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Home » Slow Cooker » Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Published: November 4, 2020 Last Modified: November 4, 2020 By Sara 128 Comments

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

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This slow cooker turkey breast is coated in a seasoned herb butter, then placed in the crock pot to cook to tender perfection. It's the perfect way to free up oven space for your big holiday meal.

This slow cooker turkey breast is coated in a seasoned herb butter, then placed in the crock pot to cook to tender perfection. It’s the perfect way to free up oven space for your big holiday meal, and the turkey comes out perfect every time!

I love to make this slow cooker turkey, it’s a fuss free way to have a delicious and elegant main course. I serve my crock pot turkey with some of our favorite side dishes like cranberry jello salad and bacon brussels sprouts. Don’t forget the pecan pie bars and pumpkin meringue pie for dessert!

This slow cooker turkey breast is coated in a seasoned herb butter, then placed in the crock pot to cook to tender perfection. It's the perfect way to free up oven space for your big holiday meal. This slow cooker turkey breast is coated in a seasoned herb butter, then placed in the crock pot to cook to tender perfection. It's the perfect way to free up oven space for your big holiday meal.

A slow cooker turkey breast on a serving platter with fresh herbs.

Can you believe that such a browned and succulent turkey breast can come from a slow cooker? It’s true, and it couldn’t be any easier to make. Plus there are plenty of drippings which make the best gravy.

How do you make slow cooker turkey breast?

Start by mixing butter with a blend of herbs and spices. The butter goes on top of, and underneath the turkey skin. The turkey breast then goes into the crock pot and simmers all day until it’s tender and flavorful.

Butter and seasonings in a mixing bowl.

Line the bottom of the slow cooker with thick slices of onion, which serves as a rack to elevate the turkey breast so it doesn’t sit in a bunch of liquid. You want your onion slices to be about 1 inch thick. As a bonus, the onion flavors the cooking liquid which forms the base of the gravy.

A turkey breast coated in seasoned butter.

Slow cooker turkey breast tips

  • I’ve used a half breast here, but you can use a whole breast if you’re serving more people. Simply double the amount of the seasoned butter and proceed with the recipe. You will also need to increase the cook time.
  • Love crispy skin? Me too. After the turkey comes out of the slow cooker, it gets broiled for a few minutes to get the skin crispy and golden brown.
  • You’ll need a larger oval slow cooker to cook a turkey breast. A standard round slow cooker will not be large enough.
  • I highly recommend using a bone-in, skin-on turkey breast as it will be much less likely to get dry.
  • Sometimes it can be a bit difficult to spread the butter mixture evenly over the turkey. Make sure your butter is very soft, and let your turkey breast sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before you start seasoning it to make the process go smoothly.

A cooked turkey breast inside a crock pot.

How much turkey per person?

You’ll want to count on buying one pound of turkey breast per person. If you want more leftovers, try to aim for 1 1/2-2 pounds per person.

How long does it take to cook turkey in a slow cooker?

A standard sized turkey breast will need to cook for approximately 6 hours on low heat. The turkey is done when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165 degrees F. If you’re using a larger or smaller turkey breast, be sure to adjust the cooking itme accordingly. I find it’s easiest to gauge when the turkey is done based on the reading of the thermometer rather than the number of hours in the crock pot.

Sliced slow cooker turkey breast served with stuffing and green beans.

After your slow cooker turkey breast is done, you can strain the liquid left over in the slow cooker and turn it into the best gravy. I like to serve my crock pot turkey with some amazingly delicious side dishes including

  • Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
  • Zucchini Gratin
  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • Butterflake Rolls
  • Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Once you try making turkey in a slow cooker, you won’t want to go back to the oven roasted method!

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Video

A slow cooker turkey breast on a serving platter with fresh herbs.
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4.82 from 22 votes

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

This slow cooker turkey breast is coated in a seasoned herb butter, then placed in the crock pot to cook to tender perfection. It's the perfect way to free up oven space for your big holiday meal, and the turkey comes out perfect every time!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 388kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

For the turkey

  • 6 lb bone-in, skin-on turkey breast
  • 4 tablespoons butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 large onion peeled and cut into 1 inch thick slices
  • fresh herbs for garnish optional
  • cooking spray

For the gravy

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup chicken or turkey broth

Instructions

  • Place the 4 tablespoons of butter, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir until combined.
  • Loosen the skin of the turkey. Spread half of the butter mixture under the skin of the turkey and spread half all over the top of the turkey.
  • Coat a large oval slow cooker with cooking spray and line the bottom of the slow cooker with the onion slices.
  • Place the turkey breast on top of the onion slices. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 165 degrees F.
  • Transfer the turkey breast to a baking sheet. Preheat the broiler.
  • Broil the turkey for 4-5 minutes or until skin is browned and crispy.
  • Pour the liquid from the slow cooker through a strainer; discard the solids.
  • Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a medium pan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to combine.
  • Cook the flour and butter mixture for 1 minute.
  • Pour 1 cup of strained drippings and 1 cup of chicken broth in the pan.
  • Cook for 4-5 minutes or until just thickened, stirring constantly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Slice the turkey and serve with the gravy. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

You can make this recipe with a larger turkey breast. Simply double the amount of seasoned butter and add another hour to the cook time.

Nutrition

Calories: 388kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 90g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 260mg | Sodium: 776mg | Potassium: 1091mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 875IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @DinnerAtTheZoo or tag #dinneratthezoo!

This post was published on October 9, 2018 and was updated on November 4, 2020 with new content.

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Filed Under: Dinner, Slow Cooker

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    Comments

    1. Cathy K says

      December 17, 2019 at 11:36 am

      hi! Just put my turkey breast in the slow cooker and keeping my fingers crossed. How in the heck did you get your butter mixture to stay on the turkey? I had the hardest time getting OFF my skin and on to the turkey! Never did this before and felt like I didn’t know how to cook!!!! LOL! Please tell me your secret. It smells and looks delicious; hope it is!

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 17, 2019 at 9:45 pm

        I make sure the butter is really soft and work quickly because it will harden when it hits the cold turkey!

        Reply
        • Jean says

          December 23, 2019 at 8:32 pm

          Dry the turkey breast before applying the butter mixture.

          Reply
          • Michelle Camper says

            December 23, 2019 at 10:28 pm

            So I dont add any liquid in crock pot? At beginning?

            Reply
            • Sara says

              December 23, 2019 at 11:09 pm

              No you do not.

            • kathy says

              April 12, 2020 at 8:46 am

              I did add chicken broth, about 3/4 cup because I want it to all be mixed in when I go to make my gravy. Remember, a breast does not give off as much juice as a whole turkey with the thighs, etc.

        • kathy says

          April 12, 2020 at 8:48 am

          I had no problem putting the butter/seasonings under the skin, nor on top of it. It looks really nice and it’s cooked for almost 2 hours. However, I have mine on high for right now and then will cut down to low.

          Reply
      • Brynn says

        January 12, 2020 at 3:18 am

        5 stars
        I made w/ boneless skinless 2lb turkey breast and adjusted some measurements for ingredients and cooked for 5 hrs. This turned out better than expected, my turkey was moist and husband seriously couldn’t stop talking about how good dinner was tonight. It didn’t look browned or get crispy in broiler since it had no skin but still was delicious!

        Reply
    2. Haji says

      December 1, 2019 at 2:39 pm

      5 stars
      Worked perfectly and was delicious! 6.5 lbd bone in breast in a 7 quart crock pot.

      Reply
    3. Michael says

      November 27, 2019 at 11:22 pm

      What size crock pot should be used for a 7lb
      Turkey breast bone in. My concern it may be to high. Any suggestion how to fit the breast in. Thank tou

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 28, 2019 at 8:07 am

        I use a 6 quart oval crock pot. Can you cut it down at all to fit?

        Reply
    4. Donna says

      November 27, 2019 at 5:48 pm

      I just found out that I will be cooking my frozen 7 pound turkey breast for tomorrow. I have it soaking in hot water now and pray that as long as I can remove the gravy packet, I can start the cooking process in my slow cooker. Would this work?? HELP and thanks

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 27, 2019 at 5:58 pm

        Yes it should be fine, you’ll likely need to add more cooking time if you’re starting with a partially thawed breast.

        Reply
      • Kathy says

        April 12, 2020 at 8:50 am

        You should not thaw it in hot water. Thaw in cold water. I put mine in to thaw about 5 PM and let it soak all night. Perfect at 9 AM the next morning.

        Reply
        • kathy says

          April 12, 2020 at 8:51 am

          It was a 71/4 lb full breast.

          Reply
    5. Florine says

      November 27, 2019 at 7:32 am

      How long for 7.5lb breast with bone in?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 27, 2019 at 7:56 am

        Should be about 4 hours!

        Reply
        • M turner says

          November 28, 2019 at 5:21 am

          I didn’t see a packet – mine is a butterball. Do they all have them? Hope not because mines cooking.

          Reply
    6. Kerri says

      November 25, 2019 at 2:07 pm

      I’d like to make this for the two of us this thanksgiving (this Thursday), I have a bone in breast that is 6 pounds My first question is, is it ok that the breast sticks out of the top? I can cover it completely with the lid so there is no forcing, just worried about the actual cooking time. Hope you can help because this sounds easy and looks delicious. Also another question, how can you tell if it’s single or double breast and is a full breast a lot more time? Thanks in advance 😀

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 26, 2019 at 8:26 am

        As long as the lid is on securely, it’s totally fine. A single breast looks like a large chicken breast, like is pictured in these photos. A double breast is a different shape, it’s two of the single breasts put together. Think about what a turkey would look like if you removed its wings and legs, that’s a double breast!

        Reply
    7. Hilary Harison says

      November 25, 2019 at 8:02 am

      Can you explain what a broiler is please Is it what we in Wales call a fryer?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 25, 2019 at 8:17 am

        It’s when you turn the oven on so that only the top heating element is cooking the food at a high temperature, typically 450-500 degrees F.

        Reply
    8. Annie says

      November 13, 2019 at 7:19 pm

      5 stars
      Hello – how many pounds do you consider a ‘standard’ sized turkey breast — 6 lbs? Also, have you made this using a boneless turkey breast? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 13, 2019 at 7:46 pm

        Yes, it’s 6 pounds. I have not made this with a boneless breast but I believe a fair amount of my readers have with good success!

        Reply
    9. Ken Whitaker says

      November 11, 2019 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      Can I incorporate stuffing in the crock pot?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 11, 2019 at 5:05 pm

        I haven’t tried it, I’m not sure if it would work because the turkey breast releases a fair amount of liquid as it cooks.

        Reply
    10. Joan says

      November 10, 2019 at 10:02 am

      Do you place the turkey breast side up
      In the crockpot ?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 10, 2019 at 7:10 pm

        Yes it’s breast side up!

        Reply
    11. Nana says

      October 30, 2019 at 1:12 pm

      Can you add your dressing to this recipe also?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        October 30, 2019 at 5:19 pm

        Are you referring to the cornbread dressing?

        Reply
    12. michelle says

      October 20, 2019 at 11:59 am

      Do you ever add red potatoes on bottom of crockpot?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        October 20, 2019 at 9:25 pm

        That would work fine!

        Reply
        • Maria says

          October 26, 2019 at 9:26 am

          I am going to try this recipe Thanksgiving weekend because I think it would be delicious and easy to make!

          Reply
    13. Joann says

      September 18, 2019 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      I Love a turkey breast in the crock pot. I do one similar to this, But I also add carrots & celery to the bottom of my crock pot. I use a stick of butter (melt in microwave) add Nature Seasoning and brush all over the turkey even under the skin. Then I add a pack of Lipton Onion Soup Mix. Cook on low for 8-10hrs. DELICIOUS AND SOOOOO MOIST!!!! But I will have to try this combination. I like trying different spices and herbs on mine. 🙂 Thanks for the great recipes you post.

      Reply
      • Pamela says

        November 18, 2019 at 4:54 pm

        Hi Joann,

        I am going to try and do what you did with the carrots, celery and onion soup mix. Did you add any water or broth to the crock pot before you started cooking it?

        Thanks for your recommendations.

        Pam

        Reply
        • Joann says

          November 19, 2019 at 12:47 am

          Hi Pamela, Yes I did add just a little water. But not much cause the turkey and veggies will release some moisture and you don’t want it to over flow, LOL. I’m thinking just enough to cover bottom of your crock pot. Hope that helps. E-mail if I can help anymore (wyantjoann@yahoo.com). Thanks and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Have a wonderful and blessed day.

          Reply
          • Lourinda says

            November 28, 2019 at 6:23 am

            Sound as great, I’m trying it today in my crock … thank you all for sharing your different styles

            Reply
    14. Britini says

      September 3, 2019 at 8:32 am

      Is this possible in an 8Qt instant pot? Slow cooker setting

      Reply
      • Sara says

        September 3, 2019 at 8:56 pm

        If it’s a slow cooker then it should work fine!

        Reply
    15. Michelle Barnette says

      August 6, 2019 at 7:12 pm

      If I’m doing 2- 5lb bone in breasts how long on low would I cook it for?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        August 6, 2019 at 10:57 pm

        It should cook for the same time, I’d recommend placing them side by side in a larger oval slow cooker rather than stacking them on top of each other.

        Reply
    16. Kathy Paleudis says

      July 7, 2019 at 1:44 pm

      Should the turkey breast be completely thawed?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        July 7, 2019 at 3:09 pm

        Yes it should be thawed!

        Reply
    17. Linda says

      June 29, 2019 at 11:25 am

      I have to say I was skeptical but I liked the idea of all the spices. I wanted something unlike Thanksgiving turkey. Well this recipe certainly different. It was absolutely delicious. I wanted to eat the gravy on everything. I will be making this again and I think I’ll try it on chicken breast and dark meat. There was broth leftover after taking out what I needed for the gravy. I froze it. I’m sure I’ll want more gravy for something.

      Reply
    18. Landis Stovall says

      April 25, 2019 at 3:44 am

      Great

      Reply
    19. Nick says

      April 11, 2019 at 1:30 pm

      If you are doing a whole breast, what would you increase the cook time to?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        April 11, 2019 at 3:38 pm

        I would do 8 hours, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature to make sure it’s done!

        Reply
    20. Marsha says

      April 6, 2019 at 1:31 pm

      What size crock pot for a six pound boneless turkey breast?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        April 7, 2019 at 7:25 am

        I use a 6 quart crock pot!

        Reply
        • Kay says

          December 23, 2019 at 9:39 pm

          Is it a must to broil it or can you just cook on crock pot and be done?

          Reply
          • Sara says

            December 23, 2019 at 10:13 pm

            You can just cook it in the crock pot but the skin won’t get browned or crispy.

            Reply
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