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Home » Xmas » Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Crown

Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Crown

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This Slow Cooker Turkey Crown recipe is my saviour this Christmas. A foolproof and easy way to get juicy turkey every time. No more worrying about dried out, turkey shoe leather plus the added bonus of the oven being free for all your delicious sides. Ideal for Thanksgiving too. It's an absolute breeze, pour yourself a Snow Ball.

slow cooker roast turkey with roast potatoes and carrots on a large platter with a gravy jug behind, some champagne glasses and some pine cones in the background.

What Is A Turkey Crown?

A Turkey Crown is a turkey with the wings and legs removed. It is usually still attached to the bone.

It is quicker to cook than the whole bird and easier to carve and ideal for those that don't like the darker meat, my family included.

For me there is no question about which I prefer. It is just so much easier and less faff on a day that is hectic enough for the chief cook...me.

carved turkey crown on a wooden chopping board

How Long Do I Cook A Turkey Crown In The Slow Cooker/Crock Pot For?

Make sure your turkey is fully defrosted if frozen. Then remember to take out your turkey from the fridge at least 30 minutes before you are going to start cooking it.

To cook a 2 kg (4.4 lbs) crown on the bone will take 4-5 hours on High. It's likely that your joint weight will fall either side of the 2 kg mark so plan your cooking time accordingly.

This year I have a crown joint in the freezer that is just under 2 kg so I will be aiming for 4 hours on High but I will be prepared to cook for longer if it is not ready in that time.

It is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165 F/75 C or the juices run clear from the thickest part of the breast when you insert a sharp knife.

I use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. If you are unsure then cook it some more and test again in 30 minutes. Try to be as quick as you can when testing so as to keep the heat in the pot as much as possible.

Here is some great advice about cooking etc turkey safely.

Smaller joints will take less time and obviously bigger joints will take longer. However you need to ensure that if your crown is bigger than 2 kg that it will fit in your slow cooker.

Mine is 5.7 litres and it easily fits this 2 kg/4.4 lb joint in. But the 3.5 litre slow cookers/crock pots will not be big enough for this size joint.

Generally speaking:

1 kg / 2 lb: 3 - 4  hours on high
2 - 3 kg / 4 - 6 lb: 4 - 5 hours on high
4  kg / 8 lb: 5 - 6 hours on high

It is best to check if your turkey is done as soon as the shorter time length is up for your size joint.

Because the turkey is somewhat pale after it is cooked in the slow cooker/crock pot I like to bronze it either under the grill or in a very hot oven (220 C/425 F/Gas Mark 7) for about 15 minutes.

I simply brush it with olive oil before putting it in to brown.

turkey crown on a roasting tray

You will need to rest your Turkey for about 45 minutes. I use silver foil or a large sheet of baking paper to cover and then put a couple of large clean tea towels or small hand towels on top.

If the turkey is cooked  way too early for your schedule then you can carve into slices after it has rested and reheat back to temperature in the slow cooker in the gravy for when you are ready to all sit down to eat.

A friend of mine actually cooks hers the day before and reheats like this on the big day.

How To Cook A Turkey Crown In The Slow Cooker

 Ingredients

2kg/4.4 lb Turkey Crown Joint - The best quality you can manage although the slow cooker will bring juiciness to most.

Celery - a couple of whole stalks

Carrot - large carrot

Onion - medium standard onion

Bunch of Sage - I love sage but you can substitute rosemary and thyme etc

Large Bay Leaf - gives a great savoury flavour

Seasoning - salt and black pepper

Gravy

3 tbsp Cornflour and water - to thicken the gravy

500 mls Chicken Stock - double strength

turkey crown on a plate with celery, carrot and an onion to the side aswell as some sage

Recipe Steps

  • Take out your turkey from the fridge at least 30 minutes before you are going to start cooking it.
  • Put the celery stalks in the pot along with the onions, carrot and sage.
celery, carrots, onion and sage in a slow cooker pot
  • Put the Turkey on top (no liquid needed).
turkey crown on a bed of vegetables in a pot
  • Place the lid on and cook for 4-5 hours on High. Don't open the lid as it will let the steam out and slow down the cooking time.
  • Fifteen minutes before the cooking time is up turn your grill on to high.
  • When the turkey is cooked then take it carefully out of the cooking pot. I use two carving forks, one at each end to try to support the joint equally. I put it onto a rack in a roasting tray but just in a roasting tray is fine too.
slow cooker cooked turkey joint on a chopping board
  • Brush the skin with olive oil and brown under the grill for 10-15 minutes. You can do this in a very hot oven too.
cooked turkey on a rack in a roasting tray
  • Set aside on a chopping board and cover with silver foil or baking paper and some clean towels to rest for at least 45 minutes. This will ensure that the meat is as moist as it can be.
  • Whilst the turkey is resting you can make the gravy. Remove the vegetables from the turkey juices left in the slow cooker pot from the turkey and discard.
  • Carefully pour the turkey juices into a medium sized saucepan along with 500 mls of chicken stock. The slow cooker pot will be very hot so be careful.
turkey gravy in a saucean with a cornflour slurry in a mug next to it
  • Bring to a strong simmer. Stir the cornflour and water together in a small jug or mug and add to the saucepan. Use a whisk to stir the gravy as it thickens. Add more cornflour and water if you need to thicken it more.
  • Season to taste.

What Do I Serve With Slow Cooker Turkey Crown?

I personally like to serve Pork Stuffing, Roast Potatoes, Red Cabbage, Carrots and Petit Pois Peas.

Other alternatives are Cauliflower Cheese, Dauphinoise Potatoes, Bread Sauce and Pigs In Blankets are some of the more traditional sides.

I also have my Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding. Made early November for easy reheating on the day. Rich and gorgeous, just to finish off the indulgent day. Where's the sofa?

Top Tips

  • Make sure your slow cooker/crock pot is big enough for your turkey joint.
  • It is very important to make sure your turkey is defrosted in time if it's frozen. It will take about 24 hours for a 2kg joint to defrost in  the fridge, 48 hours for a 4 kg bird. Do not cook it until it is completely thawed.
  • Generally speaking:1 kg / 2 lb: 3 - 4  hours on high
    2 - 3 kg / 4 - 6 lb: 4 - 5 hours on high
    4  kg / 8 lb: 5 - 6 hours on high

     

    It is best to check if your turkey is done as soon as the shorter time length is up for your size joint.

  • Use a meat thermometer to easily check if your turkey is safely cooked. It needs to have reached 165 F/75 C
  • Brown your Turkey Joint in a hot oven 220 C/425 F or under a hot grill/broiler to get a fabulous bronzed finish.
  • Rest the Turkey for at least 45 minutes to let the juices relax into the meat.

Part of the fun for me is the delicious ways to use up the leftovers.

Here is my favourite way to use up the leftover turkey.

Turkey Biryani

And here is yet another great way like this to use your slow cooker with this Beef Joint Recipe

sliced slow cooker beef joint on a chopping board
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Slow Cooker Turkey Crown

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This recipe for Slow Cooker Turkey Crown is a gamechanger. Super easy and low stress it produces tender and juicy meat every time. Simply flick a switch and forget about it.
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 4 hrs 15 mins
Resting Time 45 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, English
Servings 6
Calories 374 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 2 kg turkey crown
  • 1 large carrot
  • 2 large celery stalks
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 large sage stalk and leaves
  • 1 large bay leaf

Gravy

  • 500 mls boiling water
  • 2 chicken stock pots
  • 3 tbsp corn flour
  • 4 tbsp cold water

Instructions
 

  • Remove your turkey crown from the fridge 30 mins before you're ready to cook. Season with salt and pepper
  • Put the celery stalks in the pot along with the onions, carrot, bay leaf and sage.
  • Put the Turkey Crown on top.
  • Place the lid on and cook for 4-5 hours on High. Don’t open the lid as it will let the steam out and slow down the cooking time. See recipe notes below for more cooking times if your crown is bigger/smaller.
  • Fifteen minutes before the cooking time is up turn your grill on to high.
  • When the turkey is cooked then take it carefully out of the cooking pot. I use two carving forks, one at each end to try to support the joint equally. It can be tricky. I put it onto a rack in a roasting tray but just the roasting tray is fine too.
  • Brush the skin with olive oil and brown under the grill for 10-15 minutes. You can do this in a very hot oven too.
  • Set aside on a chopping board and cover with silver foil or baking paper and some clean towels to rest for at least 45 minutes. This will ensure that the meat is as moist as it can be.
  • Whilst the turkey is resting you can make the gravy. Remove the vegetables from the turkey juices left in the slow cooker pot from the turkey and discard.
  • Carefully pour the turkey juices into a medium sized saucepan along with 500 mls of double strength chicken stock (remember that the slow cooker pot will be very hot). Bring to a strong simmer. Stir the cornflour and water together in a small jug or mug and add to the saucepan. Use a whisk to stir the gravy as it thickens. Add more cornflour and water if you need to thicken it more.
  • Season to taste.
  • Apply To Santas Ruddy Face

Notes

  • Make sure your slow cooker/crock pot is big enough for your turkey joint.
  • It is very important to make sure your turkey is defrosted in time if it's frozen. It will take about 24 hours for a 2kg joint to defrost in  the fridge, 48 hours for a 4 kg bird. Do not cook it until it is completely thawed.
  • Generally speaking -
    1 kg / 2 lb: 3 - 4  hours on high
    2 - 3 kg / 4 - 6 lb: 4 - 5 hours on high
    4  kg / 8 lb: 5 - 6 hours on high
    It is best to check if your turkey is done as soon as the shorter time length is up for your size joint. This year I have a crown joint in the freezer that is just under 2 kg so I will be aiming for 4 hours on High.
  • Use a meat thermometer to easily check if your turkey is safely cooked. It needs to have reached 165 F/75 C
  • Brown your Turkey Joint in a hot oven 220 C/425 F or under a hot grill/broiler to get a fabulous bronzed finish.
  • Rest the Turkey for at least 45 minutes to let the juices relax into the meat.
All nutritional information is approx and meant as a guide only

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 73g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 180mg | Sodium: 1036mg | Potassium: 937mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2167IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 2mg

All nutritional information is approximate and intended only as a guide.

Keyword slow cooker turkey, turkey, turkey crown,
Tried this recipe?Take a pic and tag @applytofaceblog on Instagram. I would so love to see them!

Do let me know how you get on in the comments below or come on over and join me on social media. I would love to connect with you.

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Comments

  1. Clare

    October 22, 2020 at 4:53 pm

    Absolute game changer! Thank you x
    Genius

    Reply
    • Jenny

      October 22, 2020 at 6:07 pm

      Thanks it so is. Such great flavour too x

      Reply
  2. Cat | Curly's Cooking

    October 23, 2020 at 10:29 pm

    5 stars
    I always seem to run out of room in the oven when I'm cooking a roast so this is a fantastic idea! Even better at Christmas when you have even more things on the go! Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare.

    Reply
    • Jenny

      October 30, 2020 at 7:36 am

      Thanks Cat, it is a gamechanger for sure!x

      Reply
  3. Yvonne Bruun

    November 14, 2020 at 8:38 am

    I will definitely be doing this for Christmas Jenny
    I'm sure it will be as yummy as your slow cooking beef which I will also be doing the day before

    Reply
    • Jenny

      November 24, 2020 at 5:27 pm

      Thank you so much Yvonne! You're so lovely for letting me know x

      Reply
  4. Donna

    December 29, 2020 at 11:09 am

    5 stars
    This is the most amazing way to cook the Christmas turkey
    My results were fabulous, will use this method every year
    Thank you Jenny for showing me how to free up oven space and have a tasty & moist bird !

    Reply
    • Jenny

      January 07, 2021 at 2:29 pm

      Thanks so much Donna! Its a game changer isn't it?! Thank you so much for letting me know x

      Reply
  5. Gina

    December 17, 2021 at 2:58 pm

    5 stars
    Jenny, sounds good to me but you don’t say to add the stock with the turkey when it goes into cooker - so not sure what to do here. Sorry if it’s blatantly obvious and I’ve asked a dumb question 😊

    Reply
    • Jenny

      December 22, 2021 at 1:54 pm

      Hi, sorry I missed this comment and have amended the post to be clearer. It does not use the stock to cook in only for the gravy after cooking x

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Jenny Walters. A mother of two and passionate filler of bellies with stress free, simple and delicious recipes that gladden the soul. I am at heart a home cook.

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