Crockpot Turkey Breast with Homemade Gravy Recipe
This Crockpot Turkey Breast recipe offers a simple and delicious way to prepare tender, juicy turkey breast with minimal effort. Cooked low and slow in a slow cooker with a perfect blend of spices and butter, it ensures moist meat and is complemented by an optional homemade turkey gravy made from the drippings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low
- Total Time: 4 hours (average)
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey
- 3 pound turkey breast roast
- 1 small onion (cut into large chunks)
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup turkey drippings
Turkey Gravy (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- Water or extra chicken broth as needed
Instructions
- Prepare Turkey: Pat the turkey breast dry thoroughly using a paper towel to remove any excess moisture for better cooking and browning.
- Add Onion: Place the onion chunks at the bottom of the slow cooker to provide flavor and a bed for the turkey.
- Butter the Turkey: Slather the entire turkey breast with the 4 tablespoons of salted butter, ensuring even coverage.
- Place in Crockpot: Position the buttered turkey breast on top of the onions inside the slow cooker.
- Add Broth: Pour 1 cup of low sodium chicken broth around the turkey (not over it) to keep the meat moist during cooking.
- Season: Sprinkle the sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, sweet paprika, and dried parsley flakes evenly over the turkey breast.
- Cook: Cover and cook the turkey on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C).
- Rest Turkey: Remove the turkey from the crockpot and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to let juices redistribute.
- Prepare Gravy: Optional – Remove 1 cup of the cooking drippings from the crockpot and strain it through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, skimming off any fat from the top.
- Make Roux: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter until fully melted.
- Add Flour: Whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour until smooth and cook, stirring constantly, scraping the sides of the pan to prevent lumps.
- Incorporate Drippings: Gradually pour the strained turkey drippings into the saucepan while whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
- Adjust Consistency: Add water or extra chicken broth as needed to reach your desired gravy thickness. Taste and adjust seasoning only if necessary, although it usually requires no extra seasoning.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Cooking times vary based on crockpot model and turkey size; checking early is recommended.
- Butter helps keep the turkey moist and adds flavor while the onion provides aromatic undertones.
- Gravy made from the drippings enhances flavor and reduces food waste but is optional.
- Leftover turkey and gravy can be refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for longer storage.
Keywords: crockpot turkey breast, slow cooker turkey, easy turkey recipe, turkey breast roast, homemade turkey gravy
