Easy slow cooker turkey breast is the easiest and juiciest way to cook a turkey this holiday season. It is super delicious seasoned with all the fresh fall herbs and slow cooked to tender perfection. This turkey is super soft, tender and juicy, but has the crispiest skin. The best part? It takes just 10 minutes to prep.
This slow cooker turkey breast is perfect for a smaller more intimate Thanksgiving dinner, when you are not planning to serve a whole roast turkey, or if you are just having a turkey craving any night of the week.
Serve it along with some favourite sides such as creamy mashed potatoes, nutty green beans, and potatoes au gratin. And don't forget the cranberry sauce and stuffing. Or scroll through some other options below:
Ingredients
- boneless turkey breast - a 4 lb. turkey breast with the skin-on
- onion
- garlic
- butter
- vegetable oil
- fresh herbs - thyme, rosemary and sage.
- paprika
- salt and pepper
You will also need a slow cooker/crockpot.
How to Make the Best Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
First, let's prep the turkey. In a small bowl, combine butter, oil, thyme, rosemary, sage, paprika, salt and pepper. Stir well into a smooth paste.
Then, pat dry the turkey breast with a paper towel completely. Use a knife and a spoon to gently loosen the skin of the turkey breast. Place 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture under the skin of the breast and slowly press down the skin to spread the mixture evenly. Rub and spread the remaining mixture over the skin and the breast (wearing disposable gloves to spread the mixture with your hands makes it easier to clean up).
Next, let's prepare the slow cooker and cook the turkey. Place chopped onion and garlic inside the slow cooker or crockpot and spread out evenly. Then, place the turkey breast on top of the onion and garlic. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours, and until the internal temperature of the breast reaches 165 F on a meat thermometer. Depending on the size of the turkey breast and the brand of the slow cooker, the average cooking time varies between 4.5 to 6.5 hours.
Once cooked, we are going to broil the turkey to get the skin extra crispy. This step is optional, but highly recommended. Carefully transfer the turkey breast onto a baking sheet. Turn on the broiler high and broil for 3-4 minutes or until the skin turns brown and crispy.
Place the breast on a plate and let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Cut the breasts into ½-inch thick slices and serve with homemade gravy.
How to Make Turkey Gravy
Save the all that delicious turkey drippings to make homemade gravy. I like to make my easy 2-ingredient turkey gravy with this recipe. You can also make a classic turkey gravy with turkey stock. Cut the breasts into ½-inch thick slices and serve with homemade gravy.
Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you know the turkey is cooked? Use a digital meat thermometer so that you never end up with undercooked or overcooked turkey. Simply insert halfway inside the meat to get a quick reading. Once the thermometer reads 165F, the turkey is done.
- How do you get crispy skin? The secret to getting that perfect crispy skin is to broil the turkey after it's been slow cooked. This will ensure you get that tender soft turkey meat but with ultra crispy skin.
- What about the gravy? Use the slow cooker juices to make your own homemade gravy. Try easy 2-ingredient turkey gravy or a classic turkey gravy.
- How long does turkey breast last? Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
How to Use Turkey Leftovers
Slow cooker turkey breast is also great to use in sandwiches and soups, or top on salad and pizza. They make the perfect leftovers. Some of my favourite ways to use it are:
- Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich
- Leftover Turkey Fried Rice
- 30 Minute BBQ Chicken Pizza - easily use shredded turkey instead of chicken in this pizza.
- Turkey Wild Rice Soup
More Turkey Recipes
- Easy Juicy Roasted Turkey Breast
- The Best and Juiciest Roast Turkey
- Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers
- Baked Turkey Meatballs
Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Tiktok, and Facebook for more recipe updates.
Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Soft, tender and juicy slow cooker turkey breast with the crispiest skin and fresh fall herbs is the easiest way to cook a turkey this holiday season.
Ingredients
- 1 (4 lb.) boneless turkey breast, skin-on
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 onion, chopped in half
- 1 head of garlic, chopped in half horizontally
Instructions
Prep the Turkey:
- In a small bowl, combine butter, oil, thyme, rosemary, sage, paprika, salt and pepper. Stir well into a smooth paste.
- Pat dry the turkey breast with a paper towel completely dry before adding seasoning. This helps create an extra crispy skin when cooking. Use a knife and a spoon to gently loosen the skin of the turkey breast. Place 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture under the skin of the breast and slowly press down the skin to spread the mixture evenly.
- Rub and spread the remaining mixture over the skin and the breast (wearing disposable gloves to spread the mixture with your hands makes it easier to clean up).
Slow Cook the Turkey:
- Place chopped onion and garlic inside the slow cooker or crockpot and spread out evenly.
- Place the turkey breast on top of the onion and garlic. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours, and until the internal temperature of the breast reaches 165 F. Depending on the size of the turkey breast and the brand of the slow cooker, the average cooking time varies between 4.5 to 6.5 hours.
Broil the Turkey:
- Carefully transfer the turkey breast onto a baking sheet. Turn on the broiler on high and broil for 3-4 minutes or until the skin turns brown and crispy.
- Place the breast on a plate and let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Cut the breasts into ½-inch thick slices and serve with homemade gravy.
Notes
Equipment used: slow cooker/crockpot and digital meat thermometer.
How to test when turkey is done: Use a digital meat thermometer so that you never end up with undercooked or overcooked turkey. Simply insert halfway inside the meat to get a quick reading. Once the thermometer reads 165F, the turkey is done.
How to get crispy skin: The secret to getting that perfect crispy skin is to broil the turkey after it's been slow cooked. This will ensure you get that tender soft turkey meat but with ultra crispy skin.
How to make gravy: Use the slow cooker juices to make your own easy 2-ingredient turkey gravy or homemade turkey gravy.
How to store: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Turkey
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Andrea Howe says
I've always shied away from cooking my turkey in the slow cooker because I wanted the skin crispy. So I can't wait to try this with your broiling tip after it's done. Definitely pinning this for Thanksgiving!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Yes! The broiling tip at the end makes the skin super crispy. You will love it!
Daniela says
Wow your step-by-step images rock! They are so helpful and you did such an epic job of breaking down turkey - so use for the fall :)!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you so much Daniela! Happy to help.