Slow Cooker Turkey Crown

Tender slow cooker turkey crown recipe that take little time to prep and come out perfect when you’re ready to eat. Use simple seasonings like with our Instant Pot turkey, or our dry rub for the best Crockpot dinner with only white meat, 2 breasts attached.

Is it safe to slow cook a turkey breast?

Do you want to know how to cook a turkey crown for the holidays? I did too because there were only a few of us at home that year. I think I like leftover turkey recipes even more but sometimes you don’t want to cook the whole thing because that would just be too much. Now you can cook just the white meat, breasts, low and slow all day and it turns out great!!

What is a turkey crown?

A turkey crown is a turkey that has had its legs and wings removed, leaving just the breast meat attached to the bone. It is a popular choice for 2 people or smaller gatherings or when you want the simplicity of cooking only the white meat.

Let’s talk a little bit about slow cooking shall we?? First off I have a few different varieties and I love them all. Each one has an occasion to be used like….

1. This is my favorite 6 quart programmable one with a locking lid so it’s great for bringing to a potluck too.
2. I prefer not to use liners, but rather just spray olive oil inside before adding my food for easier cleanups.

Let me give you a peek of my pretty thang I bought recently. It goes with my kitchen so I can just leave it out on the countertop all the time. 😉

Ingredients

1. 4.5 lb turkey crown was used
2. Butter or dairy free alternative works
3. Lemons for a fresh taste
4. Water or chicken broth to steam, you need a bit of liquid
5. Seasonings you love on top of your meat, what we used in printable recipe card below

Can you cook a boneless turkey crown in a slow cooker?

Yes you could, it would take about 1 hour less cook time but you would use the same directions below in the recipe card. This was a bone in, I have only made an air fryer boneless turkey breast before this way and honestly I like the texture, you will too if you like a bit of a crisp to the skin.

Do you add water when cooking turkey breasts?

Yes in this case you will need some sort of liquid. You could use anything you want though and it adds a bit of flavor to it too.

Slow Cooker Frozen Turkey Crown Recipe

What’s another plus to making it this way? Eliminating a dish from your oven gives you more room for holiday side dishes! If you forgot to defrost yours don’t worry. In the Crock the timing doesn’t really change much, maybe 30 minutes depending on the size but it is negligible.

Turkey Crown Seasonings

When seasoning a turkey breasts, you have a variety of options to enhance its flavor. Here are some common seasonings and herbs you can use:

1. Start with a foundation of salt and black pepper to enhance the natural flavors of the turkey breast.
2. Add depth of flavor with garlic powder and onion powder. These can be sprinkled directly on the turkey breast or mixed into a seasoning blend.
3. Use a combination of dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, and oregano to infuse the turkey breast with aromatic flavors. You can use them individually or in combination.
4. Add a touch of smokiness and color with sweet or smoked paprika. It complements the flavors of turkey well.
5. This pre-made blend typically includes a mix of herbs and spices specifically designed for poultry. It often contains sage, thyme, marjoram, and other seasonings that pair well with turkey.
6. Grate the zest of a lemon and sprinkle it over the turkey breast to add a bright, citrusy flavor.
7. If available, use fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, and parsley. Finely chop the herbs and rub them onto the turkey breast or tuck whole sprigs under the skin.
8. Before seasoning, brush the turkey breast with olive oil or melted butter. This helps to keep the meat moist and adds richness.

Remember to adjust the seasoning amounts based on the size of the turkey breast and your personal taste preferences. Additionally, if you have a specific recipe or flavor profile in mind, you can tailor the seasonings accordingly.

This works great if you have a small family. We had just 4 of us this year and still had leftovers to make 2 dinners on the days after. Here are quick step by step directions to make Crockpot turkey breast. There is a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post as well.

How to Cook a Turkey Crown in Slow Cooker

1. Spray inside of pot with non stick spray. Pour liquid into bottom of pot.
2. Combine seasonings into a bowl and mix. Use half of the softened butter and rub this under the skin of the breast. Rub half of the seasoning rub underneath too.
3. Sprinkle and rub remaining seasonings on the top of the 1 lb turkey breast. Put into middle of pot.
4. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours or until middle of thickest part of the meat reaches 165 degrees F with a meat thermometer and juices should run clear.
5. Slice with sharp knife and serve

How to make turkey breast skin crispy

1. If you want crispy skin after you slow cook, preheat broiler. Put on sheet pan and crisp for 5-10 minutes.
2. If you have a larger air fryer or Ninja Foodi you could spray top with olive oil spray and crisp in that at 400 for a few minutes.

Can you make gravy out of turkey drippings?

To make turkey neck gravy, melt butter that is remaining in a saucepan. Add drippings from slow cooker into pan. You can add more broth at this time depending on how much you want. In a small bowl whisk together 3 tbsp cornstarch with some of your hot liquid until smooth. Pour this into pan and stir as it thickens. Add more this way until it is the consistency you want.

Can you slow cook a whole turkey?

You could if you cut up a raw turkey yourself and cook it broken up into pieces. That way it fits and cooks faster too. We are here to help here. If you’re ready to let your pot do the cooking, this one is for you.

If you have a Foodi and want to get really crispy skin, follow the last steps in our pressure cooker turkey breast.

Variations

You can vary this in many ways. Adding a variety of seasonings to the outside will change it up a bit, and a marinade can be used beforehand. Use the same amount of liquid inside the pot so it stays moist and “steams” during the cook time. That can be altered too by using any sort of broth you want. Here are a few ways to add flavor:

• Overnight turkey brine with a citrus touch is nice.
• We go simple or use a dry rub with our baked Butterball turkey breast

Once it’s crisped you’re ready to serve! Timing below is for a bone in skin on breast. If yours is boneless it will likely take less time so check at least an hour beforehand by taking the internal temperature. Nutritional information is also included but will vary according to weight and saturated fat content.

Making turkey gravy with drippings is a great way to enhance the flavor of your gravy using the juices released during roasting. Here’s a basic recipe for turkey gravy using drippings: Ingredients:

• Turkey drippings from the roasting pan or pot as we used here
• 4 tablespoons of fat (from the drippings or additional butter/oil)
• 4 tablespoons of all purpose flour
• 4 cups of turkey or chicken broth (preferably homemade)
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Turkey Gravy from Drippings

1. Collect the Drippings: After roasting the turkey, remove it from the roasting pan and set it aside to rest. Place the roasting pan over medium heat on the stovetop.
2. Skim the Fat: Skim off any excess fat from the surface of the turkey drippings, leaving behind approximately 4 tablespoons of fat. If there isn’t enough fat, you can supplement it with additional butter or oil.
3. Prepare the Roux: Add the 4 tablespoons of fat to the roasting pan and heat it over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously to form a smooth paste called a roux. Continue cooking and whisking the roux for about 2-3 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
4. Deglaze the Pan: Slowly pour in the turkey or chicken broth while whisking continuously. The liquid will mix with the roux, thickening the gravy. Scrape the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits, which add flavor to the gravy.
5. Simmer and Thicken: Bring the mixture to a simmer while whisking constantly. Continue simmering for about 5-10 minutes or until the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency. If it becomes too thick, you can add more broth to thin it out.
6. Season: Taste the gravy and season with salt and pepper to your preference. Remember, the turkey drippings may already contain salt, so adjust accordingly.
7. Strain (Optional): If desired, strain the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps or solids, resulting in a smoother texture.
8. Serve: Transfer the gravy to a serving bowl or gravy boat and serve it alongside the roasted turkey.

Remember, the flavors of the gravy will depend on the drippings and seasonings from your particular turkey, so adjust the seasonings and consistency to suit your taste. Enjoy your homemade turkey gravy with all the delicious flavors from the roast!

Storing leftover turkey breast properly is essential to maintain its freshness and prevent foodborne illnesses. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to store leftover turkey breast:

How to Store Leftover Turkey

1. Allow the cooked meat to cool down at room temperature for no more than two hours after it has been cooked. This helps to prevent the growth of bacteria.
2. Separate the turkey breast meat from the bones. Slice or chop the meat into smaller portions if desired. This will make it easier to store and reheat later.
3. Choose suitable airtight containers or freezer bags for storing the turkey. Make sure they are clean and food-safe. You can also use plastic wrap or aluminum foil as an alternative.
4. Divide the turkey into smaller portions based on your intended use. If you plan to use it within a couple of days, separate it into meal-sized portions. If you’re storing it for longer, consider smaller portions for easier thawing and reheating.
5. If you plan to consume the leftover turkey within 3-4 days, store it in the refrigerator. Place the turkey breast meat in the airtight containers or bags, seal them tightly, and then place them in the refrigerator.
   • Freezing: If you want to store the turkey breast for a longer period, freezing is the best option. Wrap the turkey tightly in plastic wrap or place it in airtight freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the containers or bags with the date and contents for easy identification later.
     • Place the wrapped or bagged turkey breast in the coldest part of the freezer, such as the back or bottom shelf.
       • Avoid storing it near the freezer door to prevent temperature fluctuations. Ideally, use the frozen turkey within 2-6 months for the best quality.
6. When you’re ready to use the frozen turkey breast, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it thaw slowly overnight. If you’re in a hurry, you can use the defrost setting on your microwave or thaw it in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes.

Remember to always use safe food handling practices when storing, thawing, and reheating leftover turkey. If the turkey shows signs of spoilage, such as an off smell, strange texture, or discoloration, it’s best to discard it to avoid any health risks. And then we will talk about the best leftover turkey recipe here.

What to Make with Leftover Turkey Breast Meat

You really can make anything with it that you would normally use chicken for. It works the same way inside leftover turkey soup, tossed in gravy and served as sliders, or instead of tuna inside a creamy casserole with noodles and veggies.