Slow Cooker Turkey

If you’re hosting an intimate Thanksgiving or have a small family, like us, you may not need a whole turkey but still want to celebrate. This Slow Cooker Turkey is a quick and easy recipe for a small gathering.

If you’re looking for more Thanksgiving recipes, be sure to check out some of my other favorites like Brown Butter Apple Pie Without Eggs, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake, Cinnamon Sweet Potato Bread Without Eggs, Maple Spice Cake With Brown Sugar Frosting, or Sourdough Crescent Rolls.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

• Recipe Name: Slow Cooker Turkey
• Ready In: 6 hours 15 minutes
• Makes: 8 servings
• Main Ingredients: turkey breast, butter, garlic
• Flavor Profile: butter, herbs, and garlic
• Dietary Info: eggless, no seed oils, gluten free
• Difficulty: Easy!
• Why You’ll Love It: butter herb small batch turkey recipe for Thanksgiving

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Smaller Thanksgiving: If you’re planning a smaller Thanksgiving, then using a bone in turkey breast is a great option! This still gives you a flavorful and nostalgic dinner with less effort and less time.
• More Flavorful: If you’re a fan of white meat, then doing a bone in turkey breast is a great idea as it’s all white meat. The bone in breast will stay more moist and have more flavor than a boneless breast because the the bones retain heat while cooking and helps the meat retain more moisture.
• Easy AF: This is a set it and forget it recipe, which makes it so easy! It takes less than 15 minutes to prep, then just set the slow cooker.
• Simple: This garlic butter turkey is a simple recipe that will really let the turkey shine. It goes so well with all your favorite side dishes.

Ingredients

• Turkey: I use an organic bone in turkey breast that is 5 pounds.
• Garlic: I use organic minced garlic for ease, but you can also use fresh garlic.
• Poultry Seasoning: I use organic poultry seasoning for a simple one ingredient spice that adds just the right amount of flavor.
• Chicken Broth: I use Kettle and Fire Organic Chicken Broth. You could also use vegetable broth if you want.

*For a full list of ingredients and measurements, visit the recipe card below.

Tips for Slow Cooker Turkey

• Dry the turkey well: Pat the turkey breast thoroughly with paper towels before applying butter and seasoning. Removing excess moisture will the rub stick and improves browning.
• Go easy with the broth placement: Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker around the turkey (not over the top) so you don’t wash off the butter + seasoning rub.
• Cook on low (not high): Use the low setting on your slow cooker. Cooking too fast can dry out white meat.
• Check temperature (not just time): The turkey is done when it reaches 165°F internal temperature at its thickest point. Use an instant-read thermometer for accuracy and use the time as an estimate.
• Let it rest before slicing: Resting helps the juices redistribute and prevents excessive juice loss when carving. Even with a slow cooker, a 10–15 minute resting period (you can tent loosely with foil) is beneficial.

How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey

1. In a small dish, mix together the salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the butter and garlic.

3. Pat dry the turkey breast with paper towels and add to the slow cooker.

4. Rub the garlic butter over the turkey.

5. Sprinkle it with the seasoning mixture. Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker, careful not to get it on the turkey and wash off the butter rub. Put on low and cook for 4 to 6 hours or until the internal temperature is 165°F.

6. To make the gravy: Add the butter to a small saucepan and put over low/medium heat and melt the butter. Whisk in the cornstarch until it is completely combined and you have a paste. Slowly add in the chicken broth and whisk to combine completely.

How to Serve

I like to serve this on a platter garnished with apples, pomegranate seeds, fresh rosemary, and thyme for a simple and beautiful centerpiece. You can serve this garlic butter turkey with all your favorite side dishes! Try my Easy Stuffing Recipe, Roasted Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes With Pecans, Bone Broth Mashed Potatoes, Simple Cranberry Kale Salad with Homemade Dressing, or Brown Sugar Honey Apple Pie!

You can also cook this for an easy weeknight dinner, it doesn't have to be just for Thanksgiving! Try it with Lemon Rosemary Sourdough Bread, Simple Green Salad with Homemade Dressing, Kale Apple Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing, or Easy Bone Broth Rice as delicious sides.

Slow Cooker Turkey FAQ’s

More Organic Thanksgiving Recipes

Bone Broth Mashed Potatoes

Vanilla Bean Apple Pie

Pumpkin Pie Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting

Cranberry Mocktail With Coconut Water