it will make a tasty one!

Sources:
Personal Experience.
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