Ideal for a simple but crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving dinner, this Crock Pot Turkey and Stuffing is the easiest way to cook an entire turkey breast! The end result is tender and juicy meat with perfectly comforting stuffing, all in the slow cooker.
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If you're looking for an easier way to prepare the perfect Thanksgiving feast, this slow-cooker turkey recipe is the way to go. It cooks a turkey breast in the crock pot followed by classic stuffing for a holiday meal everybody knows and loves.
Why This Recipe Works
Preparing a turkey yourself for the first time? Or just looking for a new, easier way to prepare your dinner this Thanksgiving that saves oven space?
This slow cooker recipe will perfectly cook a large turkey breast followed by classic stuffing for an easy take on the signature dinner. Serve with a side of my Make Ahead Turkey Gravy, Sweet Potato Crunch, and some Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls.
Ingredients Needed
- Seasonings: A simple blend of salt and black pepper, paprika, and poultry seasoning is all you need. Use smoked paprika for a richer flavor.
- Turkey Breast: You'll want a turkey breast between 7 and 10 pounds. If it's frozen, be sure to thaw it first.
- Unsalted Butter
- Veggies: Carrots, celery, and onions are all essential ingredients for a delicious stuffing.
- Chicken Broth: You can also use vegetable broth if you prefer, but chicken stock will add more savory flavor.
- Box Stuffing Mix: I used Stove Top Stuffing
How to Make this Crock Pot Turkey and Stuffing
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine salt and pepper, paprika, and poultry seasoning.
- Step 2: Use some paper towels to pat the turkey dry, then rub all over with softened butter and follow with the seasoning blend.
- Step 3: To the crock pot, add the diced onions, diced carrots, and diced celery. Pour chicken broth over top
- Step 4: Top with the seasoned turkey breast and cover. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.
- Step 5: When the turkey reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees, remove it from the slow cooker and transfer to a baking sheet.
- Step 6: Separate the cooked vegetables from the cooking liquid, reserving a cup and a half of the liquid and placing back in the slow cooker.
- Step 7: Add the dry stuffing mixture to the slow cooker along with a cup and a half of turkey drippings from the sheet pan.
- Step 8: Cook the stuffing for about 10 minutes on high. In the meantime, broil the turkey for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
Recipe Tips
- I typically use a bone-in turkey breast for this recipe, but you can use a boneless turkey breast as well. Be aware that boneless turkey will cook faster, so check for doneness sooner.
- If you have more drippings than you need for the stuffing, use them for gravy! Strain them and thicken with a flour roux or cornstarch.
- Use a digital thermometer or meat thermometer to check the densest part of the turkey for a temperature of 165F.
- Store leftover turkey and leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- For even cooking, arrange the veggies in an even layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes! As long as you cook the turkey to the minimum temperature that's safe (165 degrees F) it's perfectly safe to slow cook your turkey.
I prefer to wait until the turkey is done to cook the stuffing when it comes to this crock pot method. If you cook them at the same time, the crockpot stuffing will end up a mushy mess and the turkey might not cook properly.
Yes, you can use chicken breast, but the cooking time will change as they are much smaller.
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Crock Pot Turkey and Stuffing
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 bone-in turkey breast between 7-10 pounds thawed
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 medium yellow onion diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 carrots peeled and diced (about ½ cup)
- 2 ribs celery ½” diced about ½ cup
- ½ cup chicken stock low sodium
- 1 12 ounce box cubed stove top stuffing mix any flavor
Instructions
- Mix the spices in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Pat the turkey dry with paper towels and remove any extra parts. Set aside on a baking tray.
- Rub the turkey breast skin with the softened butter try and get under the skin with some of it. Sprinkle with the spice mixture. Set aside.
- Add the onion, celery, carrot, and chicken stock to a six qt or larger crock pot. Top with the seasoned turkey breast and cover.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours until the internal temperature of the breast is 165 degrees when a thermometer is inserted in the center.
- Remove the turkey and place it on a sheet pan for 10 minutes.
- Remove all but 1.5 cups of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker, also leaving the veggies.
- a. *Note*: Depending on the size of your turkey, the drippings may yield more than the needed 1 ½ cups. Any leftover drippings make a great homemade turkey gravy!
- b. If your turkey breast is smaller and the liquid yield is less than 1 ½ cups, supplement the missing liquid amount with chicken broth.
- Add the dry stuffing mix to the crock pot with the cooked veggies, and add back the 1 ½ cups of drippings. see notes
- Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula, cover, and cook on high for 15-25 minutes.
- After the turkey has rested for 10 minutes, preheat the oven broiler to high and place the turkey in the center of the oven and broil for 3 to 5 minutes to crisp the skin. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn.
- Slice and serve the turkey with the crock pot stuffing and your favorite side dishes.
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