How to Slow Cook Ground Turkey

Ground turkey is a healthy alternative to ground beef that is usually lower in fat and calories, but supplies just as much protein. Often ground turkey is browned in a skillet before adding to recipes or formed into patties to make a turkey burger. But your slow cooker can create a tender and juicy pot of ground turkey that can be added to any number of recipes. A few seasonings and several hours of cooking are all it takes to successfully prepare ground turkey in your slow cooker.

Tips and Warnings

• Make a ground turkey meatloaf in your slow cooker. Combine the turkey with diced onion, minced garlic, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Place it in the slow cooker and form it into a meatloaf shape. Bake for six to seven hours, and serve with potatoes and vegetables. The same method can be used to make slow cooker turkey burgers. Instead of forming into a meatloaf shape, form into several patty shapes. Season your ground turkey with other spices, if you desire. Basil, dill, ground mustard or paprika all create flavorful ground turkey. Add slow-cooked ground turkey instead of ground beef to your favorite recipes, such as stuffed bell peppers, pasta sauces, soup, stew or chili. Combine ground turkey with barbecue sauce to make a barbecued meat sandwich.
• The cooking juices can get very hot, so be careful not to splash them on you when taking the turkey out of the slow cooker.

Things You'll Need

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 lbs. ground turkey
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tsp. dried parsley
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. dried oregano
• Slotted spoon

References

• "The Everything Slow Cooker Cookbook"; Pamela Rice Hahn; 2009
• "Slow Cookers For Dummies"; Tom Lacalamita and Glenna Vance; 2011