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.
Hi Mel, I just discovered your helpful website and I am seriously considering using our old Contempra slow cooker for a Brined Split- Bone Turkey Breast which is only 2.66 lbs. It is already brined and refrigerated.
In comparison to others here on the board this sounds small, yet we are only two persons. How does the Hi and Low setting work in relation to the cooking time and when is either selected? What would you suggest here about rinsing the brine off ? I just read that it is suggested to not rinse it off because it may spread any bacteria. I’m fortunate to live in FL so I thought I could rinse it off outside with a garden hose. Hey… one must be creative here.
I need your advice however on the actual slow- cooker cooking process.
Thank you and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Hi Hans – I use the low setting on my slow cooker and that’s what I would recommend. Unfortunately I don’t know how a turkey would do in this recipe that’s already been brined. Like you suggested, maybe rinsing the brine could help? Good luck!
If i have a 5qt oval slow cooker will i be able to fit a 6-8 lbs turkey breast in it?
I think it works best with a 7-quart or larger slow cooker but it all kind of depends on the actual size/shape of the turkey breast.
I’ve used MANY of your recipes in the past, and I’ve never commented until now. Our oven just broke, and it doesn’t look like it will be fixed in time for Thanksgiving. We live far from family, and recently moved, so it’s just us and the kiddos. This is going to save Thanksgiving dinner! So for this, and all the other dinner times your recipes have graced our table, I am thankful for you!!!!!! 🙂
Love this idea, especially with few visitors on the holiday! Question before I use it this year: I use the Williams-Sonoma dry brine (didn’t want to post a link in case you thought it was spam) every year and it makes for amazing flavor. Will it oversalt this recipe though?
Hey Catherine, I’m not familiar with that brine and how salty it is and the other flavors. But you could try it and just cut the salt down significantly in the recipe (and add more to taste at the end). Good luck if you try it.
Did it today and it worked beautifully! I used the unsalted broth and didn’t have to season the turkey at all after rinsing off the dry brine. The gravy was some of the most flavorful I’ve ever had! This recipe is definitely a small-Thanksgiving keeper.
I’m very excited to try your recipe for Thanksgiving this year! Most of the other recipes I’ve seen say to cook it breast side up, but you prefer down?
Placing it breast side down helps the juices all congregate there making for a super juicy turkey.
Great, thank you! Can’t wait to try it!
I am having family over for Thanksgiving this year and I am thinking about trying this, but my sister-in-law is gluten free. Can I sub cornstarch for the flour?
You’d have to experiment, Sarah, but I think it has a really good chance of working out.
Thanks for the clarification about wrapping the crockpot in foil (ie, it is not part of the standard recipe). This was delicious! I did modify the ingredients just a little: using 3 large carrots and three celery stalks (instead of 1 each in the original recipe) and then adding several red potatoes cut into large chunks and placed around the turkey breast for the last 3.5 hours of cooking. Turned out great. Served with steamed broccoli for a colourful and delicious meal. Thank you for a good recipe!
This is cooking right now and I am looking forward to eating it tonight 🙂 but I am confused by all the questions about wrapping the crockpot/slow cooker in foil– I’ve read the recipe a couple of times and all I see is information about “tenting” the cooked breast meat to keep it warm while heating the gravy. Am I missing something? Or has the recipe been changed? Thank you.
I think someone early on asked me about what to do if the turkey breast sticks out above the top of the slow cooker just a bit (and the lid won’t fit) and I suggested covering the slow cooker in foil over the turkey breast instead of using the lid.
Mel, I would love to use this method to cook to make hot turkey sandwiches, does this make enough gravy to do that with?
Julie – I’ve never made hot turkey sandwiches so I don’t know exactly how much gravy you are after but it definitely makes enough gravy for mashed potatoes and for over the turkey so my guess is that yes, it would be fine for the sandwiches. Good luck!
Hi Mel! I have a 5lb breast should I adjust anything?
Happy Holidays to you and your family!!!
Lori – probably not – I would just follow the recipe as is. Good luck!
I used your recipe and the turkey and gravy were amazing! Thank you for helping me to make my day a little easier with delicious results!
The absolute best! I made this for the family this Thanksgiving and I just got a text from my sister asking me for the recipe. She said “Do you think you can send us the turkey slow cooker recipe? We are still craving Thanksgiving leftovers. I think we’ll make it this weekend.” It was simple to make, so tender and delicious to eat and easy to clean up. I think I’ve just started a new family tradition.
We had an oven roasted turkey but also made this. FABULOUS! Not only was it remarkably simple, the gravy was delicious [much better than I usually make]. Even as left-overs last night (Sunday) the turkey was moist and the gravy still mighty tasty. Thanks – big thanks.
Thanks for this! We went to my inlays for Thanksgiving, and I wanted to roast a breast for us to have leftovers at home. This was perfect!
Mel,
I made this slow cooker turkey for my family’s small Thanksgiving get-together yesterday and it was a big hit! Everyone commented on how tender and flavorful the turkey was, and using the crock pot made getting dinner together so easy because I could use the oven for green beans and desserts. The bone in turkey breast was a perfect 160 degrees and a great color after 5 hours on low in my 2009 model Crock Pot. The aluminum foil kept the steam and heat in. Thanks so much for the recipe!
I don’t think I have ever cooked a turkey breast that big. Here are two things to consider: 1) If you have a newer crock pot, they do run a little hotter than the older ones and 2) I always start mine out on high heat for the first hour or so & then turn it down to low. With poultry I worry about the meat sitting too long at a low temperature and causing food poisoning. Mine always turn out wonderful, juicy and not dry. If your turkey ends up dry it is overcooked. Good luck & enjoy!
I’m totally planning on doing this tomorrow! I just want to double check, that a bone-in 7 lb turkey breast can cook on LOW in 5-7hrs? That seems a little fast for a piece of meat that size. Just want to be sure. Thanks in advance!
Mary – sorry for my late response. If you are worried about the temperature/cooking time, make sure to use a cooking thermometer to get the turkey to the appropriate temperature but when I made this, 5-7 hours was perfect for that size of turkey breast.
I am excited to try this out this year since it will just be my small family eating. I’m a little nervous about covering the crockpot with foil! Is there really any wrong way of doing it? If the crockpot isn’t covered properly is it going to let moisture out and make my meat not turn out as good? Do you just wrap the foil around from front to back a few times and maybe side to side and do a few layers? I just want to make sure it turns out good so my husband will give this new method a thumbs up so we can do turkeys like this from now on! Thanks for the great recipes!
Erin, I lay out two sheets of overlapping foil the long direction and then two more the short direction and crimp all four sheets under the edge of the crockpot so it is well sealed. It works great!
I cook my turkey breasts this way but without the veggies and gravy. I usually cook one every couple of months to have leftovers for sandwiches and diced for other recipes. My favorite grocery store usually charges $1.99 Lb. for the boneless breast. Quite a bargain when you compare it to ground beef these days. And needless to say, a whole lot more healthy as it is low fat.
I’ve made this. It’s crazy delicious. I’m making it again for Thanksgiving. 🙂
Sounds great. However, I tried something similar to this following a recipe about 4 years ago and it was a disaster. Why, do people post recipes w/o noting the crock pot/slow cooker size? Thank you for listing your 7 qt. size. Mine was 4 and again…a total disaster. Love your recipes!
Um, tears almost came to my eyes when I saw this recipe. Bless you!!! I did the big turkey, aromatics brine and all last year and it turned out great. But 4 months pregnant has got me super excited to try this simple version this year. Thanks!!
Maybe silly to ask, but will this work with a boneless turkey breast?
Monica – not silly at all! I haven’t tried it with a boneless turkey breast but I do believe that a bone-in turkey breast will provide much juicier meat.
I tried it with a boneless breast and it turned out GREAT! Just keep an eye on it as it doesn’t take quite as long to cook. In fact, my daughter now wants me to use this recipe from now on instead of my traditional turkey. Wow! What a time saver and the turkey turns out so tender and flavorful. I can’t thank you enough for this recipe.
Mel, you’ve saved the day! I was wondering what to do for Thanksgiving with just a few of us – don’t want to roast a whole turkey. I love the idea of using the slow cooker (I love mine too!)
By the way, you are a household name in our home. Whenever I’m trying out a new recipe my daughter says “is it from Mel?”….and then she tells me I’m the best cooker ever 🙂
Hi Mel – Thanks for the quick response re: which slow cooker you use. Do you think a 6 quart slow cooker would be large enough to hold the 6 pound bone-in turkey breast I already have? I was hoping to go no larger than a 6 quart size. TIA
Kathy – it’s really hard to know! Sorry I can’t give you a definitive answer. As long as the width of the turkey fits in, you can cover it with tin foil if it sticks up above the top of the slow cooker.
I just did this. I will NEVER cook a whole bird again. Fabulous.
Mel – This method to cook bone-in turkey breast was so timely! My DD had asked me if a slow cooker could be used to prepare turkey breast. The next day I received your email with this recipe. Thank you! We have always oven-roasted our bone-in turkey breasts but would love to try your slow-cooker method. Question – Which size/brand of oval slow cooker do you use for this recipe? I need to buy an oval slow cooker as I don’t have one yet. TIA
Hi Kathy – I have the crockpot brand and I believe my oval slow cooker is 7 quart. Have fun shopping!
After seeing these photos I can’t wait for Thanksgiving. Looks simple and delicious!
This sounds fantastic and I love my slow cooker. However, sadly, Turkey is pretty much non existent here in the Middle East and certainly have never seen a bone in Turkey breast. Do you think this would work with a chicken (the chicken’s here are pretty tiny and would easily fit in my large slow cooker). Thanks
Tracey – yes, I think this could work with a chicken but if it is a lot smaller than most bone-in turkey breasts, you might keep an eye on cooking time (contrary to popular belief, chicken can dry out in the slow cooker).
OH this is great. I am all about the presentation as well….but lets be honest. My 3 little girls don’t care what it looks like, and my hubby only cares about the taste. This will be perfect, I’d rather spend a little more energy on the sides anyways…thank you!
Thanks so much for posting this recipe!! I was trying to figure out how to get everything prepared with only one oven, and I think you’ve solved my problem! One question, my husband loves dark meat. Do you think this recipe would still work if I found an entire turkey small enough to fit in my crockpot?
Hi Jill – should have included you on my response just now, but yes, it should probably work with a whole turkey (but I haven’t tried it) as long as you can get one small enough to fit in a slow cooker!
Will this recipe work to cook a whole turkey in the crock pot or only the breast?
Jen – I’ve only made it with the turkey breast. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a whole turkey that can fit in a slow cooker but if you can get a small whole bird, it would probably work (just keep an eye on the cooking time).
This sounds amazing! I cannot wait to make it for my husband and I! Thanks!
This looks SO delicious! Seriously, your pictures make me want to eat my iPad sometimes! I adore turkey as well, but the task of cooking an entire turkey for just our small family seems a bit daunting sometimes. This will be perfect. Thanks Mel! 😀
Thank-you so much Mel! Everyone in my house likes breast meat only so instead of a whole turkey I figured this was the way to go. Now I know how I’m going to cook it also, freeing up the oven for the other goodies! You are my lifesaver. Also making the blueberry angel food cake for dessert!
o.k.
so we have decided at our house that a turkey breast is the way to go. we don’t like the dark meat…well, it isn’t my first choice and so i don’t cook with it after the fact. but if we just buy the turkey breast, it’s perfect!
thanks for the new way to cook it!
I think this is a great idea. I rarely cook a whole turkey anymore and this recipe fits the bill. I’m anxious to try it.
Hi Mel! You completely thaw the turkey breast first, right?
Thanks for all of your cooking and kitchen help! Your recipes always win at my house!
Lindsay – the cooking times are based on a completely thawed turkey breast so yes, I’d say to completely thaw first (you could try a slightly frozen one but I have no idea how long you’d need to cook it and I don’t want you stuck with raw turkey!).
Mel- I have said this before (and I will say it again)…you are my culinary hero! Why haven’t I thought to slow cook turkey? Genius!
Thanks for the tin foil tip! I tried this a few months ago, but since my lid wouldn’t shut I ended up taking it out and cooking it in the oven. I don’t care about the perfect turkey-I just want it juicy and easy. Thanks!
Thanks for posting. I was just searching the web last night for crockpot turkey breast receipes. I will definitely be using yours and your ham receipe. Hope you have a great holiday.
I like slow cooking, it’s just not that stressful sometimes
You’re my hero, too! We used to always have the big Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners with the good china, crystal, and silver. We all got dressed up and the 5 of us feasted on our beautiful whole turkey and all the trimmings! It was a picture perfect meal! Now we are in our 70s, retired in Florida, and that’s for our grown sons to do. We’re alone for dinner on Thanksgiving, but we still want some of our favorites in our traditional holiday meal. You’ve given me a gift that I’ll be thankful for all year ’round. I’m fairly new to slow cookery, but I love it. I’ll have stuffing, too, but baked in single portions in a muffin tin so leftovers are easy to freeze for later. The rest is easy, and we will feast, but your turkey breast method will be the star on our table this year! Thanks, and hugs!
I have never cooked turkey in the crockpot, but duh! I think this would be perfect for our family over Christmas. A full turkey is always too much, but we love the turkey leftovers for sandwiches.
I am so doing this. We only have 3 adults eating turkey this year and possibly a kid tasting it. I’ve actually made a turkey breast like this before and it does turn out perfectly. Thank you for the reminder. There is no point in making a giant turkey that will go to waste. This will give us plenty of leftovers.
Mel, I first found you when you posted The Best Refried Beans Ever. Immediately I joined your email group and am always delighted to see your recipes and hints. No matter where we go for Thanksgiving or if we just stay at home, hubby and I always enjoy the bone-in turkey breast. You’re so right about the gravy there in the pot too. Thanks!
Gorgeous photos of this! I’ve been cooking a turkey breast in the slow cooker for the last few Thanksgivings just to get extra meat for sandwiches!
Oh Mel, you are my hero! I bought a bone-in turkey breast this morning for Thanksgiving and I had no idea what to do with it. I usually buy a couple boneless breasts but they were a little expensive this year. I get home with my turkey breast, and check my email, an lo and behold, you have solved my problem. Since it is your recipe I trust it without doing a trial run and this frees up my oven for all the other delicious goodies. Plus, I LOVE my slow cooker(s). Thanks for bailing me out! By the way, you are a household name as in “my best friend Mel, whom I’ve never met!” Have a great Thanksgiving!
My kids refer to her as their best friend too. “We love Mel” happens on a a regular basis at our table.
Thank you for this brillant wisdom . . . .:)
We aren’t having guests this year until the day after Thanksgiving so I am seriously thinking about just doing a turkey breast this year. I would love to have the turkey in the crockpot – especially if it makes its own gravy basically!