Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey Crown
Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey Crown is a super simple stress-free way to cook a moist and flavourful turkey crown (breast) joint in your slow cooker.
Why make Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey Crown?
If you are looking for a stree-free and flavourful way to prepare turkey then your slow cooker is your best friend. Slow cooking ensures the turkey crown remains juicy and tender. The gentle, consistent heat of the slow cooker helps prevent the meat from drying out, which can be an issue with traditional roasting methods.
Cooking the turkey crown slowly also allows the flavours of the herbs, to infuse throughout the meat. The closed environment of the slow cooker helps intensify these flavours, resulting in a more aromatic and tasty dish.
What is a Slow Cooker?
A slow cooker or crockpot is a large pot with its own heating element in the base. A slow cooker uses less electricity than your oven and is safe to leave cooking when you are not around.
What kind of slow cooker do I need to make the turkey crown?
There are many different brands and types of slow cookers. They also come in different sizes, I prefer a large slow cooker so that I can batch cook and freeze some of the recipe for another day. Here are a few of the different kinds of slow cookers on the market:
- Traditional slow cookers have a crockery pot that lifts out of the heating part of the appliance.
- Sear and Stew slow cookers have a metal pot that you can use on the stovetop to brown meat and vegetables before transferring to the slow cooker base for long cooking.
- Multi Cookers often have a slow cooker setting as well as being suitable for pressure cooking and sometimes air frying or roasting as well.
- I have both a crockery pot slow cooker and a sear and stew model. I tend to use the sear and stew slow cooker most and that is the model I used for this recipe.
You can cook the turkey crown in any of these types of slow cooker. I have both a crockery pot slow cooker and a sear and stew model. I tend to use the sear and stew slow cooker most and that is the model I used for this recipe.
What ingredients do I need to make Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey Crown?
This is a simple recipe that has only a few ingredients. Here is what you need:
- turkey crown
- olive oil
- herbs
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- stock (broth)
- onion
- lemon
Scroll to the end of this article to find the full recipe and all quantities of ingredients, with step-by-step photo instructions.
What is a turkey crown?
A turkey crown consists of the breast meat on the bone, with the legs and wings removed, making it a convenient and manageable option for smaller gatherings. It is ideally suited for those who don’t need to prepare a whole turkey but still want a festive centrepiece.
What herbs do I need for the Herbed Turkey Crown?
This recipe combines rosemary and thyme, two traditional fresh herbs which are readily available in most supermarkets and greengrocers.
Can I use different herbs?
You could use different herbs, but then the flavour would be different. You can use only thyme or combine it with parsley or chives. Rosemary is better used sparingly as it has a strong flavour that can overpower other flavours.
Can I substitute dried herbs?
The recipe for Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey Crown has been tested with fresh herbs. If you can’t get fresh herbs then you could substitute dried herbs. However, dried herbs are much more intense so use half the quantities listed for fresh herbs.
Why use garlic powder rather than fresh garlic?
I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic in slow cooker recipes as it disperses evenly throughout the dish, ensuring consistent flavour. It also saves time on preparation, as there’s no need to peel or chop, making it a convenient choice for an easy, fuss-free meal.
I’ve also found that sometimes fresh garlic can turn a strange blue/green colour during long slow cooking. This colour change is due to a natural chemical reaction. When garlic is cut or crushed, its enzymes interact with sulphur-containing compounds, which can then react with trace amounts of acid during cooking.
This reaction produces pigments called sulphur compounds, which give the garlic its unexpected colour. While it might look unusual, green or blue garlic is still safe to eat and does not affect the flavour of your dish.
What kind of stock (broth) should I use?
I use chicken stock either fresh, or made with a stock cube or stock pot. If you have turkey stock then that would be ideal but chicken stock works perfectly.
Can I use the stock to make gravy?
The stock and juices from slow cooker turkey crown makes delicious gravy! Once the turkey has been cooked, strain the cooking juices into a jug. You can then use this to make or add to your gravy.
Why should I put a lemon inside the turkey crown?
This is a tip that I learned from my grandmother who always put a lemon or half a lemon inside a chicken when roasting. The lemon flavour from this method is subtle and the lemon also releases moisture which helps keep the turkey meat moist too.
If you don’t have a lemon you can leave it out, the turkey crown will still be delicious.
Can I make Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey Crown ahead of time?
It is possible to cook the turkey crown in your slow cooker the day before. Cool and store in the refrigerator. If you reheat the whole turkey crown then the meat may become dry. So I recommend that you carve the turkey crown while cold and cover with gravy before reheating in the microwave.
Can I freeze the Herbed Turkey Crown?
I don’t recommend freezing the whole cooked turkey crown. As above, you can carve it while cold cover with gravy and freeze in freezerproof containers. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or in the oven covered in foil. The meat should be heated until piping hot before serving.
How many people will the Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey Crown serve?
It’s difficult to give an exact number of people because it depends on how you serve it and on you and your guests appetites. However, a 3 kg (6 lb) turkey crown should provide enough meat for around 8 people.
Can I use this method for a larger turkey crown?
The first thing you must consider is whether a larger turkey crown will fit into your slow cooker. If you have a large slow cooker then this may be an option, you then need to consider that a larger crown will take longer to cook.
I have not tested the time for a larger turkey crown, so you would need to check with a skewer or a thermometer to ensure that the turkey is fully cooked.
Vegetarian
This recipe is not suitable for vegetarians.
Gluten Free
The majority of the ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten free. However, please check stock cubes or stock pots for wheat flour. As always, you should check every ingredient to ensure that they are suitable for your dietary needs.
For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
How should I serve Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey Crown?
When it comes to serving your slow cooker turkey crown, allow the meat to rest for 10–15 minutes after removing it from the cooker to ensure it remains juicy and easy to carve.
Slice the turkey crown into even portions and arrange them on a warmed serving platter. Garnish with the fresh herbs included in the cooking for a finishing touch that enhances both the visual appeal and flavour of your meal.
Serve the turkey crown with classic accompaniments such as roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a generous helping of gravy. consider serving with cranberry sauce or bread sauce on the side.
Perfect for Christmas and Thanksgiving
Try these delicious side dishes to take your special dinner to the next level:
- Brussels sprouts with bacon and mustard dressing,
- Hasselback carrots with brown sugar glaze,
- Cauliflower cheese
- Easy cranberry and red wine sauce.
SLOW COOKER HERBED TURKEY CROWN
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- small bowl
- Sharp knife
- chopping board
- Measuring spoons
- measuring jug
Ingredients
- 3 kg (6 lb) turkey crown
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary
- 2 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 150 millilitres (¾ cups) chicken stock
- 1 medium onion
- ½ lemon
Instructions
- Put 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a bowl.
- Add 1 teaspoon of finely chopped rosemary,2 teaspoons of finely chopped thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and ½ teaspoon garlic powder to the olive oil and mix together.
- Loosen the skin on the breast of the turkey.
- Push the herb oil mixture up under and on top of the skin of the turkey.
- Cut a lemon in half and put half of the lemon inside the cavity of the turkey crown.
- Peel and slice the onion and place the slices in the base of your slow cooker.
- Put the 3 kg (6 lb) turkey crown into your slow cooker on top of the onion slices.
- Add 150 millilitres (¾ cups) of chicken or turkey stock to the slow cooker.
- Add the lid and cook on LOW for 4 hours. Check that the meat is cooked with a skewer, the juices should run clear. Or use a meat thermometer, pierce at the thickest part of the bird, the reading should be 74℃ (165℉).
To brown in the oven
- Pre heat your oven to 200℃/220℃ Fan/400℉.
- Remove the turkey from the slow cooker and strain the juices which you can use to make gravy.
- Place the turkey on an ovenproof plate or platter. Cook in the oven for 5-10 minutes until the the skin is golden brown.
To brown in an air fryer
- If your turkey will fit in your air fryer you can use this to brown the skin. Cook for 5 -7 minutes at 200℃ until the skin is golden brown.
- Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before serving with gravy, roast potatoes, and some seasonal vegetables.
I’d never thought to use my slow cooker to cook turkey, it worked a treat and the turkey was perfectly moist and not at all dry.
Thanks, Jen. It’s such an easy way to cook it and the results are good.
I used the slow cooker function on my instant pot – it did fit surprisingly! And it came out really juicy. The few minutes to crisp up the skin worked much better than I expected too!
That’s good to hear.