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Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast with Gravy

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 31, 2011

Time

5 to 6 hours on low

Yield

Serves 8 to 10

Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast with Gravy

Ingredients

1 (6- to 7-pound) bone-in turkey breast, trimmed1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 onion, chopped coarse1 carrot, peeled and chopped coarse1 celery rib, chopped coarse6 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed7 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth ½ cup dry white wine 2 sprigs fresh thyme plus 1 teaspoon minced2 bay leaves Salt and pepper

Before You Begin

If you don’t have quite 3 tablespoons of drippings after browning the turkey skin in step 1, supplement with additional butter.

Instructions

  1. Pat turkey dry with paper towels. Remove skin from breast and cut into 4 equal pieces. Cook turkey skin in 12-inch skillet over medium heat until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer skin to slow cooker. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons fat from skillet. Add butter, onion, carrot, celery, and garlic and cook until vegetables are browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until golden, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in broth and wine and bring to boil. Transfer gravy, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves to slow cooker.
  2. Season turkey with salt and pepper and place meat side up in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low until breast registers 160 degrees, 5 to 6 hours.
  3. Transfer turkey to carving board, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Pour gravy through fine-mesh strainer into serving bowl; discard solids. Stir minced thyme into gravy and season with salt and pepper to taste. Carve turkey and serve with gravy.
Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast with Gravy

Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast with Gravy

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

5 to 6 hours on low

Yield

Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients

1 (6- to 7-pound) bone-in turkey breast, trimmed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped coarse
1 carrot, peeled and chopped coarse
1 celery rib, chopped coarse
6 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
7 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup dry white wine
2 sprigs fresh thyme plus 1 teaspoon minced
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

1 (6- to 7-pound) bone-in turkey breast, trimmed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped coarse
1 carrot, peeled and chopped coarse
1 celery rib, chopped coarse
6 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
7 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup dry white wine
2 sprigs fresh thyme plus 1 teaspoon minced
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

1 (6- to 7-pound) bone-in turkey breast, trimmed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped coarse
1 carrot, peeled and chopped coarse
1 celery rib, chopped coarse
6 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
7 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup dry white wine
2 sprigs fresh thyme plus 1 teaspoon minced
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

With the help of the slow cooker, turkey with gravy is no longer just for the holidays. Using just the turkey breast makes this recipe weeknight friendly, and the gentle heat of the slow cooker ensures that the white meat is tender and moist—not dried out. Browning the turkey skin creates flavorful drippings for the gravy, and putting an extra-thick roux-and-broth mixture into the slow cooker at the outset means that once it combines with the turkey juices, the resulting gravy is the perfect consistency.

Before You Begin

If you don’t have quite 3 tablespoons of drippings after browning the turkey skin in step 1, supplement with additional butter.

Instructions

  1. Pat turkey dry with paper towels. Remove skin from breast and cut into 4 equal pieces. Cook turkey skin in 12-inch skillet over medium heat until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer skin to slow cooker. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons fat from skillet. Add butter, onion, carrot, celery, and garlic and cook until vegetables are browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, until golden, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in broth and wine and bring to boil. Transfer gravy, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves to slow cooker.
  2. Season turkey with salt and pepper and place meat side up in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low until breast registers 160 degrees, 5 to 6 hours.
  3. Transfer turkey to carving board, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Pour gravy through fine-mesh strainer into serving bowl; discard solids. Stir minced thyme into gravy and season with salt and pepper to taste. Carve turkey and serve with gravy.

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