A juicy whole turkey recipe made completely in the slow cooker! No basting, no brining. Use this recipe, and you will have the juiciest turkey EVER!
An Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Recipe
When I was younger my mom always slow cooked her Thanksgiving Turkey. She would prepare the turkey the day before Thanksgiving, and then she would slow cook the whole turkey in the oven overnight. Yup, overnight. She’d actually wake up, a couple times to baste the turkey. I’m sorry, but I seriously ain’t got time to wake up to baste a turkey! Nope. Honey, I refuse. Heck, during the holidays, I already have to cook candied yams, stuffing, collard greens, sweet potato pie, and let’s not even get on the gumbo (depending on how many guests are coming..) So to make a long story short, I prefer to make my Thanksgiving (Christmas & Easter too) turkey in the slow cooker. My turkey ALWAYS comes out super juicy, and the turkey recipe is fool proof!
So to get started with my slow cooker whole turkey, I gather up all my goodies. What do I use for my CrockPot Turkey? Everything that I use for my roast turkey recipe! I use onions, celery, garlic, fresh herbs, carrots, and even oranges & apples!
I know someone is going to ask ” why the oranges and apples?!”… So let me tell ya – oranges and apples flavor turkey perfectly! No it doesn’t make the turkey taste super sweet, or come out tasting like someone spilled orange juice all over the turkey. It simply adds flavor along with the other ingredients used!
The first thing I do is line my Slow Cooker with a slow cooker liner. It helps with the clean up, and it also works as a turkey bag. If you ever cooked a turkey in a bag, you know that it comes out all juicy & tender!!!
Next, I stuff the turkey cavity with a bunch of goodies.. You know the apples, oranges, herbs, celery…. Then I grab all the stuff that couldn’t fit into the turkey cavity, and toss it into the slow cooker.
Now it’s time to season the turkey. All you need is some olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder (how easy right?!) Once the turkey is seasoned, place it in the slow cooker, on top of the veggies & etc. Place the lid on the slow cooker, and set the slow cooker on low.
I usually make a 9 lb turkey, and it fits snug into my 6 qt Digital CrockPot. It takes a little work, but I’m usually able to get it in there. This is the slow cooker that I use for my turkeys 9 lbs and under.
If I have a turkey larger than 9 lbs, I usually use this slow cooker
Things to keep in mind before cooking a turkey.
Remember that you need plenty of time to defrost the turkey. Defrosting time depends on the size of the turkey.
| Time to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator | |
| 8 to 12 lbs. | 2 to 3 Days |
| 13 to 16 lbs. | 3 to 4 Days |
| 17 to 20 lbs. | 4 to 5 Days |
| 21 to 24 lbs. | 5 to 6 Days |
Slow Cooking Times on LOW
I usually make a 7-9 lb turkey. I’m sure that everyone won’t be making the exact sized turkey, so here is a little cheater below. Please keep in mind that some slow cookers run a little hotter, or cooler than others, so you may need to cook your turkey a little longer or shorter than I cook mine
| 8 to 10 lbs. | 8 – 9 hours |
| 12 to 14 lbs. | 10-12 hours |
Okay y’all, we covered all the important stuff. Make sure that you save this recipe on Pinterest!
Be sure to watch my slow cooker whole turkey video, and follow me on Facebook!
While you’re here, check out some of my other turkey recipes!
THE EASIEST THANKSGIVING TURKEY RECIPE
Slow Cooker Whole Turkey
Ingredients
- 8-10 lb whole turkey cleaned & cavity emptied
- 3 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 medium sized orange using only half
- 2 medium apples any baking apples will do
- 2 medium onion yellow, white, or red, chopped
- 2 stalks of celery cut
- 2 large carrots peeled & cut
- 5 sage leaves
- 3 sprigs of thyme
- 2 sprigs of rosemary
Instructions
- Stuff the turkey cavity with apple slices, half of a orange, celery, carrots, garlic, onions, and the fresh herbs.
- There will be leftover vegetables, herbs, and apples. Set them to the side.
- Drizzle the turkey with 2 tbsp olive, or vegetable oil.
- Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and garlic powder all over the turkey.
- Rub the turkey down, to make sure that the oil and seasonings all over.
- Now take the remaining vegetables & etc, and toss them in the slow cooker.
- FYI - as mentioned within my video & blog post, I like to use slow cooker liners.
- Drizzle the vegetables & etc, with 1 tbsp of olive oil.
- Now place the turkey in the slow cooker.
- Set the slow cooker on low, and cover with the lid.
- Now cook for 8 - 8 1/2 hours.
- Serve & enjoy the most juiciest turkey ever!
I can’t wait to try this. We usually do one in the oven and one fried turkey but this year I need simple! This will work perfectly I love cooking in the crockpot.
Yeah, this is the EASIEST turkey recipe with the best results. You just put it in the slow cooker, and when it’s done- OMG!! So juicy!!
Please do give us more Holiday recipes for the slow cooker. Thanks. I will try this one for Thanksgiving, along with the sides.
I will share more. Thanks for coming by Margaret! 😀
When you do use the apples and oranges in your turkey dish, does it give the natural juices and even the meat a citrus flavor?
I know you don’t use a ton of the apple and orange, but just curious!
It does add a light citrus flavor.
Thank you…love to see more slow cooker recipes..
More to come 😀
I do this every year with either a turkey breast or a large turkey. If mine doesn’t fit, I just jam it in there and cover it with foil instead of trying to get the lid on, and it works every time!
Great tip on using foil!! I gotta keep that in mind! XOXO
Oh heck yeah!! I’m cooking my turkey in a crockpot this year (for the 1st time) & I tasked my Mom with getting the turkey….and she got a 12lb bird…My crockpot is 8 qts….Ive been wracking my brain like how in the world am I gonna get this big A bird in this pot?? And now I know…I jam it in there & wrap the top in foil….Hot dang! I LOVE the internet!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving yall…be safe & be blessed!!
Hi Rosey
Love your recipes
Will differly try this one. You should do more crockpot meals. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next
Hi Wanda! I will try to upload more CrockPot meals 🙂
Definitely going to use this for my turkey this year. Now that I’m handicapped and in a wheelchair I can cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. Yes I would like a couple more Crockpot recipes for Thanksgiving, especially if it’s a Seafood recipe!!! Crockpot cooking is the best. Thank you.
Hi Marta!! Yes, I love this recipe! This is my all time favorite turkey recipe. More slow cooker recipes to come 🙂
I would love more holiday recipes
More to come 😀
Hi Rosie! Now, I love a ton of your recipes and was wondering if you can put your stuffing in the turkey instead of the vegies? I’d love to try this turkey recipe as well but am havin a few folks over from out of town for Thanksgiving and don’t want to mess this year’s up. My mom like yours cooked in the oven but she always stuffed with stuffing. How would that work?
Hi there. The vegetables, and herbs inside the turkey actually season it. 🙂
These would be the same instructions for a turkey breast as well?
The turkey breast would probably take less time.
Curious – I’m looking to buy a slow cooker and checking cooking times for turkey in slow cooker and it’s only a couple of hours according to slow cooker directions. . Why the need to cook so long, 8hrs?. Is there a difference in outcome for the standard cooking time using a slow roaster vs the 8 hrs. Pls advise. Does the longer cooking time produce a juicier turkey Thx.
Carolyn, who LOVES your recipes!!! Where have you been all my cooking life
Hi Carolyn. I can’t speak for others, but this is how I make my turkey. It comes out amazing. I can’t tell you why they cook theirs for less time. 🙁 . There are so many different recipes, we all have different ways of cooking things 🙂
Hi Rosie! Any suggestion on how to make gravy with your slow cooker whole turkey recipe? I made your recipe for baked turkey wings last year and they were GREAT!!!— Thanks, Stefanie
Hi Stefanie. You can check out my slow cooker smothered turkey wings. I made a gravy with that one.
Hi Rosie
I checked the size of my Turkey and it is 16.5 pound. What are the Measurement will I have to use when it comes to the ingredients?
Hi Angie! You can double the other ingredients 🙂
This is just what I needed, Thank You so much for posting this recipe. My boyfriend was supposed to smoke a turkey for us this year, but he has been busy at work and forgot Thanksgiving was this week. So now I have to find a thawed bird and start cooking for tomorrow. LOL I will be sure to post how my turkey comes out.
So glad that you found my recipe!
Tried it for Thanksgiving, it was a hit!!!
Hi Rosie! I just wanted to thank u for sharing this recipe! I tried it today -happy Thanksgiving BTW!- and it came out perfect! I gotta thank Latanya as well, my turkey was 11 lbs and my slow cooker is 6 qtrs, so I had to use the aluminum foil instead of the lid, I just used an extra liner to cover the turkey from top to bottom and covered it with the foil.
Keep up the good work! Hugs – Paula from Florida
Thanks so much for trying my recipe Paula! XOXO
I made this turkey for Thanksgiving and it was delicious. I did have a few issues with it though. I could not find a turkey under 10 lbs. The smallest I could find was a little over 10 lbs. The lid would not fit on my 7 quart slow cooker, so I had to cover it with foil. I got up to check on it after about 7 hrs. and the broth had spilled over on the kitchen counter. Luckily I caught it before it ran down on the floor. I dipped out some of the juices and saved it to make the gravy. After about 8-8.5 hours, I turned it off. When I went to take it out of the cooker to put on a platter, it fell all to pieces, but it was so good! My daughter wants to cook one this way for Christmas and she doesn’t even like turkey. I will definitely cook turkey this way again! Thanks for sharing.
Hello. I was just wondering if you could or should use brooth or water for your Crock-Pot turkey? .. I have not tried your recipe yet but I’m super excited about it and plan to try try it sooner then the holidays!
Thank you kindly!! 🙂
Hi Michelle! For best results, follow the recipe listed 🙂
Thanks for your phenomenal blog. I have been learning new recipes and thank you for posting easy instructions and quality videos that are easy to follow. You have given me the confidence I need to host Thanksgiving this year maybe. Everything you make looks so delicious packed with flavor. Heres to your continued success. Be blessed.
Hello from a new subscriber! That is one beautifully rendered bird! Amazing! My mother used to cook chickens to that point: skin shrinking away from the bones and the meat falling apart. Truly the best flavored turkeys and chickens ever!
I actually found you looking for macaroni & cheese “hacks”. A woman who has dozens of macaroni and cheese recipes is a woman after my own heart. I know everyone has their own tastes, but would you rank your top 3?
Hey Rosie girl! Long time! Just wanted to say that I saw your holiday video preview…AWESOME! You like a celebrity chef! 🙂 I hardly come on the website anymore since I follow you on social media now…but congrats, you’re doing some amazing things! If you see a post or comment under “Noel” that is me!
Can’t wait for the holidays! Have a great day!
I’m trying this recipe this weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving). Just wondering if you cooked on high or low?
Hi Tina. The setting was on low.
I am so excited to try this! With all the children, work, school, and trying to cook, this recipe will make Thanksgiving a success.
Thank you so much!!!!
Vanessa
Thank you for all of the fabulous delicious recipes Rosie… I have tried almost all of them! Your ingredients, instructions and videos are always on point and easy to follow! Keep up the great work!
Hi Rosie! I can’t wait to try this recipe in the crockpot, every year I’ve always roasted my turkey, this year I wanted to do something different. Instead of using olive oil could I use your blended herb butter you used for your roasted turkey? Thank you so much for all you do!!
Steph
You sure can 🙂
How long would you suggest to do 5-6 pound turkery in a slow cooker on low
How long do you suggest doing a 5-6 pound turkey breast in a slow cooker on low
Hi Lisa. Try 6 hours or so.
Hi Rosie! I really enjoyed watching all of your turkey videos. Grateful, I won’t have to bribe this year! Are you still able to use the turkey butter in this slow cooker recipe?
Yes, you can still use the turkey butter if you make it in the slow cooker. 🙂
What kind of apples do you suggest would be best? I’m trying this recipe for Thanksgiving.
Granny Smiths work great.
Thank you so much for sharing. I’ve tried some of your other recipes and i have enjoyed them so i am excited to try this one. My question is, If i use the roaster oven what temperature should i use and for how long should i let it cook for? Should i still follow the time frame you posted for the slow cooker?
Hi Natalie. If you’re not using a slow cooker, please feel free to use this recipe, but take a lot at my Roast Turkey recipe for directions.
Aloha I have been cooking 2 turkeys every for about 6 years I have tried almost every possible way accept in a crock pot I have looked al over the web and most recipes are for just the breast your recipe is for a 9 lb turkey in 6 quart crock a have a 8 quart crock and a 12-13lb turkey can I do it?
You may need a bigger slow cooker 🙂
Hi Rosie! This looks yummy! Think I’m going to give it a go for this Thanksgiving 🙂 Wanted to ask if you are left with enough juices to make gravy, or should I leave the carrots out so they don’t absorb too much of it??
There should be plenty to make gravy :-).
Hi Rosie,
I just found your crock pot whole turkey recipe.I was wondering if you could use a different stuffing . I’m allergic to oranges so could I use a box stuffing . I really want to try this recipe. I’m allergic to all citrus.
Sure, you can do that.
Hi Rosie. What if I wanted to use slow cooker for an already precooked and smoked turkey. Same amount of time to cook???
No, if it’s already cooked it wouldn’t need much time. You pretty much are just reheating it.
Do you leave the skin (rind) on the orange when you stuff it in the bird? Do you put the other half of the orange in the slow cooker with the apples and if so do you leave the rind on there as well? I have this all set up to do tomorrow for Thanksgiving with our 7 lbs Turkey breast!
Yes, leave the peel on the orange. I just use enough to stuff the turkey.
Hi Rosie!
Just wondering if you’ve tried cooking at High and how much less hours that would take if you even recommend it.
We happened to have a second turkey (brined) as a gift and need to cook it before it goes bad and severely pressed for time.
The turkey is 11.5 lbs.
tia!
Cindy
I’ve never done it. You can give it a try
Hi, Rosie:
I googled “turkey slow cooker recipes” and your was one that I found. After viewing hoot video and reading the blog, I decided this was the one to go with. Long story short, out turned out perfect!!! I love using my slow cookers, but had never thought I could cook a turkey in it; until I had to do it. Thanks to your recipe, it turned out perfect! Thanks again!
Turkey is generally not available popularly in India. Thus I tried your recipe with chicken. It was equally delicous.
Hi there! I know this is an older post, but hoping someone will see my questions. 🙂
If I cook a larger turkey covered with foil instead of the slow cooker lid, can the bag cover the top of the turkey in order to avoid juices dripping out?
I’m also wondering how the skin of the bird comes out… is it soggy?
Thanks!
Hi Julie. You can use a turkey bag. If the skin isn’t crispy enough for you, you can crisp it in the oven on broil. Happy Holidays!
When I realized my super small oven (more like a glorified microwave) couldn’t fit a whole turkey, I thought my Thanksgiving would be doomed. I’m SO GLAD I came across this recipe! It turned out one of the tastiest turkeys my husband and I have ever had. This may be our new go-to recipe, even when we have a full-sized oven! My turkey was almost 10 lbs, and I did the bag/aluminum foil method others have mentioned with 0 issues in my 6 qt slow cooker. I was amazed when I could just pull away sparkling-clean bones. The turkey basically cut itself! When we sat down to eat, I didn’t even notice/care that the skin wasn’t beautifully golden and crispy like after roasting. Thanks for sharing this great recipe!
I can’t wait to try out ur recipes for Thanksgiving!!