I used to think that February was the winter month of bitter cold, living here in Maryland, but this winter has proven that January can be just as cold. For the last 10 days or so we've had temperatures in the single digits but then it decided to warm up for this week.
I don't know about you, but when I think of winter, I think of comfort foods. Hot, hearty foods that not only fill you up but warm you up as winter is doing her worst. I'm joining up with the other bloggers of #FestiveFoodies today and sharing a comfort food recipe with you.
Until this past Thanksgiving, I had never thought to make a turkey breast in the crock pot. We don't eat a lot of turkey (unless its ground, or Thanksgiving) so I guess that's why it never occurred to me. But now that I've done it twice, I can tell you, I'm hooked. It's so much easier than cooking it in the oven and your house smells absolutely amazing while it's cooking in the crock pot.
Crock Pot Turkey Breast and Gravy
Ingredients
For the Turkey:
- 2-3 lb turkey breast
- 1 onion quartered
- 2 large carrots roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks roughly chopped
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoon butter cut into cubes
For the Dry Rub:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground sage
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
For the Gravy:
- 2 cups cooking liquid
- 4 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Place the onion, carrots and celery in the bottom of a 6 quart crock pot. Pour the chicken broth on top.
- In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the dry rub.
- Remove the skin from the turkey breast as it will not get crispy in the crock pot.
- Rub the dry rub mixture all over the turkey breast and place breast side down in the crock pot, making sure that it sits up on the vegetables. Add the cubes of butter on top of the turkey breast.
- Cook on high for 1 hour then turn to low and cook 4-5 hours more or until a thermometer inserted in the center of the breast reaches a temperature of 165 degrees.
- Remove the turkey breast from the oven and allow to rest on a cutting board for a few minutes.
- Strain 2 cups of the cooking liquid from the crock pot and discard any solids.
- Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and then slowly stream in the cooking liquid, whisking constantly, until a gravy of your desired consistency is reached. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Cut the turkey breast into slices, plate and drizzle the gravy on top.
Recipes on Cookaholic Wife are for information purposes only. Nutritional Data provided has not been evaluated by a nutritionist.
The turkey turned out perfectly! It was juicy and flavorful and with mashed potatoes it made the perfect comfort food on a cold day.
Enjoy these great #ComfortFood ideas from #FestiveFoodies!
- Cheesesteak Pizza from Cindy's Recipes and Writings.
- Chicken Alfredo Lasagna from A Day in the LIfe on the Farm
- Chicken Cordon Bleu from Family Around the Table.
- Chicken Zoodle Soup from Everyday Eileen.
- Creole Jambalaya from Caroline's Cooking.
- Crock Pot Turkey Breast and Gravy from Cookaholic Wife.
- Dill Weed Deviled Eggs from Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice.
- General Tso's Chicken from Palatable Pastime.
- Homemade "Hot Pocket" Sandwiches from Frugal Pantry.
- Italian Sausage Minestrone from Jolene's Recipe Journal.
- Lighter Chicken Pot Pie from Kate's Recipe Box.
- Turkey Sausage & Penne Skillet from Amy's Cooking Adventures.
Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
Mmmmmmm...this could easily be one my favorite comfort foods! Turkey can make any day feel like a holiday!
Cindy Kerschner
I'm up for turkey anytime. I love that you used a crockpot!
Wendy Klik
Nichole, this is a wonderful idea and perfect when making turkey for just a few people instead of a crowd.
Eileen Kelly
I just love that the turkey is made in the crockpot! This is an awesome recipe!
Jolene Martinelli
I really need to make better use of my crockpot, this looks amazing!
Amy CookingAdventures
Oh my goodness - this looks amazing!
Sue Lau
Turkey isn't just for November and makes a great comforting supper. Love that you posted this!
Caroline Williams
Slow cooked meals seem to do well at creating tasty comfort food. Sounds good.