Are you looking to simplify your Thanksgiving meal this year? Ditch the hassle of roasting a whole turkey and opt for the unbeatable ease and juiciness of a Butterball turkey breast cooked to perfection in your crockpot. Requiring minimal prep and freeing up your oven, this slow cooker method is a game-changer for a stress-free holiday feast.
The Beauty of a Butterball Turkey Breast
We all love the convenience of a pre-brined, oven-ready Butterball turkey for Thanksgiving. But why stop there? Their boneless turkey breast roasts make crockpot cooking a breeze. These succulently seasoned breasts come bundled in a hassle-free, oven-safe netting you can cook right in.
And the best part? Since Butterballs are pre-brined, you get incredibly moist, flavorful meat without any extra effort. No dry turkey nightmares this year!
Why Choose the Slow Cooker?
While many people feel daunted at the prospect of roasting a gigantic whole turkey, the idea of “slow cooking” a simple turkey breast seems far more manageable. And it absolutely is! Using your crockpot offers several advantages:
- Hands-Off Cooking: Once you get it prepped, just set it and (practically) forget it! No basting or fussing required.
- Frees Up Oven Space: Your oven is a hot commodity on Thanksgiving. Move the turkey to the crockpot to free it up for all those delicious sides.
- Juiciness Locked In: The moist heat of the crockpot seals in every drop of moisture for superbly juicy results.
- Crispy Skin Option: A quick trip under the broiler at the end crisps up the skin for that traditional roasted texture.
How to Cook a Butterball Turkey Breast in the Crockpot
Now that you’re convinced this is the way to go, let’s dive into the simple steps. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is!
What You’ll Need
- Butterball Boneless or Bone-In Turkey Breast (thawed if frozen)
- Butter or Olive Oil
- Seasonings like salt, pepper, dried herbs (or use a poultry seasoning blend)
- Aluminum foil (optional, for tenting)
Directions
1. Remove Packaging and Pat Dry
Take the Butterball turkey breast out of its packaging, leaving the netting intact if present. Use paper towels to pat the breast completely dry.
2. Season Simply
Rub the turkey all over with softened butter or olive oil. Then sprinkle on your desired seasonings like salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary or a premixed poultry blend. No need for anything fancy!
3. Add Liquid (If Desired)
While not mandatory, you can add up to 1/2 cup of liquid like broth, wine or water to the bottom of your crockpot. This creates some flavorful juices for gravy.
4. Slow Cook Until Done
Place the seasoned turkey breast into your crockpot and cook on LOW heat. Refer to this guideline for total cooking times:
- 3 lb Boneless: 4-5 hours
- 6-7 lb Bone-In: 6-7 hours
The turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part when fully cooked.
5. Optional Broiling for Crispy Skin
If you want that classic crispy skin, remove the turkey from the crockpot once done and place it skin-side up on a baking sheet. Broil for 5-10 minutes until the skin is browned and crisp.
6. Rest, Slice and Enjoy!
Let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing into it. This allows the juices to redistribute so every bite is nice and moist.
Pro Tips for Crockpot Success
To get stellar results every time, keep these tips in mind:
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Use a Meat Thermometer: Don’t just guess when the turkey is cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to get an accurate internal temp reading.
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Brown it First (Optional): For deeper flavor, briefly brown the turkey breast in a skillet before slow cooking.
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Cook on a Trivet: Elevating the turkey on a trivet or aluminum foil ring prevents it from sitting in the juices and getting soggy on the bottom.
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Make a Quick Gravy: Those juices in the bottom of your crockpot are liquid gold! Thicken them up with a roux for an effortless, tasty gravy.
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Cook on Warm after Done: Once the turkey hits 165°F, your crockpot can be switched to the WARM setting to keep it from overcooking while you prep the sides.
The Crockpot Butterball Advantage
Using a Butterball turkey breast in your crockpot combines two powerhouses of convenience. You get all the benefits of pre-brining and careful seasoning from Butterball, plus the tender, uniform cooking of the slow cooker method.
It’s an unbeatable combo for stress-free, consistently juicy and delicious turkey every time. No more dried out, unevenly cooked birds allowed!
Serving Suggestions
Since your crockpot turkey is freeing up oven space, go ahead and round out your feast with all the classic Thanksgiving favorites:
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Green Bean Casserole
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel
- Stuffing or Dressing
- Cranberry Sauce
- Fluffy Dinner Rolls
And of course, don’t forget a slice of pie for dessert!
Streamlined for Smaller Gatherings
In addition to being effortless, cooking just a turkey breast is perfect for smaller Thanksgiving dinners. If you’re celebrating with 4 people or less, you can ditch the whole bird in favor of this easy, scaled-back option.
A 3 lb boneless or 6-7 lb bone-in Butterball turkey breast feeds about 6-8 people. So it’s right-sized for more intimate Friendsgivings or if you simply don’t want a mountain of leftovers this year.
Make-Ahead, Storage and Reheating Tips
To get ahead, you can fully prepare and season the turkey breast the day before. Just store it in the fridge until you’re ready to slow cook.
Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days or can be frozen for longer storage. Simply slice or pull the meat from the bone.
To reheat, place portions in a baking dish with a little broth or gravy and cover tightly with foil. Warm at 325°F for 15-25 minutes until heated through.
The Foolproof Turkey of Your Dreams
- Maximum juiciness and flavor from the pre-brining
- Extremely simple, hands-off cooking
- Tender, evenly cooked meat every time
- Easy to scale for different group sizes
- Frees up oven space for side dishes
- Option for crisped skin gives best of both worlds
- Minimal prep or cleanup required
So why spend Thanksgiving stressing over an enormous whole turkey? Ditch the hassle and let your crockpot deliver a showstopping, juicy and delicious Butterball turkey breast with ease. Your happier holiday awaits!