Slow Cooker Turkey with No-Fuss Gravy
This slow cooker turkey breast is flavorful and moist and is a perfect easy-but-fancy dinner all year round. Bonus: the gravy makes itself!
This turkey recipe is so incredible, it will make you rethink how to make turkey for Thanksgiving (and any other dinner!).
Steps for Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
The reasons this slow cooker turkey recipe is so amazing are twofold. First: undeniably tasty turkey. Second: a gravy that basically makes itself in the slow cooker while the turkey cooks.
To prep the gravy and give it a bit of a head start:
- Sauté coarsely chopped carrots, onions and celery in butter until slightly tender.
- Stir in flour and then broth.
- Add seasonings.
- Simmer for a minute or two until slightly thickened.
- Add this mixture to the slow cooker before the turkey.
Following this method means the gravy will pretty much be ready to go at the end of cooking time AND it allows the turkey to bask in the flavors while it slow cooks.
Boneless vs Bone-In Turkey Breast
This recipe works great with bone-in or boneless turkey breast.
- If using bone-in turkey breast, place it breast-side down in the slow cooker.
- If using boneless turkey breast: keep the twine/netting on the turkey breast while it cooks. Also, depending on the size, a boneless turkey breast will likely need a bit less cooking time than a bone-in turkey breast.
In both cases (boneless or bone-in), I’ve used turkey breasts weighing less than 5 pounds. It works fine, but again, just take care not to over cook or the turkey may be dry.
The turkey needs to cook until it registers at least 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. I often cook the turkey a bit longer – upwards of 175 to 180 degrees F – and it is still tender and delicious.
Finishing the Gravy
After the turkey is done cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and tent with foil.
Strain everything left in the slow cooker through a fine mesh strainer into a saucepan. Discard the veggies and simmer the gravy in the pan for 10 to 12 minutes until slightly thickened a bit more.
The gravy may not be as thick as traditional gravy but will be silky and slightly thick.
For a thicker gravy, whisk together cornstarch and cold water (a tablespoon or so of cornstarch in a couple tablespoons of water) and stir the slurry into the gravy, simmering for 2-3 minutes.
A Versatile Dinner Recipe
While turkey is often pigeon-holed into belonging only to Thanksgiving, this slow cooker turkey breast recipe is perfect all year round. It is easy enough for a weeknight but fancy enough for a more formal weekend/Sunday dinner.
In fact, I often make this recipe simply to have turkey meat to use in recipes like this pot pie or this leftover turkey soup (that is so crazy delicious, we definitely eat it more than just the week after Thanksgiving).
Will this recipe work in the Instant Pot? Many people in the comment thread below have used the Instant Pot (slow cooker function or pressure cooker function) with good results. I’ll share this comment as a starting place if you’d like to try it!
**Instant Pot Success** I’ve been making this for a few years in my slow cooker, and I finally tried it in my IP on Sunday. I used directions from Marci’s (Tidbits–IP Guru) IP Turkey Breast recipe. I put the veggies in the bottom of the pot and the metal trivet on top and then the turkey in breast side down. I was able to seal the lid just fine. I cooked my 6 lb. turkey breast at high pressure for 30 min. (She recommends 35-40, now, but I had an old print out of her recipe and 30 min. worked fine as mine was only 6 lbs..) I let it natural release for 30 min and then put it on a platter and tented it with foil for another 30 min. We took the breast off the bone and cut with an electric knife and it was complete PERFECTION! The gravy, as always, was AMAZING! In total, my turkey was ready to eat, start to finish in about 2 hours. -Kim H
Hundreds of 5-Star Reviews
This recipe has been garnering high praise for over ten years! Here are a few of the reviews that highlight just how amazing it really is.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Loved, loved, loved this recipe! So easy to make. The turkey fell off the bone and was oh-so flavorful. I kept picking at it from the the time I took it out of the slow cooker to the time I put it away in the frig. Yum, yum, yummy! -Sofaia
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Seriously Mel, this was so fantastic. I used the boneless Butterball turkey from Costco, and it turned out so dang good. I will never make a real turkey again. I will actually make this throughout the year too! Thank you for making my thanksgiving a lot less stressful! -Bri H.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I made this today while hosting thanksgiving for lots of friends and family. It was SO easy and delicious. I doubled the recipe so that I could have a second crock pot for turkey legs (I prefer the dark meat), and it all turned out so delicious. I especially loved that it freed up the oven space for ham or other food prep. I will be repeating this recipe in the future! -Shelly
What to Serve With This
- Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes or Baked Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Steamed vegetable or this Green Bean Casserole
- Lion House Dinner Rolls or Soft Fluffy Dinner Rolls
One Year Ago: Tortellini Sausage Soup
Two Years Ago: Black Bean & Pumpkin Chili
Three Years Ago: BBQ Turkey Quesadillas
Slow Cooker Turkey with No-Fuss Gravy
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
- 1 large carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups no-salt added or low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup water
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 5 to 8 pound bone-in or boneless turkey breast (see note)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a large, nonstick skillet melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic and cook for 8-10 minutes, until the onion is translucent and the vegetables are lightly browned.
- Stir in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes until the flour coating the veggies turns golden. Whisk in 1 cup of the broth, working to smooth out any lumps as it cooks and thickens. Stir in the remaining broth and water. Add the thyme and bay leaves.
- Scrape the mixture into a 6- or 8-quart slow cooker (smaller turkey breasts will fit in a 6-quart/larger will need the space in an 8-quart slow cooker).
- Season the turkey breast on all sides lightly with salt and pepper (see note below). Place the turkey in the slow cooker (breast side down if using bone-in).
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-7 hours until the internal temperature of the turkey breast reaches at least 165 degrees.
- Carefully transfer the turkey breast to a cutting board (or 9X13-inch pan to catch any juices), tent with foil and let rest while preparing the gravy.
- Strain the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan. Discard the vegetables.
- Skim fat from the gravy, if needed. Bring the gravy to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often, until it is slightly thickened. It won't be as thick as traditional gravy but will be silky and slightly thick. For a thicker gravy, whisk together cornstarch and cold water (a tablespoon or so of cornstarch in a couple tablespoons of water) and stir the slurry into the gravy, simmering for 2-3 minutes.
- Season the gravy with additional salt and pepper, to taste, if needed.
- Slice the turkey and serve with the warm gravy.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: adapted from a recipe referred to me by a long-time reader, Rebecca L., from America’s Test Kitchen Slow Cooker Revolution (thanks, Rebecca!)
Recipe originally posted November 2013; updated November 2024 with new photos, recipe notes, etc.
I love this easy slower cooker turkey recipe with easy gravy. Delicious!
Best turkey recipe, plenty of gravy, moist and delicious. Thank you.
Can you use a frozen bone in turkey breast?
I wouldn’t recommend using a frozen turkey – it will alter the cooking time significantly.
It’s a winner! Made two of them for Thanksgiving and a 16 lb whole turkey. Fed 40 people! Gravy was so good. I did use bone broth which always makes things better. It’s the only way I will ever cook turkey!
Get ready for a Compliment blast !!! Thanksgiving was easy peezy and delicious thanks to you. From the slowcooker turkey with easy gravy, life changing instant pot mashed potatoes, the Best slow cooker stuffing, autumn pear salad with maple balsamic dressing ( where have you been my entire life). Fresh Cranberry Chutney ( I don’t like cranberry sauce but I loved this) perfect flaky pie crust and pie boot camp, Magnolia lemon pie. Our entire Thanksgiving was from Mels Kitchen cafe. And the best thing…. The recipes are so easy that I was able to watch some football while dinner was a cookin. Thanks Mel
Thank you so much, Jody!!!
This sounds amazing!! Can I put everything in the slow cooker the night before and cook the next day?
As long as it is refrigerated over night, that should work fine.
I’ve also used this recipe for years and we all love the flavor and tender turkey!
I just wanted to reply to Bri H. This recipe is “real turkey”. I am not sure what she meant by saying she used “real turkey”. Am I kidding something g here?
I love this recipe and it makes cooking turkey less intimidating!
Is it possible to add dressing to this recipe?
I haven’t tried that so I don’t have a good recommendation, sorry!
I’ve made this for Thanksgiving for the last 7 years or so. It is the best! I don’t dread cooking Turkey anymore! Thanks, Mel!!
One of my all time favorite recipes from Mel!! Foolproof and so yummy!!
Could you do turkey thighs? How long would you have to cook them?
Thanks for the best recipes!
Definitely worth a try! I think the cooking time would be about the same.
Have you ever made this with the Costco oven browned turkey breast? I’m wondering the best way to turn that into something passable for Thanksgiving 🙃
I haven’t, Maddie! Sorry!
Is a bone-less turkey breast the same think as a turkey breast roast?
Yes (just make sure it is uncooked and not precooked).
Hi Mel! I’m wanting to make this for a friend who has celiacs (needs to be gluten free). Do you think I could thicken the gravy with cornstarch to begin with? What should the consistency be when pouring it into the crockpot before cooking? Thanks for always sharing incredible recipes- I’ve been a fan for a long time!
Whoops! Missed the older comments with suggestions on how to make GF. Thanks!
Good luck, Lex! Reach out if you have other questions.
I hosted Thanksgiving for the first time this year, and even though I have roasted a whole turkey on several occasions before, I opted for this slow cooker version. It was the best turkey I’ve ever made, by far! Everyone loved how tender and juicy it was, and I loved how easy it was! Thanks, Mel!
Yay, Kelsey!
Terrific! I only had chicken bouillon, so I used 1 tsp. of that with 3 cups water in the crock pot. I used about 1 tsp. seasoning salt on the turkey. I love my turkey with rosemary, so I used that instead of thyme and bay leaves. The flavor was great. Not too salty at all. My hubby actually licked off his plate.
As a side note, I saved the carrot, garlic and onion peels and celery leaves to throw in the crock pot with the turkey bones to make broth. It smells amazing.
hello ~ hoping to make this recipe on friday (grown kids couldn’t be here in November so we’re celebrating thanksgiving when they’ll all be home for Christmas:)…can I use a frozen boneless turkey breast in the slow cooker or does it have to be defrosted first?
thank you!
Hi Shawne, it will cook much more evenly and quickly if it is thawed first. I haven’t tried it with a frozen turkey breast, but I’d recommend thawing first if you can.
This turkey was the centerpiece of our Thanksgiving and worthy of the leading role. The gravy is delicious, too, and it couldn’t be much easier!
It was a Mel’s Thanksgiving around here with your recipes center stage:
— Slow Cooker Turkey with No Fuss Gravy
— Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Parmesan Crumb (make ahead)
— Gourmet Green Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette Dressing
— Amazing Crustless Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes with fresh Whipped Cream
I also made corn to round out the meal. These recipes are all delicious! Thank you, Mel, for all the time and effort you put into your website. In this season of “thanks,” I’m grateful for you.
Thank you so much, Joan! Your comment brightened my day – I appreciate you!
Seriously Mel, this was so fantastic. I used the boneless Butterball turkey from Costco, and it turned out so dang good. I will never make a real turkey again. I will actually make this throughout the year too! Thank you for making my thanksgiving a lot less stressful!
Perfect!
Just two of us and I cooked this recipe today, the day before Thanksgiving. The breast was moist and well flavored and now the turkey is already done for tomorrow. Ours was a 6.33 lb. Breast and the only thing I would change is to cook this size for a little less time. Well worth the few minutes it takes to make the vegetable gravy as it adds a lot of flavor to both the meat and finished gravy
I was looking through your recipes the other day and was so happy to find this one! We had a frozen turkey breast that needed to be used, but who wants to roast a turkey in August? Cooking turkey in the crockpot was so easy, didn’t heat up our kitchen, and the gravy was pretty much as good as making gravy the traditional way. We added some cornstarch to thicken it a bit. Next time I will probably cook less than 7 hours.
I make this in my Instant Pot, and it is a complete one pot meal. I use the Sauté function for making the gravy, then plop the Turkey breast in. When it’s done, I make the gravy using the sauté function again and drip in a bit of cream to make the gravy silky. Using my Instant Pot simplifies it down to just one pot to clean in the end! This has been my Turkey meal staple for a couple of years now. It’s incredibly delicious! I make it all year long, not just for Thanksgiving.
I quit making a turkey years ago, I hate dealing with the carcass & it is just such a mess & more work than I want to go thru since neither my husband or I are huge turkey fans. I have used this recipe 3 times & making it again today (Easter) & we love it. Hardly any clean up as I use a liner in my slow cooker, the gravy is wonderful (hubbies favorite part of turkey dinner) & the turkey is moist & perfect. Best part of turkey dinner for me…cold turkey sandwiches & I’ll have those all week. Thanks for one of my favorite recipes!
I’ve made this quite a few times in my instant pot on the slow cooker function and it’s perfect every time.
Do you think I could prep this the night before (and put instant pot stainless insert in the fridge) and then turn on in the morning?
Yes, I think that could work pretty well!
Very moist and love the gravy. My new favorite way to make turkey.
I found this recipe 3 or 4 years ago and it has become my go-to holiday turkey! Everyone loves it. I am elderly and doing the whole oven roasted turkey and fixings has just become too much. This is simple and delicious. Thank you so much!
Would it be ok to use a boneless breast? Would I need it change anything? Thank you!
You can definitely try – bone-in will probably be a bit more tender but I think a lot of others have tried it with boneless.
I use a boneless breast and it turns out great. Super tender.
About how many with this recipe serve?
About 12-15
Mel,
Love this recipe! I’d like to incorporate stuffing. Do you think I could tuck stuffing under the breast for an hour?
JB
You could definitely try! (Haven’t tried it myself…worry that it might get a bit soggy in the slow cooker).
This is the ONLY way we cook turkey now! Love your site and every recipe we have ever tried. We make this GF by using Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 flour and dairy free by using olive oil.
I’m going to try this for a whole chicken in the slow cooker. Any recommendations for me?
That’s a great idea! Should be about the same cooking time and method for a chicken.
I couldn’t find a turkey breast at my grocery store, so I bought 4 bone-in turkey thighs. I cooked for the same amount of time listed in the recipe and it was DELICIOUS! The gravy was incredibly tasty too. Thanks, Mel! 🙂
Typically my family makes 3 turkeys a year, because we have big thanksgiving dinners. With COVID this year, or thanksgiving was cut down to like 15 people. We had a 22 pound turkey and 2 turkey breast! This was a huge hit! Nobody touched the big turkey, and the 2 breast were gone before I could even make my plate! Lol the gravy was delicious! Thanks so much!
These are terrible instructions. You have water and 2.5 cups of broth in the recipe but in the instruction you only use 1 c of broth. really not helpful
It clearly says to add the remaining broth… read next time
LOVE This recipe. So easy, so tasty, and the aromatics just make the gravy perfect.
Two questions:
Will this work with a brine?
Also, is there a way to brown it so the skin gets crispy?
This recipe doesn’t work well for browning to get a crispy skin, unfortunately. The slow cooker prevents the skin from crisping up. You could try a brine – not sure how it would affect the overall saltiness.
I have a 9.58 lb turkey breast. I am hoping to use your recipe. To big?
As long as it fits nicely in the slow cooker, it should work.
Ever tried this with a 20 lb turkey in an electric roaster?
I haven’t…sorry!
This is particularly wonderful way to cook turkey as it can be done the day before. Then the juices can be refrigerated so the fat rises and can be removed before making the gravy on the following day. I have also been known to do a breast and then a few legs to keep the dark meat folks happy too. Only wish my pot were big enough to do them at the same time. But this works well enough–and the house smells good for days!
I don’t have a slow cooker large enough to fit a 6-8 pound turkey breast. I have a 4 quart, so what size (pounds) of turkey breast would you suggest and how long would I cook it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I don’t know if turkey breasts come in smaller 3-pound sizes, but you could look for a smaller one like that. Cook time should be about the same.
I get a 3-lb breast. as we are a small group,. I just start checking it after 4 hours, but usually leave it on low for about 6 hours. I haven’t adjusted the aromatics at all and it turns out great. Also, my daughter uses the liquid as the “gravy.” Sometimes I add a few more vegetables.
This is my go to for turkey! I use it for sandwiches and salads throughout the week! So yummy and easy!
Loved, loved, loved this recipe! So easy to make. The turkey fell off the bone and was oh-so flavorful. I kept picking at it from the the time I took it out of the slow cooker to the time I put it away in the frig. Yum, yum, yummy!
Thank you, thank you for this recipe! I made it for Thanksgiving. It was the best turkey I’ve ever had and it was so easy! I used a 5.8 lb turkey breast and two turkey legs. It all barely fit in my crockpot. We are planning on a bigger group for Christmas. Do you think I could do this same method with a whole turkey in a turkey roaster? Or should I stick to the recipe and double it using two crockpots?
I don’t know about using a whole turkey but I have done a couple of turkey breasts in an electric roaster and it worked great!
I made this for Thanksgiving this year and my husband and I both agree that it’s the best turkey we’ve made over the past 4 years of cooking our own turkey. It was delicious and fell off of the bones. plus, it was much easier than making a whole turkey for our family of six, only two of which will actually eat said turkey. We’re hopeful our kids will one day like Thanksgiving food, and not just lick the butter off of their rolls. Haha.
Thanks Mel for a delicious recipe. I made this recipe with a 1.2 kg turkey breast (no skin and no bone) and it was delicious. It also made great gravy. My husband raved about the tenderness of the turkey.
We live abroad and will celebrate Thanksgiving with friends this coming weekend. However I really wanted to produce a turkey dinner for our family of four on Thanksgiving, which was a weeknight here and busy. This recipe allowed me to do that while still managing the other activities.
Thank you!
Thank you so much, Amy! Happy Thanksgiving!