Thanksgiving turkey in a snap without leftovers for days? Why not! We all know this year is going to be different than years past. If you're having a small gathering, ditch the whole turkey and instead make Crockpot Turkey and Stuffing!
Be sure to make this Candied Sweet Potato Recipe or the Make-ahead Sweet Potato Casserole to serve alongside!
And if you have leftovers, make Turkey Chowder - it's so yummy!
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Why you'll love this recipe
Turkey made in the slow cooker is perfect for small gatherings! And the delicious homemade sausage dressing is the best stuffing recipe! It's so good you'll be snacking before dinner, let me tell you! This recipe is family tested and approved!
- This recipe is easy to make resulting in tender, delicious meat every time.
- No oven space, no problem! This meal is cooked right in the slow cooker.
- You'll have all the flavors of Thanksgiving Dinner without leftovers for days!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements for the slow cooker turkey breast recipe, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- bone-in turkey breast
- mild or spicy Italian sausage
- cream, half & half or milk
- stuffing mix
- celery and onions
- salt and pepper, butter
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for this juicy turkey breast recipe. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Start by browning the Italian sausage in a large skillet.
- Add the diced celery and onion.
- Sauté until brown and caramelized.
- Add the sautéed veggies, sausage and stuffing to a bowl.
- Season with sage, add the cream and lightly mix until combined.
- Place turkey in a in the bottom of the crockpot. Add the dressing. Brush on melted butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Any leftover butter can be drizzled over the stuffing. Cover and set on low, cook for 3-4 hours.
FAQ's
Yes, ground meat should always be cooked before adding it to your slow cooker. Browning and removing excess grease will ensure the Crockpot Stuffed Turkey Breast isn't greasy!
Plan on about 1 pound of meat per person. Serving additional side dishes with the meal will help stretch the main dish and of course just make the meal more yummy!
If your stuffing is a little soggy when the turkey breast is done, placing it in the oven uncovered help dry it out. Spread it out on a cookie sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes in preheated 350 degree oven. It will be perfect!
Absolutely, leftovers freeze great! Place it in freezer containers or wrap in aluminum foil. It will last 2-3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Tips
- If you purchase a frozen turkey breast, plan accordingly so it is completely thawed. It takes 24 hours per 5 pounds. It should be thawed in the refrigerator, not on the counter!!
- A boneless turkey breast may take less time. Be sure to check the internal temperature.
- Remove it from the freezer three to five days before cooking to ensure it's ready to go on T-Day.
- When you move the breast to the refrigerator, be sure to place it in a large bowl to catch any drippings as it thaws.
- You'll know the turkey is done when an instant read thermometer reaches 165 degrees.
- An oval slow cooker will be your best choice. A round crock won't be large enough to hold everything!
- Be sure to have a meat thermometer available. It will be done when the internal temperature reads 170 degrees.
Expert Tip! Your bird is done but the skin isn't crispy, oh no!
Save the day by lightly brushing the top of the bird with syrup (maple or corn syrup, either will work!), then place it under the broiler. Keep an eye on it! It only takes 5-8 minutes and the skin will crisp right up! No need to remove it from the crockpot first - just tuck it under the broiler.
Variations
Whisking the milk or cream with cream of chicken soup adds another layer of flavor and will keep the stuffing moist.
Substitute chicken stock for milk if you'd prefer.
Storage
Allow to cool completely and store in an airtight container, refrigerated up to three days. Leftovers freeze great up for three months.
Related recipes
If you have leftover turkey after your holiday dinner, but aren't interested in turkey sandwiches - here are a few of my favorite recipes!
- Substitute turkey for chicken and use your leftovers and make this easy recipe for Chicken Casserole with Stuffing. We love this delicious recipe!
- The Ultimate Chicken Casserole would be a great option if you didn't want to make a big bird.
- Turkey Corn Chowder - this is so simple, rich and delicious. It's a great way to repurpose your leftovers!
- You can use leftover rotisserie chicken or turkey to make Turkey Tetrazzini or Turkey Pot Pie.
- Dice up the meat and make these wonderful pinwheel rollups, stuffed with bacon, cream cheese and ranch seasoning - these are simple and good!
- If you're looking for an easy slow cooker recipe, start here. Slow cooker chicken and gravy is so easy and good!
Serve with
My two favorite side dishes to serve with this tender turkey breast is rutabagas and candied sweet potatoes, yum! Thanksgiving isn't complete without them!
We love this recipe for Cranberry Apple Orange Sauce - it's a must when you're serving turkey!
Now this is a great meal that can be made year round. If you're not into the whole holiday theme, serve a great green salad and of course, rolls are a MUST!
A classic green bean casserole has to be on the table, right?!!
Gravy? Yes we need that too! If you need to brush up on your gravy making skill, check out how to make gravy from scratch, here!
Cranberry Sauce is required too (at least on our table!) 😋
If a whole bird is more fitting for your celebration, you'll find the easiest and BEST turkey recipe here!
Now if you're looking for more great side dishes, be sure and check out my favorites holiday side dish post. It's full of great recipes for side dishes that are tried and true favorites!
What are your favorite sides? Happy Thanksgiving!
Crock Pot Turkey Breast with Stuffing
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 pound turkey breast
- 6 ounce box of stuffing
- ½ mild Italian sausage
- 1 onion diced
- 2 stocks of celery diced
- ½ teaspoon sage
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- ⅓ cup cream or whole milk
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Instructions
- Prepare the crockpot by spraying with nonstick cooking spray.
- Brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat. When brown, drain if desired.
- Dice the celery and onion. When the sausage is cooked add celery and onion. Sauté until brown and caramelized.
- Add the sautéed veggies and sausage to a bowl. Add in the bread cubes stuffing mix. Melt butter, add to the bowl. Season with sage, add the cream and mix until combined.
- Place the turkey breast skin side up, into the bottom of the crock pot. Add the dressing. Brush melted butter on the bird and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzled any leftover butter over the stuffing.
- Cover and set on low, cook for 3-4 hours until an instant reader thermometer register 165 degrees.
- Allow to rest for 15 minutes before carving. Serve and enjoy!
Riley
I want to try this for Thanksgiving next week. Is the breast placed in the crockpot right side up or meaty side down? Thank you
Bowl Me Over
Great question Riley - you'll place it in the crockpot skin-side up. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!
Colleen
Love sausage dressing.
This sure will be Great instead of eating pizza or having hamburgers like we noramlly have. (hubby does like his hamburgers; and/or homemade pizza.)
Think I will have bacon wrapped asparagus, a few deviled eggs,a small pasta salad and of course a bottle of wine to go along with.
Thank You
Have an enjoyable weekend.
Bowl Me Over
That sounds like a great Thanksgiving dinner Colleen! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Susan
Can I make this without the sausage?
Bowl Me Over
You certainly can, it's not going to change the cooking time at all, however the sausage adds a lot of flavor in the dressing. Perhaps you can substitute something that you'd prefer? Turkey sausage, kielbasa, bacon or even a yummy chorizo.
Erin
We loved this so much for Thanksgiving because it was so easy, but also SO tasty! Will be adding it to our menu rotation for regular weeks, too, because the girls LOVED it so much!
Robin
This looks so good. Can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing.
Paula Bucher
Since there is only 2 of us, I am wondering if this recipe will work with turkey quarters (thighs/drums) instead of the breast. I'm loving the no-fuss, no-muss of this recipe!
Bowl Me Over
No reason it won't Paula! Just be sure to check the temperature of the meat with an instant read thermometer. You'll want to have it register to 165 degrees to ensure it's fully cooked. Just insert it into the thickest part of the thigh. Enjoy!
JOSIE ANN Kenkel
less people at Thanksgiving this year -- this is a perfect size and so hands-off I can enjoy my family instead of being stuck in the kitchen!
Bowl Me Over
Totally, right Josie?!! Happy T-Day in advance, enjoy this yummy recipe, thank you!
Julie Menghini
We love turkey all year long, and this recipe was tender and delicious!
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed it Julie, thanks!!
Jennifer Stewart
I am not a dark meat eater so I love the idea of just using a breast and still getting all those yummy juices to mix with my dressing!
Bowl Me Over
Fantastic, this will be a hit for your holidays!!
Debi
We regularly make a turkey in the crock pot. I love that this is just the breast, this year will be a smaller gathering, so we don't need the whole bird. Thanks for this - it makes life easier!
Bowl Me Over
That's great, I think you'll really enjoy this recipe!