Slow-Cooker BBQ-Rubbed Turkey Breast

10/13/13

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by American Family Insurance. All opinions are my own.

This week is the second in a series of events that has Sunday Supper joining up with American Family Insurance to gather around the #FamilyDinnerTable.  Today  we are bringing you BIG Sunday Supper meals that provide plenty of leftovers to reinvent for an easy Weekday Supper.  And let me tell you, this ridiculously easy and flavorful Slow-Cooker BBQ-Rubbed Turkey Breast that I made in my crockpot has provided SIX dinners for my immediate and/or extended family.

I’ve made no secret about the fact that I am the queen of “repurposing” leftovers to make salads or sautés or hodge podges.  Usually I am just tossing together various odds and ends, but sometimes I make a meal with the intention of having leftovers to use during the week, especially on busy nights.

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One thing I like to do is to buy a chicken or turkey breast that is larger than I actually need, or buy two, since, whether roasting, smoking, rotisserie-ing or slow-cooking, once you are cooking one, it is only a teensy bit more work to cook a second one at the same time.  Or if your grocery store gives you a free bird around one of the major holidays for spending a certain amount, don’t pass by that offer, even if you aren’t hosting the holiday meal.  I ALWAYS get the free turkey breast, especially since the free whole turkeys or hams they usually offer are too small for the big holiday family dinner anyway.

My second tip, especially if you have a family that claims to hate leftovers, is to turn them into something completely different.  Sure, reliving Thanksgiving dinner a few times over the holiday weekend is fun, but on a regular basis, do you really want to have the same meal on Tuesday that you had on Sunday?  No!  So switch it up – put the meat in a soup or pasta sauce, make some paninis or fancy pants grilled cheese, top a salad, or toss it into a frittatta.

Finally, if you are making a bird in the crockpot, toss all those bones back in there, add some carrots and onions and herbs – whatever you have lying around – pour some water in, set it on low, and the next morning your whole house will have the aroma of the most incredible stock that you can then freeze in 1 cup portions for use in other recipes.

This Slow-Cooker BBQ-Rubbed Turkey Breast seriously could not be any easier.  Literally, you need a turkey breast, your favorite barbecue rub (store-bought, homemade, whatever – I’ll give you the recipe I used), and an onion.  And your crockpot.  The flavor of the rub just infuses through the meat, and it creates all of its own moisture.  You don’t get the crispy skin, so if that’s your thing, then you’ll need to roast it.  But if you are like me and toss the skin out regardless, this is totally the way to go.

We ate this turkey breast with baked sweet potatoes and broccoli, and drizzled on some Creamy Maple Dijon Dressing, which you’ll see pop up again on Tuesday when I show you one of the things I made with the leftovers.  But you can also make your favorite gravy or slather it with some barbecue sauce.  Or, really, just eat it plain.  It really does have plenty of flavor and moisture from the seasonings and slow cooking.

American Family Insurance has started the #FamilyDinnerTable campaign to share their the belief that the next generation of dreamers starts at the family dinner table.  American Family is creating an e-cookbook to inspire families to come back to the table, and we need your help!  Share your recipes for your chance to be featured in the cookbook by submitting a family favorite recipe here.  You will be entered to win one of six $100 Williams-Sonoma gift cards. One lucky entry will win one valued at $500! When the e-cookbook comes out later this fall, you’ll be among the first to receive a copy.

Then follow along as we join with American Family Insurance to share family recipes and stories through Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST, and this week we are sharing big Sunday Suppers that make lots of leftover for your Weeknight Suppers, as well as tips to encourage families to rediscover the power of family meals.  Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

In addition join Isabel, the Family Foodie and creator of #SundaySupper today, Sunday, October 13th at 2pm EST as she invites your family back to the table with delectable inspiration at DreamBank during a live event on Google+!  From savvy tips for stocking your pantry to time-saving techniques and recipes, Isabel’s live demonstration will help you rediscover the pleasures of eating together with the ones you love.

And check out all of the other #SundaySupper recipes at the bottom of this post.

What is your favorite big meal that always leaves you plenty of leftovers?

Print Recipe

Slow-Cooker BBQ-Rubbed Turkey Breast for #SundaySupper around the #FamilyDinnerTable

You just need a turkey breast, onion, your favorite rub and a crockpot for the easiest and most flavorful meat ever.

Course: Dinner, Slow Cooker

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips, with All-Purpose Red Rub from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Ingredients

For the turkey breast:

• One 4 to 7 lb turkey breast thawed and giblets (if any) and excess fat removed
• About 1/2 c of your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue rub recipe I used is below
• One large onion cut into chunks
• Gravy Creamy Maple Dijon Dressing, or Barbecue Sauce for serving

For the All-Purpose Red Rub:

• 1/2 c paprika
• 1/2 c kosher salt
• 1/2 c light brown sugar
• 1/2 c granulated garlic
• 6 T granulated onion
• 1/4 c chili powder
• 1 T ground cumin
• 1/2 t cayenne pepper

Instructions

For the turkey breast:

• Coat the turkey breast thoroughly with the barbecue rub, inside and out, pressing it to stick it to the meat and pushing some under the skin.
• Place the onion chunks inside the cavity and place the turkey skin side up in your slow cooker.
• Cook on Low for 5-7 hours, or until it reaches 165°F internal temperature.
• Serve with gravy, Creamy Maple Dijon Dressing, or barbecue sauce.

For the All-Purpose Red Rub:

• Combine all of the ingredients and mix thoroughly in a large bowl, plasting storage bag, or storage container.
• Can be stored in a cool, dark place for months.

Enjoy!

Here are some things you can make with leftover turkey or chicken:

• Cranberry BBQ Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
• Waldorf-ish Chicken Salad
• Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese

And here are some amazing Sunday Suppers with built-in leftovers:

• Apple Cider Braised Pork Roast by Magnolia Days
• Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf by girlichef
• Baked Barbecue Chicken by Alida’s Kitchen
• Brined and Roasted Turkey by Growin Up Gabel
• Chicken Cacciatore by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Cider Braised Pork Belly by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs with Homemade Tomato Sauce by Neighborfood
• Coffee Rubbed Ham by Curious Cuisiniere
• Glazed Ham with Bonus Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes & Ham by The Foodie Army Wife
• Herb Crusted Roast Beef by Crazy Foodie Stunts
• Herbed Pork Loin on Spaetzle by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Picadillo-Stuffed Chiles Rellenos by Foxes Love Lemons
• Pork Tinga by Juanita’s Cocina
• Roast Psycho Chicken by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Vegetables by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Shrimp Scampi & Sushi by NinjaBaking.com
• Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken by In The Kitchen With KP
• Slow-Cooker BBQ-Rubbed Turkey Breast by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Spicy Turkey Meatloaf by Runner’s Tales
• Sunday Supper Spicy Portuguese Pulled Pork by Family Foodie