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If you’re looking for an easy way to make turkey without taking up your entire oven, this Crock Pot Turkey Breast is the answer! A simple seasoned butter rub keeps the turkey flavorful and juicy, while the slow cooker does all the work.

And don’t toss those juices when the turkey is done! They make the most delicious homemade turkey gravy with just a few extra ingredients.

It’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sunday dinner, or anytime you want turkey without cooking a whole bird. Because turkey shouldn’t be reserved for one day a year! If it’s easy, you can enjoy a turkey dinner year round!

We also love this Herbed Turkey Roast in the crock pot and my viral Cranberry Orange Crock Pot Turkey Breast. (15,000 shares and hundreds of 5 star reviews!)

If you have leftover turkey, try this delicious Leftover Turkey Tetrazinni.

Why You’ll Love Crock Pot Turkey Breast

• Easy: The crock pot does almost all the work.
• Juicy and flavorful: A seasoned butter rub goes under and over the skin.
• Frees up your oven: Especially helpful on Thanksgiving!
• Makes delicious gravy: The turkey juices become the base for homemade gravy.
• Great for a smaller crowd: No need to cook an entire turkey.
• Perfect for leftovers: Use leftover turkey for sandwiches, soups, casseroles, and more.

I served this juicy turkey alongside Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole, rolls, Fluffy Mashed Potatoes, Bacon Corn Casserole, Stuffing, and Roasted Acorn Squash. The perfect Thanksgiving Day spread.

Ingredients

For the Turkey

• 1 (4–6 pound) bone-in or boneless turkey breast
• 4 tablespoons softened butter
• 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
• 2 large onions, halved

For the Turkey Gravy

• 2 cups turkey juices from the crock pot, strained
• 4 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning

Equipment

• Crock Pot– Use a 5 quart or larger crock pot. The one I’m using is this 7 quart programmable crock pot
• Saucepan– to make the gravy

How to Make Crock Pot Turkey Breast

1. Prepare the turkey

Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Carefully loosen the skin from the meat, being careful not to tear it.

2. Make the seasoned butter

In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dried sage, salt, and pepper.

Rub the seasoned butter generously underneath the turkey skin, spreading it directly over the meat. Rub any remaining butter over the outside of the turkey breast.

Tip: Getting the butter underneath the skin helps season the turkey meat while it cooks and adds lots of flavor.

3. Add the onions to the crock pot

Place the halved onions in the bottom of the crock pot.

The onions act as a simple “rack” to lift the turkey breast slightly off the bottom of the slow cooker. They also add flavor to the cooking juices.

Place the turkey breast on top of the onions.

Pour the chicken or turkey broth around the turkey, being careful not to pour it directly over the seasoned skin.

4. Cook

Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours, or until the thickest part of the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Cooking time can vary depending on the size and shape of your turkey breast, so use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness.

5. Crisp the skin (optional)

If you want crispy, golden-brown skin, carefully transfer the cooked turkey breast to a baking sheet.

Place it under the broiler for 3–5 minutes, watching it closely so it doesn’t burn.

6. Rest and slice

Let the turkey rest for about 10–15 minutes before slicing.

This gives the juices time to redistribute and makes the turkey easier to slice.

Serve with the crock pot juices or homemade turkey gravy.

How to Make Gravy from Crock Pot Turkey Juices

Don’t throw away those flavorful juices!

The broth, turkey drippings, seasonings, and onion flavor left in the crock pot make an excellent base for homemade gravy.

1. Strain the juices

Once you remove the turkey, carefully pour the liquid from the crock pot through a fine-mesh strainer into a measuring cup or bowl.

Discard the cooked onions and any solids.

You should have about 2 cups of flavorful turkey broth and juices. If you don’t have quite enough, add additional chicken or turkey broth.

2. Make the roux

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1–2 minutes, whisking constantly. This creates the roux that will thicken your gravy.

3. Add the turkey juices

Slowly whisk the strained turkey juices into the flour and butter mixture.

Keep whisking as you add the liquid to prevent lumps.

Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–5 minutes, or until thickened.

4. Season

Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.

You can also add a little extra poultry seasoning if you’d like more Thanksgiving-style flavor.

Tip: If the gravy gets too thick, whisk in a little additional broth. If it’s too thin, let it simmer for a few extra minutes.

Recipe FAQs

Do I need to add water to the crock pot?

No. This recipe uses 1 cup of chicken or turkey broth. The turkey will also release additional juices as it cooks.

Can I use boneless turkey breast?

Yes. Both bone-in and boneless turkey breast work in this recipe. Cooking time may vary, so use the internal temperature as your guide.

How do I get crispy turkey skin in the crock pot?

The crock pot won’t crisp the skin. For crispy skin, transfer the cooked turkey to a baking sheet and broil for about 3–5 minutes, watching carefully.

Can I make the gravy ahead of time?

Yes. You can make the gravy ahead and gently reheat it on the stovetop. Add a splash of broth if it becomes too thick.

Why should I put onions under the turkey?

The onions lift the turkey slightly off the bottom of the crock pot and add wonderful flavor to the cooking juices, which makes them perfect for gravy.

More Crock Pot Thanksgiving Recipes

• Green Bean Casserole
• Sweet Creamed Corn
• Thanksgiving Turkey Meatloaf with Cranberry Glaze
• Funeral Potatoes
• Stuffing
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes

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