Effortless Allergy-Friendly Crock Pot Turkey Breast with Blender Gravy: Your Stress-Free Thanksgiving Solution

Prepare to experience the easiest, most flavorful, and incredibly tender turkey you’ve ever made. Thanks to the magic of the crock pot (or slow cooker, as some call it!) and a thoughtful blend of seasonings, this recipe delivers not just the perfect main dish for your Thanksgiving feast, but also yields the most amazing juices that transform into a simple yet utterly delicious blender onion mushroom gravy. Forget the traditional turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy that often rely on flour and butter; our Crock Pot Herb Turkey Breast with Blender Onion Mushroom Gravy proudly uses none of these. This means it’s completely grain-free, paleo, and Whole30 approved!

What’s more, this recipe is a true friend to those with dietary restrictions. It’s naturally free of common allergens including gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts. Navigating a food-centric holiday with dietary concerns has never been simpler or more delicious! (And did we mention the gravy contains hidden vegetables? That’s a win in our book!)

For many, cooking a Thanksgiving turkey is a significant culinary milestone, a true marker of adulthood. However, the thought of wrestling with a massive bird, battling a bone-filled carcass, and monopolizing the oven for an entire day has often deterred me. The sheer scale and complexity seemed overwhelming, especially since I’m not particularly fond of dark meat and prefer a simpler approach.

My aversion to the traditional turkey challenge led me to explore alternative methods, and that’s when I rediscovered my trusty kitchen companion: the slow cooker. Given that our family gatherings aren’t typically huge crowds, a bone-in turkey breast proved to be the perfect solution. A turkey breast usually serves a moderate group of 4-5 adults and several children comfortably, making it ideal for smaller, more intimate holiday meals without excessive leftovers or fuss.

Once I decided on the slow cooker method, the next hurdle was seasoning. Most traditional turkey recipes call for rubbing the bird generously with butter to achieve that golden, crispy skin and infuse flavor. In our dairy-free household, this was clearly not an option. I needed a way to impart rich, savory flavors without relying on butter or other common allergens.

Another significant challenge was the gravy. The typical method for thickening gravy involves flour, which is a definite no-go for our wheat and gluten-free dietary needs. How could I achieve that classic, silky-smooth gravy consistency without using any grains?

This ingenious recipe truly answers all those pressing food allergy questions for Thanksgiving, transforming what once seemed like an insurmountable culinary puzzle into a delightful and stress-free experience. Seriously, it’s been a lifesaver, and I genuinely believe I’ll never prepare turkey another way. The fact that it provides a succulent turkey, perfectly cooked carrots, and an exquisite gravy all from one easy recipe means I’m completely devoted to this slow cooker turkey method. My allegiance is sworn, and there’s no turning back!

Think about it: instead of cooking your turkey in a large, often dry, circulating-heat oven, you’re slow-simmering it in a smaller, enclosed dish. This allows the delicious juices to nearly engulf the turkey breast, creating an incredibly moist and tender result as it cooks slowly in its own savory goodness. The herbs and seasonings infuse deeply into the meat, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor, far surpassing the often-dry texture of oven-roasted turkey.

A small word of caution: ensure your turkey breast fits comfortably within your slow cooker. I personally use a large 6-quart model, so if you only have a smaller crock pot, you might consider investing in a larger one, especially if you plan to include vegetables in the pot as well. And, as with all turkey preparations, make sure your turkey breast is completely thawed in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before you begin cooking it in the crock pot. Proper thawing is crucial for even cooking and food safety.

Now, let’s talk about that gravy you’re so curious about – how do you achieve a rich, thick gravy without any grains? The simple, yet brilliant, answer lies in using vegetables as your natural thickener. This not only makes the gravy healthier (allowing you to generously ladle it over your mashed potatoes without guilt!) but also enhances its flavor significantly. Instead of using tasteless flour, this recipe leverages the naturally sweet and savory flavors of onions and mushrooms that have slow-cooked alongside the turkey, absorbing all those incredible juices and herbs. When blended, these vegetables create a velvety-smooth, deeply flavorful gravy that’s entirely grain-free and incredibly delicious.

To complete your allergy-friendly Thanksgiving feast, simply whip up my dairy-free garlic & parsley mashed potatoes. With the turkey, gravy, carrots, and mashed potatoes prepared so easily, you’ll find that most of your holiday meal is effortlessly taken care of, leaving you more time to enjoy with loved ones.

In fact, this crock pot turkey is so good and so straightforward, I often find myself making this “mini Thanksgiving” several times throughout the year. There’s no reason to restrict such a delightful meal to just one holiday. Since it doesn’t demand an entire day of slaving in the kitchen, and clean-up is surprisingly minimal, I don’t mind preparing it more often. A delicious spread of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and carrots makes for an incredibly satisfying Sunday feast – or simply a wonderful weeknight dinner, for that matter!

My sincere hope is that this crock pot turkey recipe empowers many individuals with food allergies to enjoy a delicious, yet still wonderfully traditional, meal on Thanksgiving and beyond. If you’re hosting guests with dietary restrictions this holiday season, this recipe is so simple that you can confidently serve it to everyone, or easily prepare it in a separate crock pot without adding much extra work or stress to your day. It’s all about inclusivity and making sure everyone can enjoy the joy of a shared meal.

Wishing you all a truly wonderful Thanksgiving. I am incredibly thankful for all the online friends and community I’ve built through this blog. Every single click, every share, and every comment means the world to me and keeps this platform thriving. Please be sure to share this invaluable crock pot turkey recipe with anyone you think it might help!

*Did you know I have an ENTIRE THANKSGIVING MENU designed just for you? Explore and find the complete allergy-friendly Thanksgiving menu here.*

Crock Pot Herb Turkey Breast with Blender Onion Mushroom Gravy (Allergy-friendly!)

Yield:
5-7

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
7 hours

Total Time:
7 hours 15 minutes

The easiest, most flavorful, tender turkey you’ll ever make. Thanks to the crock pot and generous seasonings this not only makes the main dish for your Thanksgiving, but the amazing juices make the easiest and most amazing gravy. While the typical turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy usually have flour and butter–my Crock Pot Herb Turkey Breast with Blender Onion Mushroom Gravy uses none of these! This is grain free, paleo and whole30 approved! Not to mention it’s allergy-friendly since it’s naturally free of: gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nuts. Feeding someone with dietary restrictions on a food-centric holiday has never been easier! (And did I mention the gravy has hidden vegetables? WINNING.)

Ingredients

• One (4-6 pounds) bone-in turkey breast completely thawed (remember to do this ahead of time!)
• 2 yellow onions, chopped roughly
• 1 package of baby carrots
• 1 package of mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup chicken broth (or 1 cup water + 2 teaspoons allergy-friendly bouillon
• 5 Tablespoons olive oil
• SEASONINGS:
• 1 Tablespoon dried minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt (regular works too if you can’t have the additional spices)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• Meat thermometer
• Blender
• Dairy-free garlic parsley mashed potatoes

Instructions

1. Be sure to thaw your turkey completely before cooking. This can take 1-2 days depending on the size.
2. Cut the skin off the turkey. This is important because the skin doesn’t crisp like it does in the oven, and that way the herbs can be applied directly to the meat.
3. In your slow cooker, place the carrots, onion, broth and mushrooms in the bottom. Next, place your turkey on top of the vegetables, breast side up. Pour the olive oil over the top of the turkey.
4. In a small bowl, combine your spices. Pour the combined spices all over the top of your turkey.
5. Place the lid and cook on the high setting for 1 hour and then the low setting for 5-7 hours, or until the thickest part of the breast reaches at least 165 degrees F. (It’s really worth investing in a meat thermometer, you don’t want to chance getting your guests sick.) Note that not all slow cookers cook at the same temperature, so it’s better to start this earlier than needed, just in case it needs more cooking time so your dinner is waiting on it.)
6. When the turkey is almost done, make the dairy-free mashed potatoes.
7. When the turkey is done, remove it to a serving platter. Arrange the carrots around it.
8. Take the juices, onions and mushrooms and place in your blender. Blend until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour into a gravy dish and serve. If this is thinner than you would like, take 2-3 Tablespoons of cornstarch and mix it with 1/3 cup water. Once that is stirred together, add that and the gravy to a pot over medium heat. Heat until bubbling, then allow to cool for several minutes. It will thicken as it cools.
9. Serve the turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes while hot. Be sure to refrigerate any leftovers.
10. NEED MORE THANKSGIVING IDEAS? I HAVE AN ENTIRE MENU HERE: https://allergyawesomeness.com/the-complete-meal-plan-for-thanksgiving-with-food-allergies/
11. Do you want to cut down drastically on the cook time (I’m talking around an hour!) Then, see how to make it in the instant pot, in my cookbook: An Allergy Mom’s Lifesaving Instant Pot Cookbook. It has 60 recipes that are all top-8-free, and are made in the instant pot for ease and quick clean up.

Notes

Adapted from: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

DON’T FORGET TO PIN THIS, SO YOU DON’T LOSE IT! ALSO, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER ALLERGY-FRIENDLY PINTEREST BOARDS.

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Looking for other easy side dishes to perfectly complement your allergy-friendly Thanksgiving meal? Explore these fantastic options:

Asparagus with Bacon and Red Onion Vinaigrette (GF, DF, egg, soy, peanut & tree nut free; top-8-free)

Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts with Craisins (GF, DF, Egg, Soy, Peanut/Tree nut Free, Top 8 Free, Vegan)

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole (GF, DF, Top 8 Free, Vegan option)

The BEST Top 8 Free Cornbread (GF, Vegan)

For a complete allergy-friendly Thanksgiving meal plan (including delectable pies!), be sure to check out this comprehensive post that has everything covered: The Complete Thanksgiving Meal Plan for Thanksgiving with Food Allergies.