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
- 1/2 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 1/2-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