My family declares this the best turkey they’ve ever had. Only 4 ingredients and your slow cooker for the most juicy delicious turkey of your life! Serve this up for Thanksgiving or any family dinner and never stress over turkey again.
Whether you are feeding a smaller crowd, don’t have an oven, or just want a simpler recipe for turkey, this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is for you! It might sound crazy and you may think there’s no way you can have a flavorful delicious turkey with just four ingredients and your slow cooker, but I’m here to prove that you totally can!
You can cook this on high for about 3-4 hours or on low for about 6-8 hours, whichever fits your schedule best.
It’s perfect for serving up for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, Christmas or any just any family dinner where you want some delicious turkey.
Bonus, I’ll even share with you how to make the homemade gravy (only one additional ingredient required).
What kind of turkey can I make in the slow cooker?
While a whole turkey won’t likely fit in your slow cooker, a turkey breast will. Use the boneless turkey breast that you find in the freezer section at the grocery store. I’m able to find it at both Aldi and Walmart so I think it’s pretty readily available.
You’ll want it around 3-4 pounds and it will serve 8-12 people.
It sometimes comes with a gravy packet that you can use but I’ll show you how to make your own as well.
You will need to be sure to thaw your turkey before slow cooking it. Plan for a day or two in the fridge to thaw.
Cooking tips for making this turkey breast:
- Use a 5 quart or larger slow cooker
- If you can’t find turkey stock, feel free to sub chicken stock or broth instead
- Slice your onions and lay over the top, the flavor will seep down into the turkey along with the garlic
- You can slice the turkey or break it into chunks
- Turkey is cooked when the breast meat reaches an internal temp of 165 degrees F.
How to make gravy for turkey?
- You’ll need to carefully strain the broth
- Add the strained broth to a pan on the stove
- Whisk cornstarch with water until smooth
- Whisk into broth and keep whisking over a medium heat until it simmers and thickens
I first had this turkey a few years back when my friend invited us to her house for a Friendsgiving dinner (Amanda are you reading this? This is a tradition we need to reinstate ASAP!). This was way before I had my blog but was still obsessed with cooking, recipes, etc. I’m pretty sure my big contribution that year was brussels sprouts, but she made the turkey and it was the star of the show. She graciously gave me permission to share her “secret” recipe will all of you so make sure you leave a comment below to thank her!
If you are looking for a side dish for Thanksgiving here are a few of my favorites!
- Slow Cooker Fresh Green Bean Casserole
- Slow Cooker Cheesy Corn Casserole
- Pressure Cooker Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Also, make sure you check out my full write up on hosting a slow cooker Thanksgiving!
Four reasons to make your turkey in the slow cooker:
- No roasting pans or dirtying up a bunch of dishes
- 4 simple and healthy ingredients
- No thawing out a turkey for days
- Simple, Quick and so EASY!
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pound boneless turkey breast (previously frozen, thawed)
- 2 cups turkey broth (sub chicken broth if you can't find turkey)
- 1 sweet onion
- 1 tablespoon jarred minced garlic
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Instructions
- Fully thaw turkey according to package directions
- Remove package and netting and lay flat in bottom of slow cooker
- Add turkey broth
- Cut onion into rings and layer over top
- Add minced garlic
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours and don't open the lid!
- Carefully remove fully cooked turkey to platter and let rest while making gravy
- Strain all liquid from slow cooker into a saucepan
- Whisk together 1/4 cup of cornstarch with 1/4 cup water until smooth and then whisk into pan drippings
- Bring to a simmer while whisking for about 5 minutes or until thickened
- Slice turkey and serve with gravy
Notes
- To give turkey a crispy skin finish, line broiler pan with foil and place turkey on it skin side up. Broil in oven for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Watch it closely so it doesn't burn.
- Slice your onions and lay over the top, the flavor will seep down into the turkey along with the garlic
- You can slice the turkey or break it into chunks
- Turkey is cooked when the breast meat reaches an internal temp of 165 degrees F.
Nutrition
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Love this recipe! It’s very simple, and if you use a crock pot bag, the cleanup is minimal. I’m cooking my seventh turkey breast as I write. It has been perfect every time, and my husband loves it, too!
We followed the recipe exactly. The turkey meat was very tough, not unpleasant, but tough. It is always possible that the turkey breast we bought was from an old hen. The gravy was fine.
I’m so sorry to hear that, I’m sure that felt frustrating on Thanksgiving day. I’ll hope you’ll try again and consider revising your low rating on the recipe. I’d suspect it was most likely the turkey rather than the recipe as I’ve tested this recipe 6 times in the last 2 weeks and it turned out perfectly each time.