This crockpot turkey is so easy to put together and what I love most about it is you free up your oven for sides and desserts! Youll love how easy it and tasty is it is to cook a whole turkey in a slow cooker!
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If youre looking to make turkey but want to make something smaller, you can always make my slow cooker turkey breast recipe!
Every year, at a company that I worked at for 8 years, we had a Thanksgiving luncheon. Everyone signed up to bring different things. Since there were so many of us, five to six people signed up for the stuffing, different veggies, the pie, and so on. We even had many turkeys! My former boss, BJ, always cooked his turkey in the slow cooker. He said his mom cooked it that way when he was growing up. The turkey always turned out moist.
I emailed him the other day because this year, we decided to cook our Thanksgiving dinner early- we enjoyed it on Sunday night and I wanted to try my hand at cooking the turkey in the slow cooker. He told me you can leave it in longer than the 6 to 8 hours but it starts to fall apart, which is totally fine! Just make sure the turkey you buy will fit in your slow cooker!
If youre running low on oven space or just want a low maintenance way to cook a turkey- the slow cooker is the way to go! This turkey version is a modified version of my popular crockpot whole chicken recipe that we LOVE to make all the time!
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I put one of the garlic cloves and the rest of the dry ingredients I didnt use on top of the veggies.
Place the turkey on top of the vegetables and cover the crockpot. Cook for 6 to 8 hours.
Remove the turkey and place on an oven-safe baking dish. Broil the skin in your oven broiler for 4 to 5 minutes, watching it carefully so it doesnt burn. Allow the turkey to rest for 30 minutes before carving.
Skim the fat from the broth and save it for another recipe! Im thinking turkey ramen noodle soup are in order for this week!
Once you carve the turkey, add some broth to the turkey to keep the meat moist.
We loved this and it made it less stressful in the kitchen since I was able to do all of my sides in the oven without them having to compete with the turkey. Well definitely do this again!
Wishing you and yours a happy Thanksgiving and hoping that you have a lot to be thankful for! I know I do! Huge hugs!
Slow cooking a whole turkey in a crockpot or slow cooker is a foolproof way to cook a moist, flavorful bird for holidays like Thanksgiving or anytime you want turkey on the menu. It frees up valuable oven space, requires little hands-on time, and results in incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone meat.
While the idea of fitting an entire turkey in a slow cooker may seem unlikely, it’s easier than you think with the right techniques. In this complete guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know to successfully slow cook a delicious whole turkey from start to finish.
Benefits of Slow Cooking Turkey
There are several advantages to slow cooking turkey compared to the traditional roasted method:
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Saves oven space With the turkey in the slow cooker the oven is freed up to cook side dishes and pies. No juggling multiple items for oven space.
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Hands-off cooking: Once the turkey is set up in the slow cooker, it can cook unattended for hours. No basting required.
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Tender, moist meat The moist, gentle heat of the slow cooker prevents turkey from drying out Turkey cooks in its own juices for maximum flavor and tenderness.
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Adds flavor: Herbs, spices, and aromatics have hours to permeate the meat to give outstanding taste.
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Easier cleanup: A slow cooker liner makes cleanup a cinch compared to scrubbing a messy roasting pan.
How to Choose a Turkey for the Slow Cooker
For best results, opt for a small to medium-sized fresh or thawed turkey. Here are some size guidelines based on your slow cooker capacity:
- 3-4 quart slow cooker: 4-6 lb turkey or just breast
- 5-6 quart slow cooker: 6-8 lb whole turkey
- 7+ quart slow cooker: 8-10 lb whole turkey
Make sure the turkey is fully thawed before slow cooking. Place frozen birds in the refrigerator 2-3 days in advance to thaw.
For maximum flavor, select a free-range or organic turkey when possible. The exercise and diverse diets of these birds lead to firmer, better tasting meat.
Preparing the Turkey for the Slow Cooker
Proper preparation is key for even cooking and incorporating flavors into the turkey:
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Remove giblets and neck from the turkey cavities. Discard or use for gravy.
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Pat turkey dry inside and out with paper towels to help crisp skin.
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Truss or tie legs together with cooking twine to hold shape.
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Carefully loosen skin from breast meat and rub seasonings directly onto meat.
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Generously coat entire turkey with oil, herbs, and spices under and on top of skin.
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Stuff cavity with aromatics like onions, garlic, citrus, and fresh herbs.
How to Season a Turkey for the Slow Cooker
For amazing flavor, rub and inject the turkey with the following:
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Oil: Coat turkey with olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter so seasonings stick.
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Herbs & spices: Apply sage, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, oregano.
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Citrus: Add sliced oranges, lemons, limes in the cavity or under skin.
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Aromatics: Stuff cavity with onion, garlic, ginger, celery, apples.
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Savoriness: Coat with mustard, soy sauce, miso paste, anchovy paste.
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Sweetness: Rub with maple syrup, honey, brown sugar to balance flavors.
Aim for bold seasoning since the turkey cooks for hours mellowing the flavors. Get creative with spice blends like Cajun, jerk, Italian herb, garam masala, etc.
How Long to Slow Cook a Turkey
Cook times vary based on size of turkey and your particular slow cooker. Use these general guidelines:
- 6-8 lb turkey: 6-8 hours on LOW
- 10-12 lb turkey: 8-10 hours on LOW
- 14-15 lb turkey: 10-12 hours on LOW
Always cook until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F. If uncertain, use a meat thermometer.
7 Creative Ways to Flavor Slow Cooker Turkey
Take your turkey’s flavor to the next level with these unique spice combos:
- Lemon-Herb: Stuff with lemons, rosemary, thyme, sage. Spread herb butter under skin.
- Tex-Mex: Rub with chili powder, cumin, garlic, coriander, smoked paprika, lime juice.
- Indian Spiced: Massage with garam masala, turmeric, coriander, ginger, garlic, yogurt.
- Asian Inspired: Stuff with ginger, scallions, garlic. Brush on soy sauce, sesame oil, chili sauce.
- Italian Herbed: Stuff with rosemary, parsley, garlic. Coat with olive oil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes.
- Jamaican Jerk: Make jerk sauce from allspice, thyme, garlic, brown sugar, habanero. Inject into turkey.
- Latin American: Rub with cumin, oregano, lime zest, jalapeño, cilantro, olive oil, garlic, salt.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Turkey
Is it safe to slow cook a turkey?
Yes, turkey is perfectly safe when properly slow cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. Maintain temperatures above 140°F and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Should you cook the turkey on high or low?
Cook turkey on the low setting for the most tender, moist results. High heat can cause the outer edges to overcook.
How long per pound should you slow cook a turkey?
Estimate about 15-20 minutes per pound on the low setting. A 12 lb turkey cooks for 9-10 hours on low in a slow cooker.
Can you cook a frozen turkey in the slow cooker?
No, only slow cook fully thawed turkey. Frozen birds won’t cook evenly in a slow cooker which poses safety risks.
What temperature should the turkey reach after 4 hours?
After 4 hours on low, the turkey should hit around 145°F-155°F in the thickest part of breast. Cook until 165°F for food safety.
How do you get crispy turkey skin from the slow cooker?
Broil the cooked turkey for 3-5 minutes to crisp the skin. Watch closely to avoid burning.
The Easiest Way to Cook Juicy, Flavorful Turkey
Slow cooking turkey makes holiday meals a breeze. With the right size bird and some simple prep, you can enjoy incredibly moist, delicious turkey straight from the slow cooker. Just add your favorite bold spices and let the slow cooker work its magic for a fuss-free feast!
Whole Turkey in a Slow Cooker Recipe
- ▢ 4 teaspoons salt
- ▢ 2 teaspoons paprika
- ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- ▢ 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- ▢ 2 carrots, scrubbed, no need to peel, chopped in halves or thirds
- ▢ 2 celery stalks, cut in thirds
- ▢ 4 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
- ▢ 1 whole lemon, quartered
- ▢ 8 to 9- pound whole turkey, fresh, if frozen then defrosted
- Combine salt, paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, white pepper, garlic powder and black pepper in a small bowl and set aside. Prep the vegetables and place inside the slow cooker (I use a 7 quart thats oval shaped but this one is an 8-Quart or this one).
- Remove turkey from packaging and remove neck and pouch with organs. Discard or save for use in another recipe. Optionally, rinse turkey with water. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Fold back the wings. Rub smashed garlic all over outside of the turkey. Put one garlic in the slow cooker and the rest inside the turkey. Put the rub all over the outside and inside the turkey. Add the quartered lemon to the inside of the turkey. Tie the legs with kitchen twine.
- Place turkey on top of the vegetables, you may need to move the veggies around depending on the size of your slow cooker. Cover slow cooker and cook turkey on low for 6-8 hours. (I used a 9.82-pound turkey, it took about 6 1/2 hours. The time will depend on the size of the turkey and your slow cooker.)
- Remove turkey and place in a 9×13 glass or ceramic baking dish. Place baking dish in the oven under the broiler for about 4-5 minutes but watch it carefully. It may take less time or a little longer, depending on the temperature of the broiler in your oven, you don’t want to burn your turkey.
- Allow turkey to rest after removing it from the broiler for 25 to 30 minutes.
