The Absolute BEST Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

2 weeks ago 8

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Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is the perfect way to get tender, juicy turkey with a fraction of the prep but all the flavor. Let the slow cooker do ALL the work!

Overhead shot of slow cooker turkey breast.

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredible Flavor: Because this cooks all day in a slow cooker, all the flavors meld into the juicy turkey meat, creating a tender, delicoius turkey!
Convenient: Using the slow cooker for your turkey frees up the stove and oven for all the amazing side dishes. Stuffing, Famous Mashed Potatoes, The Best Sweet Potato Casserole, The World’s Best Green Bean Casserole and some Parker House Rolls.
Versatile: This turkey is so flavorful and delicious that you will want to make it more than just on Thanksgiving or Christmas. It’s great any time of year.

Turkey Breast Ingredients For the Slow Cooker

Making the turkey in the crockpot is the best! That way, you have the oven to make everything else. Not only that, but the turkey’s flavor and tenderness are unbeatable! Scroll to the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

Turkey

Boneless Turkey Breast Roast Thawed: It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a turkey! Just make sure the breast will fit in your crockpot and has had 24 hours to thaw in the fridge.
Onion: Adds a hint of sweetness and savory flavor that perfectly complements the turkey breast.
Garlic Cloves: Gives the turkey that incredible punch of savory flavor.
Whole Carrots: Provide a bright sweetness while softening, releasing their juices, and infusing into the breast.
Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and flavor into the turkey while it cooks.
Fresh Herbs: Fresh Rosemary and Sage add a bright, earthy note to the turkey breast while it cooks.

Butter Herb Rub

Softened Butter: The base for the rub that soaks into the slow cooker turkey while it cooks. You can use salted or unsalted butter, whatever your preference.
Garlic Powder: Gives extra garlic flavor in the butter rub.
Dried Onion Flakes: Adds a sweet, slightly tender flavor and texture.
Salt & Black Pepper: Enhances the flavors of everything in this recipe.
Paprika: Complements the vegetables and addds a hint of peppery heat.
Dried Herbs: Combine Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme, is the ultimate combination in dried herbs for classic flavor.

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe

It only took me a short time to prep everything and throw it into the slow cooker. In just a few hours, I had the most delicious, moist, and tender turkey I have ever had! Trust me, you will want to make this all year long!

Prep: Prepare the turkey by thawing it ahead of time. I thawed mine in the fridge 2 days in advance! Line your slow cooker with a liner or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Place the onion, garlic, carrots, chicken broth, and herbs sprigs in the slow cooker’s bottom.
Stir: Combine the softened butter, garlic powder, dried onion flakes, salt, paprika, sage, rosemary, thyme, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir to incorporate the herbs into the butter.
Coat: Spread the butter mixture generously all over the thawed turkey.
Cook: Place the turkey into the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit with a meat thermometer. Carefully remove your turkey from the slow cooker and then place it on a platter. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing, and enjoy!

Overhead shot of onion, carrots, garlic and sprigs of herbs in the bottom of the crockpot.

Overhead shot of a small glass bowl with butter and herbs mixed together.

Crockpot Turkey Breast Tips and Variations

Turkey: Make sure your turkey breast will fit in your slow cooker! 5-6 pounds will fit in standard 7-quart slow cooker.
Citrus: Add sliced lemons or oranges to the bottom of the slow cooker for added flavor!
Boneless vs Bone-In: I prefer boneless turkey breast because it’s easier to slice and has more meat! You can use a bone-in turkey breast if you prefer. It will add more flavor to the meat, but you will also need to cut and remove the bones and skin after it is cooked.
Rest: Allowing the turkey to rest before carving gives the juices time to distribute evenly through the meat. It sounds weird, but it’s totally true. Let it rest before cutting.
Thaw: Be sure to thoroughly thaw your turkey breast in the fridge for at least 24 hours. Do not thaw at room temperature.
Gravy: Make gravy to go with it!

Overhead shot of a platter with the vegetables and slow cooker turkey breast with fresh herbs.

How to Store Crock Pot Turkey Breast Leftovers

In the Refrigerator: If you have any leftovers store them in the fridge in a tightly sealed container or even a freezer bag for up to 4-5 days.
In the Freezer: Place cooled leftover turkey in an airtight container or sealable bag. Freeze for up to 3 months! Thaw overnight in the fridge.
To Reheat: Reheat any leftovers in the microwave until warmed through.

More Turkey Recipes to Try

Turkey

Turkey In a Bag

2 hrs 40 mins

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Turkey

▢ 5 pounds boneless turkey breast roast thawed
▢ 1 onion peeled and quartered
▢ 3 garlic cloves
▢ 3-4 whole carrots peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
▢ 1/2 cup chicken broth
▢ 1 sprig rosemary
▢ 1 sprig sage

Line your slow cooker with a liner or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Place the onion, garlic, carrots, chicken broth, and sprigs of herbs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Combine the softened butter, garlic powder, dried onion flakes, salt, paprika, sage, rosemary, thyme, and pepper in a bowl. Stir to incorporate the herbs into the butter.
Spread the butter mixture generously all over the thawed turkey.
Place the turkey into the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. The turkey is done when the temperature reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit with a thermometer.
Carefully remove your turkey from the slow cooker and place it on a platter. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and enjoy!

Updated on November 6, 2024

Published on November 24, 2020

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 57gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 167mgSodium: 1211mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 4139IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.