If you're like us, and have a small family, making a ginormous turkey might not be up your alley for
Thanksgiving. Don't fret, I have an answer for you! You can get a wonderfully moist, tender turkey for your dinner if you have one thing - a slow cooker. And you can always make this for times other than Thanksgiving. I love making this for Sunday dinner (and leftovers the next day for sandwiches!).
First of all, turkey breasts are typically 4-6 pounds. If you go by the rule of thumb for turkey weight, this is perfect for a family of 4-6. When you cook a turkey breast in the oven, you have to be careful on the timing - just a little too long and it will dry out, a little too soon and it will be undercooked. So using a slow cooker allows you to set it for a few hours and have a moist bird when you are done. But MAKE SURE you add some type of liquid to keep it a moist heat - I choose chicken broth because it'll help with adding a little more flavor. And one more tip - use a meat thermometer if you have one, the one that comes with the turkey may not pop out!
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Ingredients:
4-6 pound turkey breast
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. thyme
2 Tbs. olive oil
4 cups chicken broth
Directions:
1. Remove turkey from wrappings, remove any giblets and gravy packet. Rinse and pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Lay turkey out on cutting board, breast side up. Rub turkey with olive oil. Combine all spices in a small bowl. Rub spices all over turkey and in cavity.
3. Place turkey in slow cooker, breast side up. Insert meat thermometer into breast (thickest part of the bird) or make sure timer that came with the turkey is visible. Pour chicken broth into slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour. Reduce heat to LOW and cook for 5 hours or until internal temperature of turkey reaches 165 degrees or timer pops out.
4. Turn slow cooker OFF and leave lid on for 20 minutes. Remove turkey from slow cooker and cut meat off to serve.
**To make gravy**
1. Using a turkey baster, remove 2 cups of liquid from bottom of slow cooker. Add to a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer.
2. Combine 3 Tbs. flour with 2 cups cold water in a shaker. Slowly pour into simmering broth and whisk constantly until gravy thickens. Remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste.
Serves 4-6