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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
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
Nutrition
This post was published on October 9, 2018 and was updated on November 4, 2020 with new content.
Cathy K says
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!
Sara says
I make sure the butter is really soft and work quickly because it will harden when it hits the cold turkey!
Jean says
Dry the turkey breast before applying the butter mixture.
Michelle Camper says
So I dont add any liquid in crock pot? At beginning?
Sara says
No you do not.
kathy says
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
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.
Brynn says
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!
Haji says
Worked perfectly and was delicious! 6.5 lbd bone in breast in a 7 quart crock pot.
Michael says
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
Sara says
I use a 6 quart oval crock pot. Can you cut it down at all to fit?
Donna says
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
Sara says
Yes it should be fine, you’ll likely need to add more cooking time if you’re starting with a partially thawed breast.
Kathy says
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.
kathy says
It was a 71/4 lb full breast.
Florine says
How long for 7.5lb breast with bone in?
Sara says
Should be about 4 hours!
M turner says
I didn’t see a packet – mine is a butterball. Do they all have them? Hope not because mines cooking.
Kerri says
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 😀
Sara says
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!
Hilary Harison says
Can you explain what a broiler is please Is it what we in Wales call a fryer?
Sara says
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.
Annie says
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!
Sara says
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!
Ken Whitaker says
Can I incorporate stuffing in the crock pot?
Sara says
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.
Joan says
Do you place the turkey breast side up
In the crockpot ?
Sara says
Yes it’s breast side up!
Nana says
Can you add your dressing to this recipe also?
Sara says
Are you referring to the cornbread dressing?
michelle says
Do you ever add red potatoes on bottom of crockpot?
Sara says
That would work fine!
Maria says
I am going to try this recipe Thanksgiving weekend because I think it would be delicious and easy to make!
Joann says
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.
Pamela says
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
Joann says
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.
Lourinda says
Sound as great, I’m trying it today in my crock … thank you all for sharing your different styles
Britini says
Is this possible in an 8Qt instant pot? Slow cooker setting
Sara says
If it’s a slow cooker then it should work fine!
Michelle Barnette says
If I’m doing 2- 5lb bone in breasts how long on low would I cook it for?
Sara says
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.
Kathy Paleudis says
Should the turkey breast be completely thawed?
Sara says
Yes it should be thawed!
Linda says
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.
Landis Stovall says
Great
Nick says
If you are doing a whole breast, what would you increase the cook time to?
Sara says
I would do 8 hours, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature to make sure it’s done!
Marsha says
What size crock pot for a six pound boneless turkey breast?
Sara says
I use a 6 quart crock pot!
Kay says
Is it a must to broil it or can you just cook on crock pot and be done?
Sara says
You can just cook it in the crock pot but the skin won’t get browned or crispy.