If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food that practically makes itself, you’ve got to try my Slow Cooker Turkey with Creamy Gravy Recipe. It’s hands-off, foolproof, and comes out juicy with this luscious, velvety gravy that’s perfect over mashed potatoes or buttery noodles. I absolutely love how this turns out every single time — it’s the kind of dish that makes your kitchen smell like a cozy Sunday dinner, and it’s a total crowd-pleaser. Stick around because I’m sharing all my tips to make sure your turkey is tender, flavorful, and your gravy is silky smooth.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Cooking: Toss everything in your slow cooker and walk away — no babysitting required.
Juicy, Tender Turkey: Slow cooking makes the turkey so tender, it shreds like a dream.
Rich, Creamy Gravy: The built-in gravy is packed with flavor and has the perfect silky texture.
Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a weeknight meal or a casual gathering, this recipe shines every time.

The dish shows two white plates on a white marbled surface, each filled with soft, yellow mashed potatoes forming the base layer, topped with a creamy, light tan chicken and gravy mixture with small pieces of chicken visible and small green herb sprigs scattered on top. A gold spoon rests on one plate, and around the plates are small wooden bowls containing different colored peppercorns and pink salt. A white slow cooker with the same chicken and gravy mix is partially visible in the upper right corner. The scene includes two gold forks on the left side of the image and a white cloth with blue stripes in the top left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker Turkey with Creamy Gravy, easy turkey with gravy, fall comfort food recipes, moist turkey dinner ideas, slow cooker holiday main dish

Ingredients You’ll Need

These few simple ingredients work beautifully together to create a comforting dish without a lot of fuss. Make sure to pick a good-quality boneless turkey breast for the best texture, and fresh thyme really adds that herby lift to the gravy.

Flat lay of a large raw boneless turkey breast with smooth pale pink skin, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse black pepper, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red paprika powder, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy chicken soup base, a small white ceramic bowl holding golden chicken broth, and three fresh green thyme sprigs neatly arranged, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Slow Cooker Turkey with Creamy Gravy, easy turkey with gravy, fall comfort food recipes, moist turkey dinner ideas, slow cooker holiday main dish

Boneless turkey breast: Choose a fresh or thawed breast that’s evenly sized for consistent cooking.
Black pepper: Adds just a hint of warmth without overpowering the turkey’s flavor.
Paprika: Gives a subtle smokiness and a touch of color to the turkey.
Cream of chicken soup: Serves as the creamy base for the gravy and keeps the turkey moist.
Pioneer turkey gravy packet: Or use any other high-quality gravy mix you prefer for rich turkey flavor.
Chicken broth or stock: Adds depth and keeps the gravy from being too thick or heavy.
Fresh thyme sprigs: Fresh herbs really brighten up the gravy, so don’t skip them.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with this Slow Cooker Turkey with Creamy Gravy Recipe depending on the season and what’s on hand. You can keep it classic or add your own twist — it’s super flexible!

Herb Variation: I sometimes swap fresh thyme for rosemary or sage — each brings a different but equally delicious herbal note.
Dairy-Free Option: Use a dairy-free cream of chicken soup and chicken broth for a creamy, allergy-friendly version.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for a little heat without overwhelming the flavors.
Make it a Meal: Toss in some sliced mushrooms or diced onions right at the start for extra flavor and veggies.

How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey with Creamy Gravy Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Turkey and Seasonings

Start by placing your turkey breast right into the slow cooker pot. Don’t bother with extra oil or browning here — we’re letting the slow cooker do the magic. Sprinkle black pepper and paprika evenly over the top. This simple seasoning brings out the turkey’s natural flavor and gives the gravy a subtle warmth.

Step 2: Whisk Together Your Creamy Gravy

In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, turkey gravy packet, and chicken broth until smooth. This mix is going to keep your turkey juicy while building the rich gravy base. Make sure there are no lumps so your gravy turns out silky smooth.

Step 3: Combine and Add Fresh Thyme

Pour the gravy mixture right over the turkey breast in the slow cooker. Then tuck in your fresh thyme sprigs—these add a subtle herbal aroma that transforms the whole dish. Cover and set your slow cooker to LOW for about 6 hours. You’ll want to plan ahead, but the wait is so worth it.

Step 4: Shred and Stir in the Turkey

Once the cooking time is up, the turkey should be fall-apart tender. Remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. I like pulling it apart gently so it stays juicy. Before stirring the shredded turkey back in, pull out the thyme stems to avoid any bitter bits. Mix everything inside the slow cooker so the turkey soaks up that creamy gravy.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Dish it out while it’s hot! I usually pile this over mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles — it’s comfort on a plate. The creamy gravy coats everything just perfectly and every bite feels like a warm hug.

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Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Turkey with Creamy Gravy Recipe

Use Low and Slow: Cooking on low is key for tender turkey that shreds beautifully—avoid the temptation to speed it up with high heat.
Fresh Thyme Over Dried: I discovered fresh thyme makes such a difference in aroma and brightness compared to dried herbs.
Don’t Skip the Shredding: Shredding the turkey lets it soak up all that creamy gravy—I promise it makes each bite richer.
Remove Herb Stems: Leaving thyme stems in the gravy can taste bitter, so pull them out before serving or mixing in the shredded turkey.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Turkey with Creamy Gravy Recipe

The dish is served on a white plate with two main layers: the bottom layer is a thick, creamy mashed potato with a smooth and slightly fluffy texture in pale yellow color, spread evenly across the plate; the top layer consists of chunky pieces of cooked chicken coated in a light brown, glossy gravy, scattered generously over the mashed potatoes. Small green herb leaves are sprinkled over the chicken for decoration. The scene includes a white marbled surface with a soft white and blue striped cloth on the left and a gold fork on the right. In the background, a pale green kitchen appliance and a wooden bowl with cinnamon sticks are visible, slightly blurred for depth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Slow Cooker Turkey with Creamy Gravy, easy turkey with gravy, fall comfort food recipes, moist turkey dinner ideas, slow cooker holiday main dish

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a few fresh thyme leaves on top for a pop of color and that fresh-herb aroma. Sometimes I also add a light drizzle of butter melted on top to make everything even more luscious. It’s simple but makes the plate look so inviting.

Side Dishes

Mashed potatoes are my go-to for soaking up that creamy gravy—classic comfort combo in my book. Besides that, creamy polenta, buttered egg noodles, or even a side of roasted green beans bring a nice balance to the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served the shredded turkey over flaky biscuits with a spoonful of the creamy gravy on top — everyone loves that twist. Or you can turn this into a sandwich filling with some crisp lettuce and cranberry sauce for a fun, casual meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After your meal, store leftovers in airtight containers and keep them refrigerated. I find the shredded turkey actually tastes richer the next day after the flavors meld in the fridge for a few hours.

Freezing

This slow cooker turkey with creamy gravy freezes really well. Portion it out into freezer-safe containers or bags, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. It saves so much time on busy weeknights.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often, to keep the turkey moist and prevent the gravy from separating. You can also microwave it covered in short bursts, stirring in between to keep it even.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in turkey breast for this recipe?

Absolutely! Bone-in will add more flavor but may require a bit longer cooking time. Check the internal temperature to ensure it reaches at least 165°F and shred carefully around the bones.
What if I don’t have cream of chicken soup?

You can substitute with cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup, or make your own simple roux-based white sauce, though the flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Can this recipe be doubled for a larger crowd?

Yes! Just make sure your slow cooker is big enough to accommodate the doubled ingredients and increase cooking time slightly to ensure the turkey is fully cooked and tender.
Is it okay to cook on high instead of low?

While you can cook on high, I recommend low for best tenderness and to prevent the gravy from curdling. If you’re short on time, cook on high for about 3-4 hours but check regularly.

Final Thoughts

My Slow Cooker Turkey with Creamy Gravy Recipe has become my go-to whenever I want a cozy, satisfying meal without fuss or worrying over the stove. The creamy, flavorful gravy combined with tender shredded turkey is the kind of comfort food that feels like a warm hug on a plate. I genuinely hope you give this a try soon—it’s one of those recipes you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again, especially when you want something delicious without the stress. Happy slow cooking!

Slow Cooker Turkey with Creamy Gravy Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 101 reviews

Author: Jasmine
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat

Print Recipe

Description

This Slow Cooker Turkey and Gravy recipe offers an effortless way to prepare tender, juicy turkey breast smothered in rich, flavorful gravy. Perfect for a comforting family meal, the turkey cooks slowly alongside the creamy gravy, resulting in a deliciously moist and savory dish ideal for serving over mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

Turkey and Seasonings

3 lbs. boneless turkey breast
½ tsp. black pepper
¼ tsp. paprika

Gravy Mixture

10.5 oz. can cream of chicken soup
1.41 oz. Pioneer turkey gravy packet (or two 0.87 oz. packets of any other brand)
2 cups chicken broth or chicken stock
3 sprigs fresh thyme

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Turkey: Place the boneless turkey breast inside the slow cooker pot. Evenly sprinkle the turkey with black pepper and paprika to season.
Mix the Gravy: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, turkey gravy packet(s), and chicken broth until well combined to form the gravy mixture.
Combine Ingredients: Pour the prepared gravy mixture evenly over the turkey in the slow cooker. Add the fresh thyme sprigs on top for added aroma and flavor.
Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW heat for 6 hours. The turkey will become tender and easily shreddable after this slow cooking process.
Shred and Mix: Remove the turkey from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Discard the thyme stems before adding the shredded turkey back into the slow cooker. Stir well to coat the turkey with the gravy.
Serve: Serve the turkey and gravy hot, ideally over mashed potatoes for a hearty meal. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

This recipe combines cooking the turkey and gravy simultaneously in the slow cooker, simplifying the process significantly.
For best flavor, remove the fresh thyme stems before serving to avoid tough bits.
Serving over mashed potatoes makes for a classic and comforting presentation.