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Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

Slow Cooker Deli Turkey

By: Kathryn Doherty | Last Updated: Mar 10, 2025 | Published: Nov 5, 2015
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Slow cooker deli turkey takes just 10 minutes to prep and yields tender, juicy, well seasoned turkey breasts that are perfect for slicing for sandwiches. It's a great way to ditch the processed store-bought stuff and make your own!

Close up of a boneless turkey breast on a cutting board with some slices carved out.


 

I make homemade turkey breasts every couple of weeks or so to use for lunches, instead of buying the processed stuff.

It started when I was pregnant. You're not supposed to eat deli turkey when you're pregnant and as a health and nutrition editor, I also knew about the concern over nitrates and nitrites.

I was on a serious turkey sandwich kick at the time and didn't want to give it up. So I found a way to make healthy turkey, deli-style, at home.

And it couldn’t be easier!

We're using frozen boneless turkey breasts, putting them in the slow cooker, sprinkling the tops with a delicious seasoning mix and voila, beautifully moist and flavorful turkey.

Made at home. With no weird additives.

And it only takes 10 minutes to prep!

You can throw these in the crock pot any time you have a minute to meal prep and you'll be stocked for the week!

Plus, there's no basting. No oven going for hours at a time keeping you tied to the kitchen. No fuss at all.

(You might also want to check out my rotisserie style roast chicken if you want to try a homemade version of that grocery staple.)

So let’s get cooking!

Two butterball boneless turkey breasts in bags sitting beside a slow cooker.
Halved boneless turkey breasts in a slow cooker with seasonings sprinkled on top, before being cooked.
A sliced boneless deli turkey on a cutting board with a slow cooker and sandwich fixings in the background.

Now, I’ve got some notes and tips coming up below on how to make deli turkey at home. Just tryin’ to be helpful.

If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.

Ingredient Notes:

  • Turkey: I buy frozen boneless Butterball turkey breasts, which are 3 pounds each. Any brand will do. Be sure to remove the skin and any excess fat. (You also won't need the gravy packet.)
  • Seasoning: I use a homemade Cajun seasoning mix (Emeril's recipe) but you can use any seasoning you like: southwestern, Italian, a simple mix of salt, pepper and garlic powder. Sky is the limit. You can even change it up and never be bored!
  • Liquid: No liquid is needed for this recipe. The turkey will cook perfectly well in a dry slow cooker without any. (But the cooking process will release some liquid and there will be some to discard when you remove the turkey.)
A boneless turkey breast on a cutting board with some slices carved out.

Tips and Tricks:

  • Partially thaw your turkey breasts. I place the frozen turkey breasts in the fridge for 1 ½ to 2 days to thaw slightly. They are still a tad bit frozen and cook up perfectly and hold together well for slicing.
  • Double up. The recipe below calls for using 2 frozen turkey breasts. I also cook two at once. I figure, while I'm at it...
  • Season heavily. You'll need up to 2 tablespoons of seasoning for the two turkey breasts. It may seem like a lot, but you want the tops well covered so the flavor permeates the entire slice of turkey when you cut them.
  • Let the turkey cool completely. They set up and hold together better for slicing once they are completely cooled. So be patient, plan ahead and let them cool.

By the way, if your turkey breasts are completely thawed, they will still work with the instructions below. They just fall apart more once cooked and you may end up with strips of turkey instead of being able to slice it well.

Also, see the photo above a little showing the prep? It looks like I've got 4 turkey breasts nestled in my slow cooker insert. Nope, just 2 that each fell apart in the middle when I unpacked them.

That usually happens. Sometimes they stay together whole but more often, they split in two. No worries, they cook up perfectly and make large beautiful slices for your sandwich needs.

An open faced turkey sandwich on a white plate set on green napkins.

By the way, this method is so easy and so fool-proof, I've perfected making our Thanksgiving turkey with this bone-in slow cooker turkey breast. It comes out perfectly cooked every time, no undercooked or overcooked turkey for us. Whew.

Stress-free is so my style for the holidays!

I've also made this spinach and mushroom stuffed turkey breast, which is super delicious. Just gotta try it in the slow cooker now...

OK, back to the deli turkey at hand.

Storage Tips:

  • Let the turkey breasts cool completely at room temperature before packing them up.
  • Slice as much turkey as you want for the week, then place in a covered container or ziplock bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5-6 days.
  • You can also freeze the extra cooked deli turkey. Slice (or leave the breasts whole) and place in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Label and date it. Freeze for up to 5 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then slice and use.

Making two breasts each time means I can get 2-3 weeks worth of turkey for at least a couple of people eating on them regularly.

Thick sliced turkey breast layered on a sandwich with spinach underneath and bowls of pickles and mustard in the background.

And then you've got turkey that's ready to use for sandwiches. Or wraps. Or salads. Sometimes even paninis or quesadillas or soups. It's so nice having protein ready to go.

Simple. Healthy. Delicious.

Go get your homemade deli turkey on.

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

P.S. If you want to see me talk about and prep this recipe at all stages, check out my Facebook Live video!

A sliced boneless deli turkey on a cutting board with a slow cooker and sandwich fixings in the background.
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2.73 from 114 votes

Slow Cooker Deli Turkey

Easy, hands-off, healthy homemade deli turkey - ditch the processed stuff!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time4 hours hrs
Total Time4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Yield: 8 cups chopped (or 14-16 sandwiches)

Ingredients

  • 2 (3 lb.) frozen boneless turkey breasts, slightly defrosted (see notes)
  • 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons preferred seasoning mix, homemade or store bought (see notes)

Instructions

  • Prepare the turkey breasts. Remove from all packaging (discarding the gravy mix) and use a knife to remove the layer of skin and fat. Place turkey breasts into slow cooker. (If your turkey breast has fallen apart into two halves when you unpack it, no worries, it will work just fine that way, too.)
  • Sprinkle seasoning generously all over the tops of the turkey breasts in the slow cooker.
  • Cover with the lid and turn the slow cooker on. Cook on high for 4 to 4 ½ hours.
  • Remove the cooked turkey and let cool completely before slicing and storing.

Notes

Turkey: I buy frozen boneless Butterball turkey breasts, which are 3 pounds each. Any brand will do. (See below on thawing.)
Seasoning: I use a homemade Cajun seasoning mix (Emeril's recipe) but you can use any seasoning you like: southwestern, Italian, a simple mix of salt, pepper and garlic powder. Sky is the limit - change it up and never be bored!
No liquids are needed to cook the turkey, but some will be released as it cooks. Just lift the turkey breasts out when the cook time is done and discard any liquids.

Tips and Tricks:

  • Partially thaw your turkey breasts. I place the frozen turkey breasts in the fridge for 1 ½ to 2 days to thaw slightly. They are still a tad bit frozen and cook up perfectly and hold together well for slicing. (If yours is completely thawed, that's OK. It'll cook perfectly but might be harder to slice well.)
  • Double up. The recipe calls for using 2 frozen turkey breasts. I also cook two at once. I figure, while I'm at it...
  • Season heavily. You'll need up to 2 tablespoons of seasoning for the two turkey breasts. It may seem like a lot, but you want the tops well covered so the flavor permeates the entire slice of turkey when you cut them.
  • Let the turkey cool completely. They set up and hold together better for slicing once they are completely cooled. So be patient, plan ahead and let them cool.

Storage Tips:

  • Once completely cooled, slice as much turkey as you want for the week, then place in a covered container or ziplock bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5-6 days.
  • You can also freeze the extra cooked deli turkey. Slice (or leave the breasts whole) and place in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Label and date it. Freeze for up to 5 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then slice and use.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 28kcal | Protein: 4g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 663mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram @familyfoodonthetable and tag me in your photo!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim@Kim's Cravings

    November 05, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    this is a fabulous idea and would be great to have meat on hand for the week!!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      November 06, 2015 at 4:25 pm

      Yes! We definitely use it for more than just sandwiches - always nice to have something prepped and ready to go! Thanks for stopping by, Kim!

      Reply
  2. Liz - Meal Makeover Mom

    November 06, 2015 at 7:14 am

    So clever. I love this technique! pinning now 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      November 06, 2015 at 4:26 pm

      Thanks Liz! It's so super easy and you just can't beat homemade 😉

      Reply
  3. Carlee

    November 06, 2015 at 9:51 am

    What a great idea! I definitely need to do this. My husband goes through a lot of lunch meat and I'd rather cut back on the processed stuff!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      November 06, 2015 at 4:21 pm

      Carlee, you gotta try it! It's so super easy and the flavor is awesome. Plus, none of the weird preservatives and junk. You'll both be hooked 🙂

      Reply
  4. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    November 06, 2015 at 10:37 am

    Oh my gawsh, I make my own deli turkey too, but I am clearly doing it the HARD way because I use the oven! I have never seen or thought of doing it in the slow cooker, Kathryn!!! This is beyond awesome, and seriously genius! I can't wait to try this! Like, I am totally doing this over the weekend! YAY! Pinned! Cheers, my dear - to a fabulous weekend! XO

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      November 06, 2015 at 4:27 pm

      I knew you'd be with me on the homemade deli turkey, Cheyanne! Nothing wrong with oven roasting but this is a great hands-off alternative 😉 Have a great weekend and feel better! XO

      Reply
  5. Lucy @ Bake Play Smile

    November 19, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    Turkey is my fave!!! And this one looks great! I've never slow cooked a turkey before... must do that! Thanks for linking up with our Fabulous Foodie Fridays party xx

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      November 20, 2015 at 5:50 am

      We love turkey around here, too, and this makes it so easy to have our own homemade turkey on hand all the time. Hope you give it a try - you'll never go back! Happy weekend! XO

      Reply
    • Janine Marshall

      February 25, 2024 at 10:31 pm

      I’m pretty sure the “natural flavors” listed in the Butterball ingredient list contains celery juice which is nitrates so this is no healthier than deli meat.

      Reply
      • Kathryn Doherty

        February 26, 2024 at 11:08 am

        So true on the celery juice! Many leafy and root vegetables naturally contain nitrates and nitrates, which I do not find problematic; and they are actually helpful for us. I love my veggies! The problem with some deli meats is the amount of processing as well as the process by which some of the nitrates transform into nitrosamines, which are a carcinogen. So lots of exposure over long periods of time can be bad.
        Here's a really great, thorough, easy-to-read article with more info if you're interested: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/preservatives-exploring-nitrate-nitrite-safety

        Reply
  6. Marina

    September 24, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    How long is this good for (in the fridge of course) after cooking?

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      September 24, 2016 at 6:50 pm

      Hi Marina! It keeps for up to 5 days in the fridge. Maybe a full week - we usually go through it faster than that though! And if you have extra, you can always freeze it for another week.

      Reply
  7. KJML

    May 01, 2024 at 3:10 pm

    Hi. I have a whole bone-in turkey breast in my freezer. Can I make that work, any idea how long to cook?

    Reply
    • Kathryn Doherty

      May 02, 2024 at 1:34 pm

      Yes! I do this for Thanksgiving every year and it's foolproof and SO yummy! Here's the full recipe and instructions: https://www.familyfoodonthetable.com/slow-cooker-turkey-breast-bone-in/
      Also, you could always combine these two recipes if you want to season it more like the deli turkey here. Hope that helps!

      Reply
2.73 from 114 votes (114 ratings without comment)

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Meet Kathryn

Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a cookbook author, mom of two, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes to help you get delicious food on the table for your family!

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