This totally reliable recipe for slow cooker turkey with stuffing cooks up a tender and juicy holiday dinner every time. The perfect easy Thanksgiving supper.
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Why you will love this recipe
Even the most experienced cooks can get rattled by cooking that Thanksgiving turkey (raises hand!), and if you fall into that camp, this Thanksgiving dinner recipe is for you!
This turkey breast recipe is designed to let you enjoy that turkey deliciousness without cooking the whole bird. I have made it time after time without one hitch, so I am here to tell you this is literally the easiest way I know to cook up turkey.
And as you probably guessed, it involves my beloved slow cooker…and a boneless whole turkey breast.
AND STUFFING.
AND GRAVY.
And since this all gets popped in the slow cooker to do its thing for 8 hours, that leaves you tons of time to make mashed potatoes, or a pie, or to take a nap. All the while knowing that your turkey (and your stuffing!) is going to come out just perfectly.
And as if that wasn’t enough, it also leaves your oven free and clear for cooking up other parts of your turkey dinner (hello, cream cheese stuffed biscuits!).
I should mention right up front that this recipe produces a fall apart-tender turkey and very soft stuffing (more on that below) which is how we like things in our house…so if you are a crispy stuffing person, you might want to use your oven for a second crispy stuffing dish as well. The more you know!
And with that, let’s talk slow cooking our turkey!
Ingredients needed for this recipe
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Turkey Breast: Yes, you can swap in a bone-in turkey breast for boneless if you want to. You need about a 6 pound bone-in breast to have the same amount of turkey, and you can usually find both versions in the poultry section of your supermarket, especially around Thanksgiving. I tend to pick up an extra to stash in my freezer for when I want turkey in, say, April!
- Stuffing: Any variety is fine. Stuffing comes in plain versions but also in various different flavors, so pick your fave! ALSO! Stuffing can come in various sizes and toastiness. If you like your stuffing to cook up on the firmer side, you can cut the amount of broth in half or by a third…or add another cup or more of the stuffing. If you like it super soft and moist, the amount of broth in the recipe should be just right.
- Gravy: We love the kind in the jar (as opposed to the packet) but either one will work.
- Poultry Seasoning: You can find this spice blend in, yep, the spice aisle of your supermarket.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.
How to make this recipe
STEP 1: Spray your trusty slow cooker with cooking spray. Put 12 ounces of your favorite dry stuffing mix along with some chopped onion and celery in the slow cooker and stir together. Pour in a couple tablespoons of melted butter, 1 cup of chicken broth and 12 ounces of gravy (yes, you can use the store-bought kind!) over the stuffing mixture and stir again.
STEP 2: Make a little well in the stuffing mixture and nestle a two pound boneless turkey breast in it.
Pour a little more chicken broth over the turkey and sprinkle with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours. I recommend a nap.
.
PRO TIP: Anything cooked in the slow cooker is going to come out super moist and tender, including this turkey and the stuffing! If you like your stuffing firmer, cut the amount of chicken broth in half. Your stuffing will still be soft but it will be on the firmer side.
STEP 3: When 8 hours are up, take out the the turkey, let it rest for about 10 minutes and then cut into slices. That’s all there is to it – you’ve made juicy, scrumptious turkey!
PRO TIP: Do not take the lid off of your slower cooker at any time during the cooking process, even though I know it is so tempting. Slow cookers cook on really low heat, and even a quick peek can let out too much of that cooking temperature.
Recipe FAQs
They are usually in the frozen meats section of your grocery store, although around Thanksgiving you can also find them near the refrigerated chicken section. I like to buy two when I find them…one for now and one to keep in the freezer for when I get a craving for turkey when it is not Thanksgiving!
Prepared gravy is usually somewhere near the condiments section or near the soups. I like the kind in the jar (as opposed to the kind in the envelope) but you be you, gravy-wise!
You can! I wouldn’t make it more than a day ahead though, and then just set your slow cooker to warm until things are nice and heated up.
Some boneless turkey breasts come encase in netting (you can see it in the ingredients picture above). This is to keep it all nicely together, and you should leave the netting on while the turkey is cooking…but do remember to take it off before you slice it up!
You can, as long as your slow cooker is big enough…you will probably need a bird that is on the small side. Check it after 8 hours – the internal temperature should read 165 degrees.
Pop your question in the comments section below and I will answer pronto!
Want to round out your meal?
Oh, and on the off chance that you have any turkey and side dish leftovers, give this Thanksgiving Leftovers Soup a whirl!
Other turkey recipes we love
We want to hear what you think!
If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section.
Slow Cooker Turkey With Stuffing
This fix and forget it recipe for slow cooker turkey with stuffing cooks up a holiday dinner low and slow. The perfect minimalist Thanksgiving supper.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dry stuffing
- 1 sweet onion, peeled and chopped
- 2 cups sliced celery
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth (if you like your stuffing firmer, cut this amount in half)
- 12 ounces turkey or chicken gravy (yes, you can use the kind in the jar!) plus extra for serving
- 1 two pound boneless turkey breast, thawed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
Instructions
- Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray. Put the stuffing, onion and celery in the slow cooker and stir together. Pour butter, 1 cup chicken broth and the gravy over the stuffing mixture and stir again.
- Make a little well in the stuffing mixture and nestle the turkey breast in it. Pour the rest of the chicken broth over the turkey and sprinkle with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Remove the turkey, let it rest for about 10 minutes and then cut into slices. Serve with stuffing on the side and warmed gravy drizzled on top.
Notes
-
- Turkey Breast: Yes, you can swap in a bone-in turkey breast for boneless if you want to. You need about a 6 pound bone-in breast to have the same amount of turkey, and you can usually find both versions in the poultry section of your supermarket, especially around Thanksgiving. I tend to pick up an extra to stash in my freezer for when I want turkey in, say, April!
-
- Stuffing: Any variety is fine. Stuffing comes in plain versions but also in various different flavors, so pick your fave! ALSO! Stuffing can come in various sizes and toastiness. If you like your stuffing to cook up on the firmer side, you can cut the amount of broth in half or by a third…or add another cup or more of the stuffing. If you like it super soft and moist, the amount of broth in the recipe should be just right.
-
- Gravy: We love the kind in the jar (as opposed to the packet) but either one will work.
-
- Poultry Seasoning: You can find this spice blend in, yep, the spice aisle of your supermarket.
Beth says
Can this recipe be made without the butter and gravy , I prefer turkey broth or just water with lots of poultry seasoning
Hi Beth and yes! You can leave out the butter, and I would recommend 2 cups of the broth so the stuffing isn’t too loose. The overall result will be lighter/less rich than the original recipe, but I’m guessing that is what you are looking for. Hope this helps! :)
Hretchen says
I had high hopes for this recipe last year I made a full turkey with homemade gravy and it was a lot of work. I said this year I’ll do a slow cooker, but my turkey and stuffing turned into a soup. The turkey broke off and mix with the stuffing I took the stuffing out and put it in The oven to try to dry it out and it was mixed with pieces of turkey, because the turkey was falling apart pretty much looks like a different dish. This is not at all what I was expecting. Fortunately, I have two extra turkey breasts, which I’m gonna put in the oven and time for guests to arrive. It was a failure I feel very overwhelmed. I don’t think any amount of doing less liquid would’ve helped because I followed the directions and my slow cooker condensates a lot so there is a ton of liquid just dripping into the dish for hours. I think in order to do the stuff incorrectly you’ve gotta do it outside of the slow cooker.
Hi Gretchen! This recipe definitely produces a soft stuffing and a very tender turkey – but I understand that you wanted a firmer consistency for both and I’m sorry that was frustrating. I appreciate that you took the time to tell me what happened, and I am going to add a note to the recipe giving an alternative amount of liquid. Slow cooker recipes are always going to be softer than the oven, and I should and will mention that clearly. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and that your oven roasted turkey came out the way you hoped it would, and again – I really do appreciate the feedback!
Rachel says
All of this came out perfectly! I made it for our small Thanksgiving and everything was delicious! Everything cooking together made it so easy and the stuffing was particularly tasty.
Thanks Rachel! I’m so glad this made your Thanksgiving delicious! :)
Terri says
I could only find a 3 lb turkey breast. How much longer do I cook it and will it ruin the stuffing?
Hi Terri! I would give it an extra hour (you can check for done-ness with a meat thermometer if you have one, it should read 165. And the stuffing should be just fine! :) Happy Thanksgiving!
Angie Whiles says
I made this and the turkey was delicious .. but the dressing over cooked and was mushy with no consistency . What did I do wrong ? We loved the taste and I want to fix again on Thanksgiving . Thanks in advance
Hi Angie and you did nothing wrong! Stuffing can be finicky. Next time I would cut down the chicken broth down to one cup and that should do the trick. Happy Thanksgiving!
Cheryl says
Same thing happened to mine. The taste was good but the stuffing was almost like soup! Way too much liquid. Totally ruined my Thanksgiving dinner.
Hi Cheryl – I’m so sorry to hear this! Even though it’s obviously not what I hope to hear, I appreciate any and all feedback! Like I mentioned to Angie, if you like your stuffing on the firmer side, cutting the broth down should help. But I totally understand that not having something come out the way you expect can be super disappointing, especially on Thanksgiving, and I will make sure I make a note in the recipe about reducing the broth if you want to be super sure of a firm stuffing. I hope the rest of your holidays are wonderful ones!
Angie Whiles says
Question … is the turkey breast thawed or frozen ? I cannot wait to make it !!😊
Hi Angie! The turkey breast is thawed (and thank you for asking – I will add that note to the recipe!) Happy Turkey! :)
Beth says
I LOVE that this is like Thanksgiving dinner lite for those of us who aren’t confident enough to actually cook a whole turkey. Thank you!!!!
Thanksgiving dinner lite – I love it! Happy Turkey Day!
Maryann Cames says
Making this today as trial run. Added dried cranberries to the stuffing mix and fresh green beans on top to steam.
Wish me luck!!!
Oh yay, turkey for dinner! Love your additions – and good luck, although I can already tell its going to be scrumptious!
Traci Clayton says
So excited to cook my first Thanksgiving meal……wish me luck!!!
Traci!! You are going to do great – this turkey recipe is always a winner! Good luck and happy Thanksgiving!!
Martha in KS says
Thanks, Kate. Still don’t know if I’ll be cooking for one or five. This is exactly what I need for the turkey breast I bought. And I hadn’t thought about cooking the stuffing with it, but great idea. I have several slow cookers – guess I’ll use the oval 6 qt. one for this. Gobble, gobble!
I know, what a crazy Thanksgiving this is! I think the 6 quart one sounds perfect – gobble gobble to you too! xo