How to Cook a Turkey in a Crock Pot for a Perfectly Moist and Tender Bird

Cooking a whole turkey in a crock pot may seem unusual, but it’s actually a great way to get a super juicy and flavorful bird without having to watch the oven all day. The slow moist heat of the crock pot gently cooks the turkey keeping it incredibly tender and stopping it from drying out.

I’ve been cooking Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys in my crock pot for years now and they always turn out perfectly moist and delicious. The prep work is so minimal compared to roasting a turkey, and it frees up your oven for all the side dishes.

Here are some of the biggest benefits of crock pot turkey:

• It keeps the turkey incredibly moist and tender with much less risk of drying out compared to oven roasting.

• The prep work is simple – just rub it with herbs and aromatics, pop it in the crock pot, and let it cook away

• It frees up your oven for all the sides, pies and other dishes you need the oven space for.

• There’s minimal basting or checking required, unlike hovering over a turkey in the oven.

• It’s nearly impossible to overcook and dry out the turkey thanks to the gentle crock pot heat.

• The flavor is amazing thanks to cooking in its own juices all day long.

While you can cook a whole turkey in a large crock pot, I find it’s much easier to use just a turkey breast. Turkey breasts come in smaller sizes that fit better in most crock pots. A boneless turkey breast works great, but bone-in will give you more flavorful meat.

Tips for Crock Pot Turkey Success

Follow these tips when cooking turkey in a slow cooker for the best, juiciest results:

• Choose the right size crock pot – Make sure your crock pot is large enough to fit the turkey breast, but not so large that it swims around loosely inside. You want a snug fit.

• Use a rack – Place chopped onions, carrots and celery in the bottom to lift up the turkey breast so it doesn’t sit and cook in the juices.

• Brown the skin – For crispy skin, quickly broil or grill the cooked turkey at the end to brown it. Watch closely to avoid burning.

• Use a meat thermometer – Cook until it reaches 165°F for food safety. Track the temp with a probe thermometer for best results.

• Let it rest – As with oven roasted turkey, let the breast rest 15 minutes before slicing into it for the juiciest meat.

• Season under the skin – Slide herb butter or olive oil under the skin to keep the meat incredibly moist and flavorful.

• Season the skin – Coat the skin in oil and seasonings like garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper before cooking.

How Long to Cook a Turkey Breast in a Crock Pot

Cooking time can vary a bit depending on the size of your turkey breast, but here are general guidelines:

• Boneless turkey breast: Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.

• Bone-in turkey breast: Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.

For food safety, you need to cook the turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to monitor it and prevent overcooking.

If your turkey breast is still partially frozen, you’ll need to add 1-2 hours to the cook time. Always thaw in the fridge first for best results.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for juicy crock pot turkey success:

1. Prepare the crock pot. Grease the crock pot and add chopped onions, carrots and celery to the bottom to lift up the turkey breast. Pour in 1/2 cup of chicken broth.

2. Pat the turkey dry. Remove the turkey breast from packaging and pat it very dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick better.

3. Rub with herb butter. Slide your fingers under the skin to loosen it, then rub herb butter or olive oil under the skin. Spread butter over the skin as well, then season with garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper.

4. Add to the crock pot. Place the seasoned turkey breast on top of the vegetables in the crock. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.

5. Brown the skin. Once cooked through, transfer to a baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes until the skin is crispy and browned.

6. Let rest before slicing. Allow the turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing into it for the juiciest meat.

7. Make gravy from the juices. Spoon out the vegetables and reserve the turkey juices in the crock to make a delicious gravy.

Serving and Storing Leftover Crock Pot Turkey

Crock pot turkey breast is extremely versatile. Here are some serving ideas:

• Slice and serve like a roast turkey with traditional side dishes.

• Dice or shred for sandwiches, wraps, pitas and salads.

• Add shredded turkey to soups, stews, chili, casseroles and pasta dishes.

• Pair with your favorite fall and winter sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted veggies and cranberry sauce.

Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave with a splash of broth to prevent drying out. You can also freeze cooked turkey for 2-3 months.

Common Crock Pot Turkey Questions

Is it safe to cook turkey in a crock pot?

Yes, it’s perfectly safe as long as the temperature reaches 165°F. Occasionally check that it’s cooking above 140°F.

Does turkey cook faster on high or low?

Low and slow is best for the most tender, juicy meat. High can speed it up but may dry it out quicker.

Can you stuff a crock pot turkey breast?

You can certainly try! Cook stuffing on the side to be safe. Add it to the cavity just for the last 1-2 hours if you’d like the flavor.

What liquid should you use in the crock pot?

Chicken or turkey broth works well. You can also use apple juice, wine or water. Keep it 1/2 cup or less to prevent too much moisture.

Cooking whole turkey in a crock pot results in an incredibly moist, tender and flavorful bird with very little effort. The slow cooker does all the work for you! Follow the tips here for success.