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

Video

Notes

  1. You'll need a larger oval slow cooker to cook a turkey breast. A standard round slow cooker will not be large enough.
  2. 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.
  3. I highly recommend using a bone-in, skin-on turkey breast as it will be much less likely to get dry.

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