Slow-Cooker Moroccan Turkey and Lentils is a delicious way to put an exotic twist on turkey! Perfect for the holidays or an easy dinner any night of the week and any time of year!
I LOVE a traditional Thanksgiving. However, I’ve also stressed and practically made myself crazy over getting everything done on time.
If you’re not much into the big traditional Thanksgiving with the big old bird, this super-easy recipe for Slow Cooker Moroccan Turkey and Lentils is one you can get marinating the day before, then simply pop it into a slow-cooker, go watch some football and ENJOY your day off.
What is chermoula?
Slow-Cooker Moroccan Turkey and Lentils start with a chermoula marinade. Chermoula (sometimes spelled charmoula) is a traditional Moroccan sauce. It’s pronounced “SHARE-moo-lah.”
You’ll see two different types: A green herb-based sauce and another spice-based (heavy on the paprika) such as the one I used.
Cooks in North Africa use this herbaceous sauce to marinate fish and to dress cooked vegetables. The ingredients vary by the cook and by the region, but it typically contains cilantro, flat-leafed parsley, lemon, garlic, cumin, paprika and either fresh or dried chiles.
How to make Slow-Cooker Moroccan Turkey and Lentils:
- Mix up the marinade, add the turkey and refrigerate for 24 hours. Afterward, drain off some of the olive oil so your dish doesn’t end up too oily.
- When working with lentils, be sure to look them over carefully for any sticks, stones or odd-looking dried-up misfit-looking lentils. Not good and not good for your teeth!
- There are many different types of lentils. I used green lentils here. They take longer to cook than regular brown lentils but they’re perfect for a slow-cooker. If using brown, you may end up with a brownish “sauce” instead of a lentil dish.
- Add the tomatoes near the end of the cooking process. Dried legumes such as lentils or beans do not like salt and acid. (Tomatoes are acidic.) While there is a little bit of salt and acid in the marinade, it’s not very much and much will drain out when you drain out the oil.
- Allow the turkey breast to rest a little before slicing. Add some cilantro springs and some fresh lemon slices and WHOA!
Delicious! Easy! Slow-Cooker Moroccan Turkey and Lentils. AND…. you’re able to watch football all day!
For more easy turkey recipes perfect for a small-scale Thanksgiving, be sure to check out:
- Spinach and Ricotta-Stuffed Turkey Breast with Garlic – Herb Sauce
- Turkey Scallopine in Sherry Cream Sauce with Wild Mushrooms and Artichoke Hearts
- Pecan-Crusted Turkey Cutlets with Red Onion Marmalade
- Roast Turkey Breast with Traditional Stuffing
Slow-Cooker Moroccan Turkey and Lentils
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1 large onion - finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt - plus more as needed
- ½ teaspoon saffron threads
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 large lemon - juiced
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Turkey and Lentils
- 1 (2-pound) boneless skinless turkey breast half
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 cup green lentils
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15-ounce) diced tomatoes - undrained
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro - plus more for garnish
- Freshly ground black pepper - to taste
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
Marinade
- Combine marinade ingredients in a 1-gallon zipper-top bag. Add the turkey breast half and massage the bag to distribute the marinade evenly over the turkey breast. Refrigerate overnight.
Turkey and Lentils
- Spray the insert of the slow-cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Remove the turkey breast from the marinade and place it in the slow-cooker.
- Drain the excess oil from the marinade through a sieve and discard. Place remaining marinade ingredients in the slow-cooker around the turkey breast.
- Add the lentils and chicken broth. Cover and cook for 4 hours on HIGH or 8 hours on LOW.
- When the turkey and lentils have about a half-hour to go when cooking on HIGH or an hour to go on LOW, stir in the tomatoes.
- When finished, remove the turkey breast and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Remove bay leaves. Add cilantro to the lentils and season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- Serve turkey sliced on a platter over the lentils, garnished with cilantro sprigs and lemon wedges.
Notes
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Anonymous says
Stine Mari says
I hope everything turns out well, and that he feels better soon! Have a happy Thanksgiving. This recipe looks yummy, love Moroccan flavors.
Carol says
Thanks, Stine! He is recovering physically, but the accident has taken it’s toll on this spirits. He’s such an active guy that it’s tough being housebound for him. Thank you again!
Sues says
Oh wow, definitely a lot to be thankful for this year- so glad to hear your family is recovering! I’m all about a traditional Thanksgiving, but also LOVE the idea of dishes like this one!!
Carol says
Thank you! Yes, we will be counting our blessings for sure!
Julia says
I hope your father gets better soon and goes home! Lots of health to him and to your family. The recipe looks delicious!
Carol says
Thank you, Julia!!! It’s been rough. Tough to see someone so wonderful that you love so much in so much pain.