The Absolute BEST Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

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

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.
Overhead shot of labeled turkey ingredients.

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.
Overhead shot of labeled butter herb rub ingredients.

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!

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Coat: Spread the butter mixture generously all over the thawed turkey.
  4. 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.
Overhead shot of turkey breast covered in the herbed butter mixture.
Overhead shot of the turkey breast covered in herbed butter on top of the vegetables in the crock pot.

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.
Overhead shot of plated slow cooker turkey with gravy and vegetables.

More Turkey Recipes to Try

Print

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Amazing juicy and perfectly tender turkey breast that slow cooks all day in the crockpot!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword slow cooker turkey breast, slow cooker turkey breast recipe, thanksgiving, turkey breast
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 25 minutes
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 420kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

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

Butter Herb Rub

Instructions

  • 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!

Notes

Updated on November 6, 2024 
Published on November 24, 2020

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 167mg | Sodium: 1211mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4139IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.4mg


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