Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Crown

This Slow Cooker Turkey Crown recipe is my saviour this Christmas. A fool proof and easy way to get really juicy turkey every single 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.

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.

*Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe card*

How Long Do I Cook A Turkey Crown In The Slow Cooker 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.

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.

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.

Here is some great advice about cooking etc turkey safely.

What Size Turkey Crown Will I Need?

Roughly speaking :

You will need about 150 grams (5.3 oz) -175 grams (6.2 oz) cooked turkey meat per person.

• 2 - 3 people - 1.5 - 2 kg (3.3 lbs - 4.4 lbs)
• 4 - 6 people - 2 kg - 3 kg (4.4 lbs - 6.6 lbs)
• 6 - 9 people - 3kg - 4 kg (6.6 lbs - 8.8 lbs)

Here is a really useful portion guide on how much you will need for each person for Christmas Day.

*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.*

Should I Buy Fresh or Frozen Turkey?

Frozen is usually better value and you can obviously buy it way before the Christmas supermarket rush which in itself is a genius touch.

You do have to be careful though to factor in the thawing time to all your prep timetable.

Check the pack instructions, but an approximate thawing guide is 10-12 hours per kilogram in a fridge at 4°C. Defrost in a fridge and not at room temperature.

I honestly don't think there is any advantage to buying a fresh turkey but I keep an open mind.

Slow Cooker Turkey Crown Recipe

 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

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.

• Put the Turkey on top (no liquid needed).

• 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.

• 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 chicken stock. The slow cooker pot will be very hot so be careful.

• 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.
• Slice the turkey when good to Christmas go.

Serving Suggestions

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.
• You will need about 150 grams (5.3 oz) -175 grams (6.2 oz) cooked turkey meat per person. 2 - 3 people - 1.5 - 2 kg (3.3 lbs - 4.4 lbs) - 4 - 6 people - 2 kg - 3 kg (4.4 lbs - 6.6 lbs) - 6 - 9 people - 3kg - 4 kg (6.6 lbs - 8.8 lbs)

• 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 cook your crown in the slow cooker for: 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

• 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 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 Roast Beef Joint Recipe

Slow Cooker Turkey Crown

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.