This Slow Cooker Turkey Crown is an easy way to cook juicy, tender turkey with just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes of preparation. It's perfect for Christmas dinner or a Sunday roast when you need to free up space in the oven for all the trimmings. Plus, the cooking juices make the most incredible homemade gravy!
Every Christmas, our oven is already packed with roast potatoes, stuffing and pigs in blankets, so anything I can cook elsewhere is a bonus. Cooking a turkey crown in the slow cooker means one less thing to juggle, and I don't have to worry about constantly checking the oven.
We use a 2.5kg bone-in turkey crown, which comfortably feeds 8-10 people, depending on portion sizes. It's a great alternative to roasting a whole turkey, particularly for smaller gatherings or when everyone prefers breast meat.
Recipe update: This recipe was originally published on 6 December 2022 and was fully retested in October 2026 to check the cooking time and ingredient quantities. The original recipe still worked well, but I've expanded the instructions, tips and FAQs.
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Jump to:
- Why You'll Love It
- Recipe Overview
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- How to Cook a Turkey Crown in a Slow Cooker
- How Long to Cook Turkey Crown in a Slow Cooker
- What Size Slow Cooker do you Need?
- Do You Need to Add Water to Slow Cooker Turkey Crown?
- How to Get Crispy Skin on Slow Cooker Turkey Crown
- How to Make Turkey Gravy from the Slow Cooker Juices
- What to Serve with Slow Cooker Turkey Crown
- Can you Prepare Slow Cooker Turkey Crown in Advance?
- Storage
- Dannii's Top Tips
- Troubleshooting Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Slow Cooker Recipes
- Recipe
- Feedback
Why You'll Love It
- Frees up oven space - Perfect for Christmas Day when every shelf is needed for the side dishes.
- Just 4 ingredients - Turkey crown, onions, olive oil and seasoning. Nothing complicated!
- Juicy and tender - Slow cooking helps keep the turkey moist, with no need for constant attention.
- Makes amazing gravy - The flavour-packed cooking juices are perfect for homemade turkey gravy.
- Great for smaller gatherings - Enjoy a traditional turkey dinner without cooking a whole bird.
Recipe Overview
- Turkey: 2.5kg (5.5lb) bone-in turkey crown
- Preparation: 5 minutes
- Cooking: 5 hours 30 minutes on HIGH
- Resting: 15-20 minutes
- Total time including resting: Approximately 5 hours 50-55 minutes
- Servings: 8-10, depending on portion sizes
- Equipment: Large 6.5-litre slow cooker
- Best for: Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving and Sunday roasts
- What to expect: Tender, juicy slices of turkey without needing to add stock or water (provided your slow cooker allows this). The skin will be soft rather than crispy, but you can finish it in the oven for 10 minutes if you prefer a golden, crispy finish.
The timings are based on our tested 2.5kg bone-in turkey crown. Smaller or boneless joints may cook more quickly.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Turkey crown - We used a 2.5kg (5.5lb) bone-in turkey crown, which just fitted into our 6.5-litre slow cooker. A turkey crown is the breast of the turkey still attached to the bone, with the legs removed. You can use a smaller crown, but the cooking time will need adjusting. If using frozen turkey, make sure it is completely defrosted first.
- Onions - Two large onions, halved, create a base for the turkey to sit on, lifting it above the cooking juices. They also add flavour to the gravy. You could add some large chunks of carrot or celery too.
- Olive oil - Helps the seasoning coat the skin and adds flavour. You can use melted butter instead for a richer finish.
- Chicken seasoning - We used a ready-made roast chicken seasoning blend containing garlic, paprika, dried herbs, salt and pepper. The paprika helps give the turkey a golden colour. You can use your favourite poultry seasoning or make your own blend of dried herbs, garlic granules and paprika. Check whether your seasoning contains salt before adding extra.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Cook a Turkey Crown in a Slow Cooker
- Make the seasoned oil: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil and chicken seasoning until well mixed.
- Make the base Place the halved onions, cut-side down, in the bottom of your slow cooker. These create a base for the turkey to sit on.
- Add the turkey: Place the fully defrosted turkey crown on top of the onions, breast-side up. Pour over the seasoned oil and rub it all over the skin, making sure the turkey is evenly coated.
- Cook the turkey: Put the lid on and cook on HIGH for approximately 5 hours 30 minutes, until the thickest part of the breast reaches 75°C for 30 seconds. You can baste the turkey up to twice during cooking, although avoid lifting the lid unnecessarily.
- Rest the turkey: Carefully lift the cooked turkey crown onto a chopping board or serving platter. Cover loosely with foil and leave to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
⚠️ Important: Cooking times are a guide. Always check the thickest part of the breast with a meat thermometer, avoiding the bone. Do not rely on cooking time alone.
How Long to Cook Turkey Crown in a Slow Cooker
The cooking time will depend on the weight of your turkey crown, whether it is bone-in or boneless, and the size and model of your slow cooker.
Our 2.5kg bone-in turkey crown took approximately 5 hours 30 minutes on HIGH.
The following are approximate planning guides for different weights, not separately tested cooking times for this recipe.
| Turkey crown weight | Approximate cooking time on HIGH |
|---|---|
| 1-1.5kg / 2lb 3oz - 3lb 4oz | Around 4 hours |
| 2kg / 4lb 6oz | Around 4½-5½ hours |
| 2.5kg / 5lb 8oz | Around 5½ hours (our tested recipe) |
| 3kg / 6lb 10oz | Around 5½-6½ hours, if it fits safely |
Start checking the internal temperature towards the earlier end of the suggested cooking time. A smaller boneless joint may cook more quickly than a large bone-in crown.
The turkey should reach 75°C (167°F) for 30 seconds in the thickest part of the meat. The centre should also be piping hot, with no pink meat and clear juices.
What Size Slow Cooker do you Need?
You need a slow cooker large enough for the turkey crown to fit comfortably with the lid fully closed. We used a 6.5-litre slow cooker for our 2.5kg crown and it only just fitted.
The shape of the slow cooker matters just as much as the capacity. An oval slow cooker will usually accommodate a turkey crown more easily than a round one.
If your slow cooker is smaller, choose a smaller turkey crown rather than trying to squeeze a large one inside. Never cook with the lid propped open.
💡 My tip: Before buying your turkey, check the dimensions of your slow cooker bowl, especially the height. Two turkey crowns of the same weight can be quite different shapes.
Do You Need to Add Water to Slow Cooker Turkey Crown?
No additional water or stock is needed for our recipe, provided your slow cooker is suitable for cooking without added liquid.
The turkey sits on top of the onions and releases juices as it cooks. These collect at the bottom of the slow cooker and are perfect for making gravy.
You don't need to submerge the turkey in liquid. In fact, keeping it raised on the onions stops it from sitting directly in the cooking juices.
Some slow cooker recipes use chicken stock or wine, but we've kept ours simple with just four ingredients. If your slow cooker manufacturer's instructions require a minimum amount of liquid, follow those instructions.
How to Get Crispy Skin on Slow Cooker Turkey Crown
The one thing a slow cooker won't do is give you properly crispy turkey skin. The moist cooking environment means the skin stays soft, although the paprika in our seasoning gives it some colour.
If you want crispy, golden skin, it's easy to finish the turkey in the oven.
Once the turkey is cooked through, carefully transfer it to a roasting tray. Brush the skin lightly with olive oil or melted butter and put it into a preheated oven at 200°C/180°C fan/400°F/Gas 6 for approximately 10 minutes, watching closely until the skin is golden.
You can also use the grill for a few minutes, keeping a close eye on it.
This step is completely optional. If your oven is already full of Christmas dinner sides, skip it. The turkey will still taste delicious, even without crispy skin.
Allow the turkey to rest before carving.
How to Make Turkey Gravy from the Slow Cooker Juices
One of my favourite things about cooking turkey crown in the slow cooker is the gravy.
As the turkey cooks, the juices mix with the flavour from the onions and seasoning, creating a delicious base for homemade gravy. Don't throw any of it away!
Ingredients
- Up to 500ml turkey cooking juices (top up with chicken stock if needed)
- Up to 40g plain flour
- 75ml cold water
- Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Method
- Remove the cooked turkey and onions from the slow cooker. Carefully pour the cooking juices through a sieve into a jug and skim off any excess fat.
- Measure up to 500ml of the juices, adding a little chicken stock if you need more liquid.
- In a small bowl, mix the flour and cold water until smooth and lump-free.
- Pour the cooking juices into a saucepan and bring to a gentle boil.
- Gradually whisk in the flour mixture, a little at a time, until the gravy reaches your preferred thickness. You may not need all of it.
- Simmer for around 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the flour has cooked through. Add some chopped fresh rosemary or thyme and season to taste.
If your gravy is too thick, add a splash of stock or water. If it's too thin, simmer it a little longer.
Taste it before adding salt, especially if you've used a seasoned turkey crown or a salty chicken seasoning blend.
You can also use the turkey juices to add extra flavour to our easy onion gravy.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Turkey Crown
For me, the side dishes are just as important as the turkey when it comes to Christmas dinner. I love a plate piled high with crispy roast potatoes, vegetables, stuffing and plenty of gravy.
The best thing about making turkey in the slow cooker is having the oven free for everything else. Here are some of our favourite recipes to serve alongside it.
Potatoes
You can't have a proper roast dinner without potatoes! Our easy roast potatoes and duck fat potatoes are both lovely and crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle.
If you need to save even more oven space, try our air fryer roast potatoes or slow cooker roast potatoes if you have a second slow cooker available.
Our make ahead mashed potatoes are another great option for getting ahead of Christmas Day preparations.
Vegetables
For something colourful on your Christmas dinner plate, try our slow cooker red cabbage. It's one of those sides that tastes even better when made in advance.
Our honey roasted parsnips are always a favourite, along with creamy broccoli cheese.
For Brussels sprouts, we love our air fryer Brussels sprouts. If your air fryer is already busy, you could make our slow cooker Brussels sprouts in a second slow cooker or use our quick microwave Brussels sprouts recipe.
Christmas Dinner Trimmings
You can't go wrong with our homemade sage and onion stuffing, and our air fryer pigs in blankets are perfect for keeping the oven free.
Don't forget some homemade bread sauce and cranberry sauce to finish off your Christmas dinner.
For more ideas, take a look at our Christmas Dinner Meal Plan with plenty of make-ahead recipes and time-saving tips.
Can you Prepare Slow Cooker Turkey Crown in Advance?
There are a few things you can do to make Christmas morning less hectic.
The day before, check that your turkey is completely defrosted and fits in your slow cooker. You can also measure out the seasoning and prepare the onions, storing everything separately in the fridge where appropriate.
I like having as much of the Christmas dinner preparation done as possible the night before. Even little jobs make a difference when there is so much going on in the kitchen.
For the best texture, cook the turkey fresh on the day and allow enough time for it to rest before carving.
If you need to cook it completely in advance, cool it quickly, refrigerate it and reheat it thoroughly before serving, following the storage guidance below.
Storage
Store: Allow leftover turkey to cool quickly and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Remove the meat from the bone and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 48 hours.
Freeze: Cooked turkey freezes well. Divide it into portions, wrap or seal in freezer-safe containers and freeze promptly. For the best quality, use within 2 months. Adding a little gravy or cooking juice can help prevent the slices from drying out.
Defrost: Defrost frozen cooked turkey thoroughly in the fridge. Once defrosted, eat within 24 hours.
Reheat: Place the sliced turkey in an ovenproof dish with a little gravy or stock. Cover and heat until steaming hot all the way through. You can also reheat smaller portions in the microwave, checking that there are no cold spots. Only reheat leftovers once.
Leftovers: Leftover turkey is one of the best things about Christmas dinner! Check out the following leftover turkey recipes:
Dannii's Top Tips
- Fully defrost the turkey - Never put a frozen turkey crown straight into the slow cooker. Follow the packaging instructions and defrost it in the fridge.
- Check the size before buying - Our 2.5kg crown only just fitted into our 6.5-litre slow cooker. Check the lid closes completely.
- Use a meat thermometer - This is the easiest way to know when your turkey is safely cooked, rather than relying entirely on the timer. Turkey is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 75°C (167°F)
- Don't overcook it - Turkey breast is lean and can become dry if cooked for too long. Start checking the temperature before the expected finishing time.
- Keep the lid closed - Opening the slow cooker releases heat and can extend the cooking time. Baste no more than twice, if at all.
- Use the onions as a base - They keep the turkey raised above the cooking juices and add flavour to the gravy.
- Try butter instead of oil - Melted butter adds a lovely rich flavour, particularly for Christmas dinner.
- Add bacon - Lay a few rashers of streaky bacon over the turkey for extra flavour. The bacon won't become crispy in the slow cooker, but you can finish it under the grill if you prefer.
- Make your own seasoning - Dried thyme, rosemary, garlic granules and paprika all work well. Check how much salt your seasoning contains.
- Don't forget to rest it - Allow 15-20 minutes before carving so the meat is easier to slice and retains more of its juices.
- Save the cooking juices - Even if you're not making homemade gravy, you can add them to shop-bought gravy for extra flavour.
- Cook stuffing separately - Don't pack stuffing inside the turkey crown, as it can prevent even cooking.
- Carve across the grain - Remove each breast from the bone and slice across the grain for more tender portions.
Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey is taking longer than expected | Cooking times vary depending on the weight of the turkey and your slow cooker. | Check the thickest part of the breast with a meat thermometer, avoiding the bone. Continue cooking on HIGH until it reaches 75°C for 30 seconds. Don't use KEEP WARM to finish cooking. |
| Turkey is dry | Turkey breast is naturally lean and can dry out if overcooked. | Serve with cooking juices or gravy to add moisture. Next time, start checking the internal temperature earlier. |
| Skin isn't crispy | Slow cookers use moist heat, which keeps the skin soft. | Transfer the cooked turkey to a hot oven for around 10 minutes or finish briefly under the grill before resting. |
| Not enough liquid for gravy | Some turkey crowns release less juice than others. | Top up the cooking juices with chicken stock to make enough gravy. Taste before adding extra salt. |
| Gravy is too thin | The cooking juices haven't thickened enough. | Simmer for longer or gradually whisk in more flour mixed with cold water, allowing it to cook through. |
| Gravy is too salty | The turkey seasoning or stock contains too much salt. | Add a little unsalted chicken stock or water to dilute the gravy. |
| Turkey crown doesn't fit | The crown is too large or the wrong shape for your slow cooker. | Never force it in or leave the lid open. Choose a smaller crown or cook it in the oven instead. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use a boneless turkey breast joint. However, it may cook more quickly than a bone-in crown of the same weight. Check the internal temperature regularly towards the end of cooking.
No. The turkey crown must be completely defrosted before slow cooking to avoid uneven cooking and food safety risks.
As a rough guide, allow around 10-12 hours per kilogram to defrost in the fridge, although it may take longer. A 2.5kg crown could need at least 25-30 hours, so give yourself extra time and always follow the packaging instructions.
Keep the turkey covered on the bottom shelf of the fridge, in a container to catch any juices.
You can use the LOW setting if your appliance is suitable, but we have tested this particular recipe on HIGH for 5 hours 30 minutes.
Cooking on LOW will take longer, and there isn't one reliable conversion that works for every slow cooker and turkey crown size. Follow your appliance guidance and use a thermometer to confirm that the turkey is fully cooked.
The most important thing is not to overcook it. Slow cooking helps retain moisture, but turkey breast can still become dry if left cooking for too long.
Use a meat thermometer and remove the turkey once it has reached a safe internal temperature. Rest it before carving and serve with some of the cooking juices or gravy.
Yes. You can add large chunks of carrot or celery underneath the turkey alongside the onions.
Bear in mind that these vegetables will be soft and cooked in the juices rather than crispy and roasted. For crispy parsnips and potatoes, it's better to cook them separately.
I recommend cooking stuffing separately rather than inside the turkey crown. This helps the turkey cook evenly and makes it easier to check that everything has reached a safe temperature.
Not necessarily. We basted ours twice during cooking, but slow cookers retain moisture, so constant basting isn't needed. Avoid repeatedly opening the lid, as this causes heat loss.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
If you've tried this crock pot turkey recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy and use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Turkey Crown
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of Chicken seasoning
- 2 Onions - large; halved
- 2 ½ kg (5 ½ lb) of Turkey crown
Instructions
- Make the seasoned oil: In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of Olive oil and 2 tablespoons of Chicken seasoning until well mixed.
- Make the base Place 2 Onions (halved), cut-side down, in the bottom of your slow cooker. These create a base for the turkey to sit on.
- Add the turkey: Place the fully defrosted 2 ½ kg of Turkey crown on top of the onions, breast-side up. Pour over the seasoned oil and rub it all over the skin, making sure the turkey is evenly coated.
- Cook the turkey: Put the lid on and cook on HIGH for approximately 5 hours 30 minutes, until the thickest part of the breast reaches 75°C for 30 seconds.
- Rest the turkey: Carefully lift the cooked turkey crown onto a chopping board or serving platter. Cover loosely with foil and leave to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
- Optional crispy skin: Transfer the cooked turkey crown to a roasting tray and brush with a little melted butter or olive oil. Cook at 200°C/180°C fan/400°F/Gas 6 for approximately 10 minutes until golden, then rest before carving.
Recipe Notes
- Fully defrost the turkey - Never put a frozen turkey crown straight into the slow cooker. Follow the packaging instructions and defrost it in the fridge.
- Check the size before buying - Our 2.5kg crown only just fitted into our 6.5-litre slow cooker. Check the lid closes completely.
- Use a meat thermometer - This is the easiest way to know when your turkey is safely cooked, rather than relying entirely on the timer. Turkey is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 75°C (167°F)
- Don't overcook it - Turkey breast is lean and can become dry if cooked for too long. Start checking the temperature before the expected finishing time.
- Keep the lid closed - Opening the slow cooker releases heat and can extend the cooking time. Baste no more than twice, if at all.
- Use the onions as a base - They keep the turkey raised above the cooking juices and add flavour to the gravy.
- Try butter instead of oil - Melted butter adds a lovely rich flavour, particularly for Christmas dinner.
- Add bacon - Lay a few rashers of streaky bacon over the turkey for extra flavour. The bacon won't become crispy in the slow cooker, but you can finish it under the grill if you prefer.
- Make your own seasoning - Dried thyme, rosemary, garlic granules and paprika all work well. Check how much salt your seasoning contains.
- Don't forget to rest it - Allow 15-20 minutes before carving so the meat is easier to slice and retains more of its juices.
- Save the cooking juices - Even if you're not making homemade gravy, you can add them to shop-bought gravy for extra flavour.
- Cook stuffing separately - Don't pack stuffing inside the turkey crown, as it can prevent even cooking.
- Carve across the grain - Remove each breast from the bone and slice across the grain for more tender portions.
Nutritional Information
Where nutritional information is provided, it is approximate and calculated using online tools. Values can vary depending on the ingredients and brands used, but we endeavour to be as accurate as possible.
All timings are a guide and may vary depending on the ingredients, equipment and, where relevant, the appliance used. Changing the serving size may also affect the time needed.
Priya Srinivasan says
Slow cooking does bring out great flavors in the dish! turkey crown looks fab! Wonderful share!
Toni says
Thank you so much for this recipe! It turned out really amazing!
Tayler says
This is the second time we've made this turkey and it was just as delicious the second time. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Tara says
Oh wow! This turkey looks fantastic. You had me at easy and hands off. Definitely perfect for the holidays.
Ned says
This is simply perfect! Juicy with simple ingredients. Thank you!
Tayler says
I made this turkey over the weekend and it turned out perfectly! So juicy and moist!
Nikki says
This is a fantastic way to make a turkey crown. I love the seasonings used and that you used the juices for the gravy.
Anjali says
Love this recipe!! We are able to make perfectly cooked turkey every time with it!
Vanessa says
Such a great way to keep the oven free for all the sides!
Alison Saalbach Corey says
Fabulous Recipe!!! Thank you for sharing!