Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Homemade Gravy
Discover the ultimate stress-free holiday meal or an impressive weeknight dinner with this incredible recipe for Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Mashed Potatoes. By leveraging the magic of your slow cooker, you can achieve a perfectly tender, succulent turkey breast alongside incredibly creamy mashed potatoes and a rich, savory homemade gravy, all without breaking a sweat. This comprehensive guide ensures a flavorful turkey and easy-to-finish potatoes, making it a staple for your family dinner rotation.
Forget dry turkey and bland sides. This recipe focuses on maximizing flavor and moisture. Using a whole boneless or bone-in turkey breast in your slow cooker creates an unparalleled juiciness that’s hard to achieve with other cooking methods. The turkey cooks gently in its own juices, which then become the flavorful foundation for a thick, delicious gravy – no need for store-bought gravy packets here! This method is a game-changer for a simple yet elegant turkey dinner recipe that consistently delivers tender meat and a delightful gravy.
Whether you’re planning a fuss-free Thanksgiving dinner for a smaller crowd or an effortless weeknight meal that tastes like a special occasion, this slow cooker turkey breast recipe is your secret weapon. It requires minimal effort upfront but yields maximum flavor, proving that delicious home-cooked meals don’t have to be complicated. The slow cooking process allows the flavors of the garlic and herbs to deeply infuse the turkey, resulting in a wonderfully aromatic and deeply satisfying dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Essential Ingredients for the Best Slow Cooker Turkey with Mashed Potatoes:
To create this mouthwatering slow cooker turkey and mashed potato masterpiece, you’ll need a few fresh ingredients and pantry staples. The key to a truly flavorful dish lies in the quality of your ingredients and the aromatic herb butter mixture.
For the Slow Cooker Turkey:
- Meat: Select a 3-8 lb turkey breast from the meat section of your grocery store. You have the flexibility to choose either a bone-in or boneless turkey breast. A bone-in breast often yields more flavor and moisture, while a boneless one is easier to carve. Both work beautifully in the slow cooker.
- Potatoes: You will need 5-6 large russet potatoes. These starchy potatoes are perfect for mashing, as they break down easily and absorb butter and milk for a fluffy, creamy texture. Remember to peel them before cooking.
For Creamy Mashed Potatoes (finishing touches):
- Liquid: Approximately ½ to 1 cup of milk. Use whatever type of milk you have on hand – whole, 2%, or even skim will work, though whole milk will produce the richest result.
- Butter: You’ll need 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, sliced into smaller pieces to melt easily into the hot potatoes.
For the Aromatic Garlic Herb Butter:
- Butter: Start with ½ cup of softened unsalted butter. Softened butter is crucial for easily mixing with the herbs and rubbing onto the turkey.
- Seasoning: A blend of classic herbs and spices elevates the turkey’s flavor profile. You will need 1 ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp minced garlic, 1 tbsp fresh sage (or ½ tsp dried), 1 tbsp fresh rosemary (or ½ tsp dried), and 1 tbsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried). Fresh herbs offer a brighter flavor, but dried herbs are a convenient alternative if fresh aren’t available.
For the Homemade Gravy:
- Liquid: The turkey’s natural juices from the slow cooker will form the base. If you need more volume, you can use extra chicken broth or cold water to reach the desired amount.
- Thickening Agent: 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, typically found in the baking aisle, will create a smooth, glossy, and perfectly thickened gravy. You will also need 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a cornstarch slurry.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey with Mashed Potatoes:
Preparing this impressive meal is surprisingly straightforward, thanks to the slow cooker doing most of the work. Follow these simple steps for a perfect turkey dinner.
Prepping the Ingredients:
First, prepare your potatoes. Wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt, then peel them completely. It’s important to leave the potatoes whole – do not slice or dice them at this stage. Cooking them whole in the slow cooker alongside the turkey allows them to become incredibly tender and infused with turkey flavor, making them ideal for mashing later.
Next, prepare the turkey breast. Carefully remove it from its packaging. Use paper towels to pat the turkey dry on all sides. This step is crucial, especially if your turkey has skin, as it helps the herb butter adhere better and can promote a slightly crispier skin if you choose to finish it under the broiler. Check for and remove any giblet packets or gravy packets that might be tucked inside the turkey cavity.
Now, it’s time to create the aromatic garlic herb butter. In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with the salt, black pepper, minced garlic, fresh sage (or dried), fresh rosemary (or dried), and fresh thyme (or dried). Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and form a fragrant, spreadable paste.
Generously rub this flavorful garlic herb butter all over the turkey breast. If your turkey breast has skin, gently lift the skin and rub a good portion of the butter directly onto the meat underneath. This technique helps to flavor the meat directly and keep it moist. Then, spread the remaining butter over the top of the skin. If your turkey is boneless and skinless, simply rub the butter all over the exterior.
Slow Cooking the Turkey and Potatoes:
Carefully place the prepared turkey breast into your slow cooker. Arrange the whole, peeled potatoes around the turkey. The potatoes will cook directly in the turkey’s juices, absorbing all the wonderful flavors.
If your turkey breast came with a pre-packaged gravy packet, you can add it to the slow cooker now. This will contribute to the liquid in the pot and enhance the flavor of your homemade gravy later, though it’s perfectly fine to omit it if you prefer a purely homemade approach.
Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Cook on the LOW setting for 5-8 hours. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your turkey breast and your slow cooker’s efficiency. The turkey is perfectly cooked when its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) when measured with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast, without touching the bone. The turkey should be fork-tender and incredibly moist.
Making the Creamy Mashed Potatoes:
Once the turkey is cooked, carefully remove the tender potatoes from the slow cooker and transfer them into a large mixing bowl. Add the sliced butter and milk to the hot potatoes. Using a potato masher, mash the ingredients together until the potatoes are smooth and creamy, with no lumps remaining. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if desired. The potatoes will be wonderfully rich and flavorful from cooking with the turkey.
Crafting the Rich Homemade Gravy:
This homemade gravy is the crowning glory of your slow cooker turkey dinner. Carefully strain all the flavorful juices from the bottom of the slow cooker into a separate bowl. This will remove any herb bits or small turkey particles, leaving you with a smooth liquid base. Measure the strained juices; if you have less than 3 cups, add enough extra chicken broth or water to reach the 3-cup mark. This ensures you have ample gravy for serving.
Allow the juices to sit for a few minutes, and you’ll notice the fat separating and rising to the top. Using a spoon, carefully skim off about ¼ cup of this fat and discard it. This step helps to create a lighter, less greasy gravy, though it is optional if you prefer a richer gravy.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water until a smooth slurry forms. This slurry is essential for thickening the gravy without lumps.
Pour the defatted turkey juices into a saucepan and place it over medium heat. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to simmer and whisk constantly for 3-4 minutes, or until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Storing Your Delicious Leftover Slow Cooker Turkey Dinner:
Leftovers from this slow cooker turkey recipe are just as delicious and provide a fantastic meal prep option. Proper storage ensures they remain fresh and safe to eat.
Fridge: Once the cooked turkey breast, gravy, and mashed potatoes have cooled down to room temperature (within 2 hours of cooking), transfer them into separate airtight containers. Store these holiday dinner leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. Be sure to keep the turkey separate from the gravy and mashed potatoes to maintain optimal texture and flavor when reheating.
Freezer: For longer storage, you can easily freeze the leftovers from this crockpot turkey breast recipe. Once cooled, place the turkey meat, gravy, and mashed potatoes into separate freezer-safe bags or containers. Label them with the date. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 90 days. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
Expert Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe:
Achieving a perfectly juicy and flavorful turkey in your slow cooker is simple with a few helpful hints. These tips will ensure your slow cooker turkey and mashed potatoes turn out flawlessly every time.
Choosing the Right Type of Turkey Breast:
You have the flexibility to use either boneless turkey breasts or bone-in turkey breasts for this recipe. Both options will yield delicious results in the slow cooker. However, it’s important to note that a bone-in breast will generally take slightly longer to cook through to the safe internal temperature compared to a boneless one. Bone-in breasts also tend to release more flavor into the cooking liquid, which is excellent for the gravy.
Ensuring Safe Internal Temperature for Turkey:
To guarantee your turkey is cooked thoroughly and is safe to eat, always use a reliable meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast, making sure it doesn’t touch any bone. The crock pot turkey is perfectly cooked when it has reached an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
Best Types of Potatoes for Creamy Mashed Potatoes:
For the creamiest and most flavorful mashed potatoes, I highly recommend using russet potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes in this recipe. Russets are starchy and become very fluffy when mashed, absorbing butter and milk beautifully. Yukon golds are slightly less starchy but have a naturally buttery flavor and creamy texture that works wonderfully. Both varieties will create a delightful side dish to complement your juicy turkey.
Achieving Crispy Skin (Optional):
While slow cooking results in incredibly tender turkey, the skin won’t get crispy. If you prefer crispy skin, transfer the cooked turkey breast to a baking sheet after it reaches 165°F. Place it under a preheated broiler for 5-10 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning, until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
Resting the Turkey:
After the turkey is done cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest on a cutting board, loosely tented with foil, for 10-15 minutes before carving. This resting period is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is as juicy as possible.
Make Ahead Options:
This recipe is excellent for making ahead, especially the gravy. You can prepare the gravy up to 2-3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop, whisking frequently, and add a splash of broth or water if it’s too thick. The herb butter can also be prepared a day in advance and stored in the fridge.
Customizing Herb Flavors:
Feel free to experiment with the herbs in the butter mixture to suit your taste. While sage, rosemary, and thyme are classic for turkey, you could also add a pinch of dried oregano, a touch of paprika for color, or even a hint of onion powder for extra depth of flavor. Always taste and adjust as you go!
More Favorite Side Dish Recipes to Complete Your Meal:
A delicious turkey dinner wouldn’t be complete without a selection of amazing side dishes. Here are some of our favorite side dish recipes that pair wonderfully with slow cooker turkey and mashed potatoes:
- Garlic Pull Apart Rolls – Roll Dough Recipe: Warm, buttery, and garlicky, these rolls are perfect for soaking up every drop of gravy.
- Avocado Corn Salad: A fresh and vibrant salad to add a light contrast to the rich main course.
- Ranch Bacon Pasta Salad: A creamy and savory pasta salad for an extra indulgent side.
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad: A unique twist on two classics, offering rich flavors and textures.
- Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes: If you’re looking for even more mashed potato variations, this recipe focuses purely on those flavorful herbs.
Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey with Mashed Potatoes
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Ingredients
Turkey
- 3-8 lb turkey breast (bone-in or boneless)
- 5-6 large russet potatoes
Mashed potato ingredients for the end:
- ½-1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter, sliced
Garlic herb butter:
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, or ½ tsp dried
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, or ½ tsp dried
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, or ½ tsp dried
Gravy:
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
Turkey
- Wash and peel the potatoes leave them whole – do not slice or dice the potatoes.
- Pat the turkey dry and remove any packets in the turkey (if yours has any).
- Mix all of the garlic herbs butter ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Rub all of the garlic herb butter under the skin and above the skin of the turkey.
- Place the turkey into the slow cooker. If your turkey comes with a gravy packet pour it in.
- Place the potatoes around the turkey.
- Cover with a lid and cook on low for 5-7 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees and cooked to tender perfection.
Potatoes
- Remove the potatoes and place into a large mixing bowl. Add in the butter and milk mash the potatoes until smooth.
Gravy
- Strain the juices carefully into a bowl. If you have less than 3 cups add in extra chicken broth to get to the measurement.
- When the fat comes to the top spoon off 1/4 cup of it and discard it.
- To a separate bowl add in the cornstarch and water whisk well. Set to the side
- Place liquid into a saucepan over medium heat once it starts to simmer add in the cornstarch slurry simmer until it thickens 3-4 minutes.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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