Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey with Gravy

Sharing is caring!

If you’re looking for an easy way to serve a tender, juicy turkey dinner without the stress of roasting a whole bird, this Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey with Gravy is the answer! Perfect for small holiday gatherings, Sunday dinners, or anytime you’re craving a turkey dinner.

Contains affiliate links

Thanksgiving can be any day of the year with this easy turkey recipe. The best part? The slow cooker does the work, and you get a rich, flavorful gravy to drizzle over every slice.

This herbed butter turkey with gravy recipe is perfect for a small holiday dinner. I’ve made this countless holidays when just my husband and I were eating and anytime I’m craving a cozy Thanksgiving meal without the stress and hassle.

✅Easy, quick prep, basically no work and stress-free? That’s a recipe for me!

Looking for another delicious crock pot turkey dinner? You’ve got to try my uber popular Crock Pot Cranberry and Orange Turkey recipe that broke my Instagram last year when I posted it!

What You’ll Need

Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!

On the recipe card below, click “print recipe” and from there you can print out the page or screenshot it to save to your phone’s photo album.

Pin this recipe to save to Pinterest so you can make it later! You can Pin It from the recipe card below. Just click the “Pin Recipe” button. If you’d like to follow me on Pinterest , my page is Steph Gigliotti.

• Crock Pot-5 quart size or larger

For the turkey:

• 3–4 lb boneless turkey breast roast (fresh or thawed, if frozen)
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 lemon, quartered
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground sage

For the gravy:

• Reserved gravy packet (from turkey package)
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken, turkey, or vegetable broth
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp ground sage
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (to thicken)

Note: The lemon in the pan drippings adds a subtle brightness to the gravy that enhances the herbs without overpowering them. It’s a delicate, delicious background flavor. That said, citrus can sometimes trigger heartburn, and nobody wants that at a holiday dinner! If you’re sensitive to citrus, feel free to skip the lemon—the turkey and gravy will still be full of flavor. (I learned this the hard way with my husband!)

How To Make It

Prep the Turkey

• Remove the turkey from packaging, but leave the netting intact so it holds together while cooking.
• Pat it dry with paper towels and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Reserve the gravy packet for later.

Build Flavor in the Crock Pot

• Place the onion and lemon quarters in the bottom of your slow cooker.
• In a small bowl, mix softened butter with garlic, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper, and sage.

• Rub the herbed butter mixture all over the turkey breast.
• Place the turkey on top of the onions and lemons.

Slow Cook to Perfection

• Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours, until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Transfer the turkey to a platter and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
• Carefully cut off the netting and slice into even portions.

Make the Gravy

• Strain the juices from the crock pot into a saucepan. Add the reserved gravy packet.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the broth and cornstarch, then stir into the saucepan.
• Add pepper, onion powder, sage, parsley, and Dijon mustard.
• Cook over medium-high heat, whisking until the gravy thickens.

Serve and Enjoy

• Pour the gravy generously over the sliced turkey.
• For serving later, return the sliced turkey to the crock pot with the gravy and cover to keep warm.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Take a picture and tag me @StephGigliotti on social media and #StephRealLife. I would absolutely love to see your finished dish!

⭐ Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section.📌Save this recipe to make later and share with a friend!

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Turkey

• Don’t skip the butter rub: This is what keeps the turkey moist and flavorful while it slow cooks.
• Check early: Slow cookers vary, so check your turkey at the 4 ½ hour mark to avoid overcooking.
• Use fresh herbs if you can: They give the dish a brighter flavor, but dried herbs work beautifully too.
• Let it rest: Resting the turkey before slicing helps lock in the juices.
• Keep warm for serving: If you’re making this for a holiday dinner, you can slice the turkey, pour over the gravy, and keep it warm in the crock pot until mealtime.

Have leftover turkey? Make this creamy Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini.

FAQ’s

Can I use a bone-in turkey breast instead of boneless?
Yes! A bone-in turkey breast works just as well. Cooking time may increase slightly, so use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F.

Do I have to use the gravy packet?
Not at all. The packet adds extra flavor, but if you prefer, just use the slow cooker drippings, broth, and seasonings for a completely homemade gravy.

Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes! You can rub the turkey with the butter and herbs the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Just let it come to room temperature before placing it in the slow cooker.

What should I serve with slow cooker turkey?
This recipe pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted veggies, or a simple side salad. It’s also fantastic for sandwiches with leftover turkey.

Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely. Slice the turkey, place in freezer bags or containers with a little gravy, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave.

Thanksgiving Sides

• Creamy Mac and Cheese
• Homemade Green Bean Casserole
• Bacon and Brussels Au Gratin
• Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
• Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
• Roasted Parmesan Asparagus

Summary

This Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey with Gravy is proof you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy a flavorful, juicy turkey dinner. Whether you’re cooking for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy family meal, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

Sign up for our newsletter to get new recipes sent right to your inbox! Follow along with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube , Pinterest, and TikTok.