Looking for a delicious and easy way to cook turkey for a smaller group? Crock Pot Mississippi Turkey Breast is the perfect solution. With minimal prep, this recipe delivers moist, tender turkey with savory, flavorful gravy made from its own juices. The best part? It’s quick to prepare, cooks low and slow, and requires very little hands-on time. Whether you’re hosting a small Thanksgiving gathering or just want a comforting meal, this Crock Pot Mississippi Turkey Breast will become a family favorite.
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The Benefits of Crock Pot Mississippi Turkey Breast
The Crock Pot Mississippi Turkey Breast offers several strengths that make it an ideal dish for busy families or small gatherings. First, it’s incredibly easy to make. Simply layer the ingredients in your slow cooker, set it, and forget it until the turkey reaches the perfect internal temperature. The recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients like turkey gravy mix, ranch seasoning, and pepperoncini peppers, all of which come together to create a mouthwatering dish.
Moreover, this recipe is versatile and forgiving, making it ideal for beginners. You can easily adjust the size of the turkey breast to suit your needs, and the slow cooking method ensures that the turkey remains tender and flavorful. Plus, the vegetables in the recipe can be used as a side dish, adding more value to your meal.
Ingredients for Crock Pot Mississippi Turkey Breast
• Carrots: Add a subtle sweetness and a vibrant color to the dish.
• Celery: Contributes a fresh, crisp flavor and texture.
• Onion: Provides a savory, aromatic base for the gravy.
• Bone-in Turkey Breast: The star of the dish, offering moist and tender meat, ideal for slow cooking.
• Turkey Gravy Mix: Helps create a rich, flavorful gravy without extra effort.
• Ranch Seasoning: Adds a creamy, zesty taste that pairs perfectly with the turkey.
• Unsalted Butter: Enhances the flavor and juiciness of the turkey.
• Pepperoncini Peppers: Imparts a tangy, slightly spicy kick that balances the richness of the turkey.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
If you’re looking to make substitutions based on dietary preferences or what you have on hand, there are several options:
- Boneless Turkey Breast: For a leaner option, consider using boneless turkey breast. It will cook slightly faster but still provide excellent flavor.
- Vegetable Broth: Instead of butter, you can use vegetable broth for a lighter, dairy-free option. This will also help retain moisture and flavor.
- Spicy Peppers: If you prefer a bit more heat, swap out the pepperoncini peppers for jalapeños or banana peppers.
- Gluten-Free Gravy Mix: Use gluten-free gravy mix if you’re catering to those with gluten sensitivities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Begin by preparing the vegetables. Peel the carrots and cut them into 1-inch chunks. Slice the celery into 1-inch pieces and chop the onion into quarters, keeping the root intact to hold the layers together.
- Place the chopped vegetables into the bottom of your 8-quart slow cooker.
- Lay the bone-in turkey breast on top of the vegetables.
- Sprinkle the turkey with the turkey gravy mix and ranch seasoning. For an even flavor distribution, sprinkle a little of the seasoning inside the cavity of the turkey.
- Dot the top of the turkey with the pats of butter. You can also place one or two inside the turkey for extra moisture.
- Arrange the pepperoncini peppers on top of the turkey. Pop one or two inside the turkey cavity for additional flavor.
- Cover and cook on high for 3–4 hours or on low for 7–8 hours, or until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part of the meat.
- Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the Crock Pot. If you’d like to brown the skin, place the turkey under the broiler in your oven for a few minutes until the skin crisps to your desired level.
- Serve the turkey with the flavorful cooking juices as your gravy.
Tips & Tricks
- Basting: Occasionally basting the turkey with its own juices can add extra moisture and flavor, but it is optional.
- Broiling: If you prefer crispy skin, broiling the turkey for a few minutes after it’s cooked in the Crock Pot gives it a beautiful golden finish. Just keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Leftovers: Leftover turkey can be sliced or shredded and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cooking juices can also be refrigerated and used as gravy.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
This Crock Pot Mississippi Turkey Breast pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Here are some great ideas:
- Mashed Potatoes: The creamy potatoes soak up the flavorful gravy perfectly.
- Green Beans: For a light and fresh side dish, sautéed green beans with garlic would complement the richness of the turkey.
- Dinner Rolls: Soft, fluffy dinner rolls are perfect for mopping up the gravy.
- Salad: A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette would add a refreshing contrast to the richness of the turkey.
For a fun variation, you can serve the turkey with a spicy twist by adding more hot peppers or using a spicier gravy mix. For a healthier take, consider serving the turkey alongside roasted vegetables instead of the buttered side options.
Seasonal and Health Considerations
Crock Pot Mississippi Turkey Breast is perfect for a holiday meal like Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or a cozy winter dinner. Since it’s cooked low and slow, it’s ideal for busy days when you want to prepare a hearty meal without constant attention. The turkey is rich in protein and, when served with vegetables, offers a balanced, nutritious meal.
For a healthier version, use less butter and consider swapping the ranch seasoning for a lighter version or using herbs like rosemary and thyme. Additionally, you can choose to skip the broiling step for a more heart-healthy option.
Enjoy your Crock Pot Mississippi Turkey Breast and let it bring comfort and flavor to your table.
Conclusion
Crock Pot Mississippi Turkey Breast is the ultimate comfort food, offering a juicy, flavorful turkey with minimal effort. Perfect for smaller gatherings or even a quick weeknight meal, this recipe combines the ease of slow cooking with the bold, zesty flavors of ranch seasoning and pepperoncini peppers. The result is a moist and tender turkey that practically falls off the bone, paired with a rich gravy that will elevate your entire meal. Whether served with mashed potatoes, green beans, or dinner rolls, this dish is sure to become a go-to recipe for many occasions.
Give this simple yet delicious Crock Pot Mississippi Turkey Breast a try, and you’ll experience the perfect combination of convenience and mouthwatering flavor. It’s guaranteed to impress your family and guests, making every bite a hit!
FAQ
1. Can I use a boneless turkey breast for this recipe?
Yes, you can use a boneless turkey breast, but keep in mind that bone-in turkey breasts tend to remain juicier when slow-cooked. Boneless turkey will cook faster and might not be as tender, but it still works well in this recipe.
2. How do I make sure the turkey breast is fully cooked?
To ensure your turkey breast is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The turkey is safe to eat once the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the breast.
3. Can I cook this turkey breast in a smaller Crock Pot?
Yes, you can cook this recipe in a smaller Crock Pot as long as the turkey breast fits. A 6-pound turkey breast typically requires an 8-quart Crock Pot, but a smaller turkey breast will work well in a smaller slow cooker.
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Crock Pot Mississippi Turkey Breast
- Total Time: 3.5-4.5 hours
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Crock Pot Mississippi Turkey Breast is a tender, flavorful turkey cooked low and slow with vegetables and seasoned perfectly with ranch and turkey gravy mix. The juicy turkey breast is served with its own flavorful gravy, making it the perfect dish for small gatherings or family meals.
Ingredients
- 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 4 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
- 6-pound bone-in turkey breast (UNSEASONED)
- 1 packet turkey gravy mix
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pats
- 6 pepperoncini peppers
Instructions
- Peel and chop the carrots, celery, and onion, placing them at the bottom of an 8-quart slow cooker.
- Place the turkey breast on top of the vegetables.
- Sprinkle the turkey with the turkey gravy mix and ranch seasoning, including a bit inside the turkey cavity.
- Dot the turkey with pats of butter and place one or two pats inside the turkey cavity.
- Top the turkey with the pepperoncini peppers, inserting one or two inside the cavity as well.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3–4 hours or on low for 7–8 hours, until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°F.
- Optional: After cooking, place the turkey under the broiler for a few minutes to brown the skin.
- Serve the turkey with the cooking juices as gravy.
Notes
- You can use a boneless turkey breast, but bone-in turkey tends to stay juicier during slow cooking.
- If you don’t have a broiler, the turkey can be served straight from the Crock Pot.
- Leftover turkey can be shredded or sliced and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- If you prefer more heat, swap the pepperoncini for spicier peppers like jalapeños.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 6 ounces of turkey)
- Calories: 748 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1228mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 91g
- Cholesterol: 129mg
