Crock-pot a turkey? Can you do it?
**Pictures updated 12/13.
Slow Cooker Days
Yes, I’ve slow cooked a turkey before…several times now. It can be done. Thanksgiving 2009 I was feeling really fluent with slow cooking whole chickens. I loved making a meal of the chicken with veggies and a salad and then shredding the leftover meat for other totally different meals: enchiladas, chilies, tacos, pot pies, pesto pizza, Thai dishes, soups, you name it. Turkey seemed so much like chicken, so I thought, “Why stinkin’ not try it??” I never read or researched about it; I just did it. So now at Thanksgiving I slow cook a turkey AND bake a turkey, JUST in case they didn’t turn out, plus I LOVE the leftovers.
Now you might have to get a smaller bird. Actually, you can ask the butcher to cut your bird for free (maybe I’ll do that this year). I have a 7 quart crock-pot that I used for this one. When we tried it the first time, I want to say we had a 13 lb. bird. The bird didn’t quite fit, so my hubs tied the lid down as tight as he could. The slow cooker still wasn’t closed all the way at first, and we covered the cooker with a towel. As the turkey cooked, the juices came out of the turkey, shrinking the turkey a bit, and we could shut the slow cooker all the way.
11/2/12 Update**Using the crock-pot for the turkey is such a great way to help create a stress-free kitchen. In 2011 I had my most stress-free Thanksgiving meal ever because I used my three crock-pot, one with the turkey, one with sweet potatoes, and one with mashed potatoes. I prepared the rolls and pie the night before, served a green salad, and I was good to go! I was surprised at how easy it felt. Then I don’t clean the crock-pot just yet. I leave the bones in and add vegetable scraps to make broth. It’s so, so easy, and nutrient dense.
Easy Crock-Pot Turkey
Ingredients
- turkey thawed and small enough to fit in your slow cooker (or almost small enough)
- water enough to barely cover the bottom of your slow cooker
- 3 T olive oil
- Italian seasonings or flavorings as desired
- salt to taste
Instructions
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Barely cover the bottom of your slow cooker with water.
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Place the turkey in the crock-pot.
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Place oil between skin, and season as desired.
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Cover and cook on low for 8-12 hours depending on the size of the bird. You could start this the night before and free up oven space, and you'll be ready for an early afternoon feast if desired. The turkey is done when an internal temperature of 165 degrees F is reached in the breast and thigh.
The Verdict: The first year we did this, Jonathan said it was the most moist turkey he had ever had in his whole life. No joke! I completely agreed. Try it. See for yourself. Feast and share the things for which you are thankful. We have sooo many blessings!!!
Have you ever crock-potted a ham?
Want 7 other slow cooker recipes for Thanksgiving?
How about some turkey leftover ideas??
For more crock-pot inspiration follow my Cookin’ with the Crock-pot Pinterest Board:
Also, really appreciate that you don’t have a bunch of pics! It takes forever to load when blogs have 50 pics 😉
Thank you so much! Your faith & food tips are a huge blessing to me 🙂
Hi Kyla, You are very kind and sweet for sharing. That is a HUGE blessing to me! God bless you!
So not much water is required for this?
Honestly, you don’t have to add any water because the juices of the turkey come out as it slow cooks. But some people feel better when you start with the bottom of the crock-pot just covered. You can start with 1/2 cup of water, and add water as needed to cover the bottom. Happy Thanksgiving!
hi i was wondering do u have to put the onion undernieth to elavate it?
No you don’t. The turkey will just be immersed in its own broth.
This sounds so delicious and easy. I’m wondering how the meat comes out. Does it shred easily like chicken would or does it can you get thick slices like you would if cooked in the oven?
Hi Tara. Part of it will fall apart and part you’ll be able to slice thickly depending on how long you cook it. The longer it goes, the more it will fall apart like a chicken. Happy Thanksgiving!
How long on low. For a 15pound bird?
I would say about 10-12 hours. If you want it faster, cook it on high. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!
What if it’s still partly frozen
You can still cook it in the crock pot. It will just take longer. The internal temperature needs to reach 165 degrees.
If you brine the turkey. Do you still put the seasonings?
Hi Alex. You can still add the seasonings before cooking. Taste at the end, and add more seasonings if needed.
Have you ever tried this method with stuffing inside? I really love moist stuffing from a turkey!
Hi Christy, I’ve never put stuffing inside a bird in the crock-pot. My hesitance is excessive moisture. You end up with turkey broth when you cook the turkey in the crock-pot, so I’m guessing the stuffing would be soaked. It would still be tasty I bet. Anyway, I would use the broth from the turkey in the stuffing, though. Blessings on your Thanksgiving!
What about the skin? Does it get mushy? Can you broil it after to crisp up skin, I wonder?
Hi Kris. The skin isn’t typically crispy, so you can totally broil as needed. I hope this helps, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Just curious, how long do you have to broil it after cooking the turkey in the crock pot, to crisp up the skin? I don’t want to dry out the turkey in the oven, after getting the bird all nice and moist in the crock pot.
Hi Liane. The time to broil depends on how big the turkey is, how close it is to the broiler, and how hot your oven runs. So my best answer for you is to actually watch the turkey. Annoying answer I know, but if you watch it, it is the best way to ensure you won’t burn it. Best wishes for a moist turkey and crisp skin!
ok, I have cooked chicken, ham, brownies, dressing, and so I thought why not turkey. I thought I would google crock pot turkey and see if anyone else has tried this… thanks for the blog…2 hours into it and I say yeah..`w
Yep! Done all of those, and they all work. You are welcome. Hope you enjoy!!
Hi! What do you do with the oil? Pour on top of bird, or in with water? Thanks! Sounds amazingly Delish!
Hi Heather. Rub it on the turkey. Put it inside the skin. Thanks for asking. Happy Thanksgiving!
I am so excited to try this….I just had surgery on my hip and was not looking forward to cooking but this I can do easily… thank you
Hi Denise. You are welcome! Hope this makes feasting easier!
Thanks for the tip! I slow cook a 10 pound bird in our 7 quart slow cooker. My husband laughed at my attempt to tie down the top but it did work. I kept it in for about 12 hours than sliced it and put it back in half the drippings and warmed up in the crockpot the following day. I used the other half of drippings for gravy. It was great having everything done and the turkey was awesome!
Hi Emily. I’m so glad you guys liked your turkey and were able to get a lot out of it! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Made a turkey for Thanksgiving in the crock pot yesterday. It was so moist and delicious. We recently moved to the Tr-Cities in eastern Washington and have decided to live in a travel trailer until we decide where we want to buy property. I didn’t want to use a propane oven to cook a turkey. The crock pot was the perfect alternative!
Hi Tonya. Thanks so much for sharing! If you’ve never lived in Washington State before, welcome! So glad the turkey in the crock-pot worked for you!
Wondered about slow cooking a whole bird. I’m being creative this Holiday Season…no working range. I’ll be doing the dressing, pumpkin soufflé, and “baked” apples in a three piece (1-qt each) slow cooker, too.
And! A tip to share. Asparagus can be steamed in a coffee percolator. Pour a cup of water into the unit. Wash & trim Asparagus spears. Tie spears into a bundle with bakers twine. Stand bundle inside the unit. Put on the lid. Set to perc cycle. Asparagus is al dante at end of cycle. I like to drizzle the Asparagus with olive oil and sprinkle with spices before serving.
Thanks for the great blog, too!
Hi Telynau. Thanks for sharing your tip! Blessings on your Thanksgiving!
I’m gonna try this method this year. Thanks for the great idea! I’m psyched!
I think I have cooked just about everything in my crock pot except fried chicken:) I use mine all of the time. I have a very good crock pot cornbread dressing recipe that I have made multiple times.
Perfect for the BIG day! Thanks for kicking off the Gluten Free Fridays party this weekend! WOOT! We have some awesome recipes and they just keep coming!! So….Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂 Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
Great idea! I only have a 5qt, so I don’t think a turkey would fit. but one of these days when I get a bigger crock pot ,I will definitely try it! Thanks for linking up to Healthy 2Day Wednesday!
Woman, you are a genius! 🙂 This is the first year we won’t be either at my mom’s or my in-law’s for Thanksgiving and I’ve been debating attempting to bake my first turkey ever… But you had me at crock pot. I’m so trying this! Thanks for the inspiration and for sharing at Tiny Tip Tuesday – I’m sharing on FB and pinning!
Hey Sarah, You are sweet. Let me know how it works for you. We love it! I plan to do it again this year!! Happy Thanksgiving!!
What a great way to cook more turkey and perfect timing because turkey will be cheaper and more available.
I have cooked chicken in the crockpot but never thought about a turkey – great idea! I would love to have you share this on Thursday at Tasty Traditions http://myculturedpalate.com/
I did this for the first time last year. Such a grandiose idea! Thanks so much for sharing and linking back at Weekend Potluck.