Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Crown

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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 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. I'm going to try it this year so will report back!

How To Cook A Turkey Crown In The Slow Cooker

 Ingredients

2kg/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

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

Bay Leaf - gives a great savoury flavour

Seasoning - salt and black pepper

Gravy

Cornflour and water - to thicken the gravy

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.

• 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 cooking liquid left in the slow cooker pot and discard.
• Pour the liquid into a medium sized saucepan along with 500 mls of chicken stock.

• 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

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.

 

I have linked this recipe with #CookBlogShare