Check out more of the very best turkey recipes like Air Fryer Turkey Breast, Crockpot Turkey Breast and Instant Pot Turkey Breast. This easy Crockpot turkey recipe is for those who don’t want to be bothered with roasting! It’s slathered in garlic butter and cooks all day (or night!) in the slow cooker. It’s so easy to make this whole turkey in the crock pot with no fuss. My slow cooker is where I turn when I need a moist pot roast, or whole chicken, or turkey, and I don’t want to have to babysit it. It’s perfect for big days like Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have a million side dishes to worry about. Because we want things to be as easy as possible on the big day!
Why we love this Crockpot Turkey with Garlic Butter:
Simple ingredients: If you take a quick look at the ingredients listed below, you may notice something amazing – you only need a turkey, butter, and four seasonings to make this recipe! No fuss: This is a true set it and forget it Crockpot recipe that takes just 10 minutes to toss together. But don’t worry, it’s so juicy and flavorful without all of the extra steps. Your guests will still think you fussed over it all day! Tried and true: I’ve been making this slow cooker turkey recipe for years. So far, I’ve never had it fail me even once.
Garlic Butter Crockpot Turkey Ingredients:
Whole Turkey: Give your turkey adequate time to thaw. Whole turkeys require one day in the refrigerate for every 4 lbs to thaw completely, which means for this recipe (since you’ll need a small turkey), you’ll likely want to give yourself about 2 days. Butter: I prefer using unsalted butter. That way, I can add more salt if needed and better control the amount of sodium in the recipe. Seasonings: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, seasoning salt and black pepper is all you need to create the very best flavor palate!
How to make a whole turkey in the slow cooker:
Take a sneak peak at just how simple this process really is! For more detailed ingredient measurements and step by step instructions, keep on scrolling down to the recipe card.
Make the garlic butter by combining the butter and seasonings. Reserve a couple of tablespoons of the garlic butter and set aside. Loosen the skin of the turkey.
Spread the garlic butter underneath the skin and on top of the bird. Slow cook the turkey for 3-4 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low.
How to store leftover turkey
You can store your leftover turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I like to remove all of the meat from the bones and store it in a big ziplock bag, that way I can really enjoy all of those Thanksgiving leftovers! Use your leftover turkey meat in recipes like Leftover Turkey Soup, Creamy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie and One Pot Turkey Tetrazzini.
Can I freeze this Crockpot Turkey?
Yes! I recommend removing the meat from the turkey carcass prior to freezing. Also, make sure it’s totally cooled to room temperature prior to freezing in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Don’t forget to date and label!
Tips for the Best Crockpot Turkey
Know your Crockpot. All cook differently, and will hold different sizes of turkeys. For this recipe, an oval slow cooker will work best, but all cook at slightly different temperatures. I use a large 6 quart slow cooker for this recipe. Because we want to be super safe when serving poultry, you always want to check the internal temperature of the turkey with a meat thermometer. It should read 180°F in the thigh and 170°F in the breast. When cooking a turkey in the Crockpot, it’s not going to dry out as easily as it would in the oven if you go past the optimal temperature somewhat. If you end up cooking 8 or 10 hours because you’re out of the house, your turkey will still be incredibly moist and juicy.
Serving suggestions:
While everyone calls it “turkey day,” the sides are also worth drooling over! Some of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes include Homemade Stuffing, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Homemade Creamed Corn. Of course, you have to follow it all up with something as fabulous as Turtle Pumpkin Pie or a slice of Pumpkin Cheesecake.
More Crockpot recipes you’ll love!
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin — an easy meal for any night of the week. Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Gravy — for a holiday or Sunday dinner! Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs — they cook so quickly! Crockpot Pulled Pork — we love this one all year round!
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