Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Published on 11/16/23

We have the absolute best Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe that is perfect for a smaller crowd on Thanksgiving Day! Just let it cook low and slow while you prepare all the other traditional side dish recipes. This juicy turkey breast will definitely impress your whole family and be sure to use those flavorful juices and learn how to make turkey gravy!

The best recipe for a slow cooker turkey breast.

Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Unless you are new around here, you know we definitely know how to serve a delicious Thanksgiving dinner! We have made a juicy roasted turkey breast, grilled turkey breast, and smoked turkey breast, but this crock pot turkey breast is definitely a game changer. It only takes minutes to get it in the slow cooker and then you can just set-it-and-forget-it! Plus, you don’t have to worry about it taking up oven space, win-win! It is perfect for your next small gathering at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other special occasion.

This holiday season, if you find yourself wondering the size of turkey you need, you definitely need to check out our post on how much turkey breast per person to plan!

What You Will Need

turkey breast – make sure the turkey breast is fully thawed before cooking, otherwise the cook time will be considerably longer.
butter – every traditional turkey needs lots of butter spread on the outside to add flavor and roast to a golden brown.
fresh garlic – everything is always better with garlic. In this recipe card, we have some in the bottom of the slow cooker, plus mixed into the herby butter!
fresh herbs – most grocery stores offer a little bit of each fresh herb needed all together in one pack. Again, chop some to mix in the with the butter and toss some in the slow cooker.
kosher salt & black pepper – always a must when cooking any type of meat.
yellow onion – perfect for elevating the turkey breast off the bottom of the slow cooker and adding so much flavor!
chicken stock & white wine – a flavorful combination that brings all the moisture to this cooking process.
olive oil – optional to rub on the outside of the turkey breast, if you want to broil briefly.

How To Cook A Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

The first steps to preparing this easy recipe are to place the soft butter, chopped herbs, and garlic in a small bowl and mix to combine.

Two images showing the ingredients for the herbed butter in a bowl before mixing and after mixing.

Once the turkey breast is fully thawed and sits out at room temperature for about 1 hour, you can pat it dry with clean paper towels.

A turkey breast on a large plate being patted dry with paper towel.

Then rub that butter mixture in all the nooks and crannies of the turkey breast.

Turkey breast on a plate covered in the herbed butter, salt, and pepper.

Next, place the sliced onion, smashed garlic, and fresh herb sprigs in the slow cooker along with the chicken broth and white wine.

Sliced onions, smashed garlic, fresh herbs, chicken broth, and white wine in the bottom of a slow cooker.

Now place the prepared turkey breast in the crock pot and cover.

Buttered turkey breast placed in the slow cooker on top of the onions, herbs, etc.

Let it all cook on the high setting for 3-4 hours or the low setting for 5-6 hours. Check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the meat and once it reaches 165 degrees F it is done.

Turkey breast in the slow cooker after being cooked.

If you prefer a crispy turkey skin, you can move it to a rimmed baking sheet or baking dish, and place it under the broiler for just a few minutes. Otherwise, just let it rest for 10-20 minutes before carving and serving.

Best Way To Serve A Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

We are big fans of turkey for Thanksgiving so this tender turkey breast is typically the highlight of our holiday table! Served up with Yukon gold mashed potatoes, sourdough stuffing, cranberry orange sauce, easy green bean casserole, and don’t forget that delicious gravy to pour over everything. And if you still need more ideas for holiday side dishes, we have a complete list of 45+ Thanksgiving Side Dishes!

A fully cooked turkey breast on a plate.

Recipe FAQ

Bone-in Turkey Breast vs. Boneless Turkey Breast

We used a bone-in turkey breast for these photos because we love the added flavor that comes with a bone-in option, but you can easily use a boneless turkey breast too! Just try to find one that still has the skin on because it really helps to keep the moisture in and so juicy!

How can I add more flavor to my turkey breast?

In this slow cooker turkey breast recipe we kept is simple with an herbed butter, salt, and pepper, but you can also use a turkey seasoning, turkey marinade, or turkey brine.

Is it better to cook a turkey breast on low or high?

Typically, when it comes to slow cooking anything we recommend using the low setting. That low and slow heat usually provides the best results, but if you are short on time, the high setting will get the job done.

How long should I cook my turkey breast for?

If you choose the high setting, it will only take about 3-4 hours. And on the low setting it will take 5-6 hours. Just be keep that meat thermometer handy to check the internal temp.

Pinterest image for a slow cooker turkey breast.

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