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Does anyone else feel like they can only have turkey at Thanksgiving and Christmas?! I’m not sure why I am 40 years old and have always relied on my mama for turkey. Well, I have news for all us turkey cooking ‘fraid-y cats. It’s easy! As a matter of fact, you can cook a turkey breast right in your crock pot!
After getting a great deal on a turkey breast the other day, I started thinking about how I wanted to attempt to cook it. I knew you could cook a whole chicken in the slow cooker so I didn’t see why you couldn’t do turkey as well. Sure enough, I found a recipe at A Year of Slow Cooking. I changed it up a little, and the end result was fantastic!
Ingredients
- 4-6 lb turkey breast
- 2 cups white wine*
- 1 onion, peeled and quartered
- 1/4 cup butter
- handful of parsley (optional)
- 1-2 celery stalks, halved
- salt and pepper, to taste
- *apple juice or chicken broth can be used in place of wine.
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry turkey breast.
- Sprinkle well with salt and pepper.
- Place breast side down in cooker.
- Add onion, parsley, celery, and butter into cavity.
- Pour wine over top of breast.
- Cook 4-6 hours on high or 7-9 on low (internal temp should read 170 on meat thermometer)
The turkey was moist and flavorful! I think if you leave the skin on, you could probably omit the butter altogether. I reduced the amount by half from the original recipe and it was fine. Also, you can add any seasonings to your turkey that you like. For serving, I removed the skin, and the meat came off the bones so easily! I loved the flavor that the wine gave, but as noted in the recipe, you could easily substitute another liquid. (The alcohol cooks out of the wine, and my kids did not notice any unusual flavor, but I did notice the wine a little.) I’m so excited that I have discovered such an easy way to prepare turkey!
Kim is the author of Makin’ it Mo’Betta and blogs about life with 3 kids, 2 crazy dogs, and adventures in the kitchen!
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If you place it breast side down, do you stuff it first, then turn it over? In your picture you show breast side up?
Ha! Cindi I’m glad you pointed that out…it shows how well I pay attention to directions. I cooked it as shown. Therefore, I don’t think it really matters which side you cook it on. Someone correct me if I am wrong! Thanks!
I believe that picture is breast side down as you see the celery sticking out from the cavity. I cook several of these at a time in a smoker for football tailgate parties, but have used a roaster and they do fine either way. Just easier for me to check temp when they are breast side up. I do season mine under the skin with herbs and BBQ rub.
Thanks Rick! I love smoked turkey…I rely on my Dad for that
Smoking 4-6 at a time is tedious with the brining and 12 hour rest in herbs/spices that I give it. I cant wait to try your recipe at home. Never thought about cooking one in the crock pot, but great idea and recipe. Love turkey and this sounds like the easiest way yet!! Thanks so much!
This is one of my favorite ways to cook turkey breast anytime of the year! When I go shopping for turkey breast, I always buy two… one for now and one for the freezer. We love having turkey, it’s so good and so healthy!
I’m definitely going to be buying more turkey now
Kim, I don’t see how much butter you used. Also, did you use a cooking bag (looks like it from the pic)? Any good recipe/tips on the gravy? Thanks!
oops! I accidentally omitted the butter when I typed up the recipe. I used 1/4 cup (1/2 a stick) of butter. I did not use a cooking bag, but I did use a crock pot liner (love those things!). As for the gravy…the turkey breast I bought came with a gravy ‘pouch’! Otherwise I probably would have used gravy from a dry mix. I’ve tried gravy from scratch a couple of times and wasn’t very successful!
You mention leaving the skin on and omitting the butter, but I dont see butter anywhere in the recipe. Should there be? Thanks!
I’ve updated the recipe to include the butter, thanks!
YUM! I’ve done this once and think it’s a perfect way to cook the turkey. So glad you shared. I pinned it so I always have directions.
My grandmother taught me years ago to cook a turkey breast in the slow cooker. I think it was my introduction to how wonderful a slow cooker can be. I used to watch for sales and ask the butcher to cut the breast in half for me. (I was single then.) I just cooked it with potatoes and carrots, like a beef roast, and added a few seasonings. Mmmm. Makes my mouth water to think about how yummy and tender it is. Guess I’m adding this to next week’s menu.
I love reading your posts and wanted to share some information with you… I have friends who hold halal and also ones who are Mormon and will not drink any alcohol. It’s not necessarily true that e all the alcohol cooks out when you’re cooking. For people who want to be sure they can check out the USDA website for a chart explaining what cooks out at what temp and time.
Thanks for sharing so many great ideas!
Thanks for the info Ginger. It’s true that all alcohol does not burn off in certain situations – it does depend on length of time cooked, etc. For this dish, since it cooks for several hours, the alcohol burns off way before the turkey gets done. Of course, it can always be left out of a recipe altogether. I could not find the original chart published by the USDA, but I did find it on another website if anyone is interested in checking it out. http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/blalcohol12.htm It definitely could be important for those avoiding alcohol due to certain medications they are on or for personal/religious beliefs.
Besides, I wouldn’t want to accidentally booze up my kids
Thanks again Ginger!
This is a great idea! David has been buying freshly baked turkey for sandwiches at the local market; but this would be even better, I think. Pinning this one for sure!