Slow-Cooker Turkey Thighs with Herb Gravy

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Those who love tender, moist, dark meat will love these slow-cooker turkey thighs. If turkey thighs aren't available, ask your butcher to cut up a whole turkey and give you the bone-in thighs. Feel free to substitute an equal weight of chicken thighs for the turkey thighs, if desired. This pairs well with a simple side of steamed green beans.

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Prep Time:
15 mins
Additional Time:
4 hrs 30 mins
Total Time:
4 hrs 45 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings
Nutrition Profile:

Nutrition Notes

Is Turkey Good for You?

Turkey is comparable to chicken, with a few differences. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 3 ounces of skinless dark turkey meat is lower in calories (147 calories) and fat (5 total grams) than chicken thigh meat, which has 164 calories and 9 total g of fat. Turkey breast and chicken breast are a little closer in their numbers, with 3 ounces of turkey breast coming in a little leaner than chicken breast (1.77 g of fat vs. 3 g, respectively). Like chicken, turkey is a great source of lean protein and provides several vitamins and minerals.

Is This Recipe Gluten-Free?

As is, this recipe is not gluten-free due to the all-purpose flour. However, you can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free all-purpose flour when you make the gravy.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

Can I Use Dried Thyme Instead of Fresh?

Yes, if you don't have fresh thyme on hand, you can use 2 teaspoons of dried thyme instead.

How Do I Thicken the Gravy?

To thicken the gravy, we use a paste made with flour and softened butter. This paste is whisked into the cooking liquid in a saucepan. When the mixture is brought to a boil, the butter melts and then the flour is evenly dispersed into the hot liquid, thickening it. Be sure to whisk the gravy well to prevent lumps.

What Can I Serve with Slow-Cooker Turkey Thighs with Herb Gravy?

Serve this comforting main dish over the holidays or any day of the week with side dishes like Au Gratin Potatoes, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, Kale-Butternut Squash Gratin, Broccoli Casserole or Garlic-Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and steamed green beans for a dinner that everyone will love.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can I Make With Leftover Turkey?

If you have any leftover turkey, shred the meat and make Leftover Turkey Stew, Leftover Turkey Hand Pies, Cream of Turkey & Wild Rice Soup, Chipotle Turkey Tostadas or Baked Sweet Potatoes with Cranberries & Turkey for delicious meals throughout the week.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Jan Valdez

 

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 4 bone-in, skinless turkey thighs (about 3 pounds)

  • ¾ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • ¼ cup finely chopped shallots (from 1 large shallot)

  • 2 tablespoons sliced garlic (from 6 cloves)

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme

  • 1 ½ cups unsalted chicken stock

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

  1. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Sprinkle the turkey with the pepper and 3/4 teaspoon of the salt. Cook the turkey in the skillet in batches, turning once, until well browned, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the turkey to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. (Do not wipe the skillet clean.)

  2. Add the shallots, garlic, and 1 tablespoon of the thyme to the skillet; cook over medium-high, stirring constantly, 30 seconds. Add the stock to the skillet; bring to a boil, stirring and scraping to loosen the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Transfer the stock mixture to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW until the turkey is very tender and falling off the bones, about 4 hours and 30 minutes. Transfer the turkey from the slow cooker to a cutting board, and remove the meat from the bones, discarding the bones. Place the turkey on a serving platter and cover it with aluminum foil to keep it warm.

  3. Pour the cooking liquid from the slow cooker through a wire-mesh strainer into a 2-quart saucepan, discarding the solids. Stir together the flour and butter in a small bowl to form a smooth paste; gradually whisk the flour mixture into the cooking liquid in the saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high, whisking constantly; boil, whisking occasionally, until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the parsley and remaining 1 tablespoon thyme and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve the turkey with the gravy.

Originally appeared: Everyday Slow Cooker

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

325 Calories
13g Fat
5g Carbs
48g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 3 ounces turkey, 1/3 cup gravy
Calories 325
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 48g 96%
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Sodium 525mg 23%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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