If you want a tender, juicy turkey dinner without spending hours watching the oven, this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is an easy solution. The turkey cooks gently in a flavorful mixture of butter, garlic, herbs, and broth, creating moist meat with plenty of savory flavor. It is one of those simple slow cooker meals that works beautifully for Sunday dinner, holidays, meal prep, or an easy weeknight meal.
Using a slow cooker also keeps the turkey breast from drying out when cooked properly. The result is flavorful turkey that slices easily and pairs well with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, stuffing, or cranberry sauce.
Why Make Slow Cooker Turkey Breast?
There are plenty of reasons to add this recipe to your collection of turkey breast recipes crock pot lovers will appreciate.
First, the slow cooker does most of the work. After seasoning the turkey and adding the ingredients to the crockpot, you can let it cook while preparing the rest of the meal.
Second, turkey breast is versatile. Leftovers can be turned into sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups, or casseroles. This makes the recipe especially useful when you want several meals from one simple preparation.
You can also use a boneless or bone-in turkey breast depending on what you have available. If you’re familiar with a Butterball turkey breast crockpot recipe, the same general slow-cooking approach works well, although cooking times should always be adjusted according to the size of your turkey and its packaging instructions.
Ingredients
For this easy slow cooker turkey breast, you’ll need:
- 1 turkey breast, about 3–4 pounds
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
The combination of butter, garlic, and herbs gives the turkey a classic savory flavor while the broth helps create a flavorful cooking environment.
How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
1. Prepare the Turkey
Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. This helps the butter and seasonings stick to the surface.
In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, sage, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Gently rub the seasoned butter mixture over the turkey breast. If your turkey has skin, carefully work some of the butter underneath the skin as well as over the top.
2. Prepare the Slow Cooker
Place the sliced onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour in the broth.
Set the seasoned turkey breast on top of the onions, keeping the thicker portion toward the center of the slow cooker.
3. Cook
Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for approximately 5–6 hours, depending on the size and type of turkey breast.
Cooking times can vary, so don’t rely on time alone. The turkey should reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
For the most accurate result, use a meat thermometer rather than cutting into the turkey repeatedly during cooking.
4. Rest Before Slicing
Once the turkey reaches the correct temperature, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board.
Let it rest for about 15 minutes before slicing. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, helping the meat stay tender and moist.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
How to Serve
This Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is perfect with classic dinner sides. Serve slices of turkey with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, green beans, stuffing, or cranberry sauce.
You can also spoon some of the flavorful cooking juices over the turkey before serving. For a thicker gravy, strain the cooking liquid and thicken it separately on the stovetop.
For leftovers, slice the turkey thinly and use it for sandwiches and wraps. You can also chop it into salads, soups, pasta dishes, or casseroles.
Tips for the Best Turkey
Choose the right size: Make sure the turkey breast fits comfortably inside your slow cooker with enough space around it for heat to circulate.
Don’t overcook: Turkey breast is lean, so cooking it far beyond the recommended temperature can make it dry.
Use a thermometer: Internal temperature is the best way to determine when the turkey is finished.
Add vegetables: Onion, carrots, and celery can be placed underneath the turkey to add extra flavor.
Let it rest: Give the cooked turkey time to rest before slicing for better texture.
Want crispy skin? Slow cooking creates tender meat but doesn’t produce crisp skin. For crispier skin, transfer the cooked turkey to a baking dish and briefly place it under a broiler, watching it carefully.
Can I Use a Butterball Turkey Breast in the Crockpot?
Yes, a Butterball turkey breast crockpot preparation can be made using the same basic method, provided the specific turkey product is suitable for slow cooking. Always check the package instructions, especially if the turkey is frozen, pre-seasoned, or contains additional ingredients.
Can I Use Other Turkey Breast Recipes Crock Pot?
Absolutely. Once you have the basic technique, you can change the flavor profile. Try lemon and herbs, garlic Parmesan seasoning, Cajun spices, or a maple-herb combination.
The slow cooker is especially convenient when you want simple slow cooker meals with minimal hands-on preparation.
What About Ground Chicken Recipes?
Ground chicken is a different ingredient and cannot be substituted directly for a whole turkey breast in this recipe. However, if you’re collecting easy poultry dinners, ground chicken recipes can be another great category for quick meatballs, skillet meals, pasta dishes, and casseroles.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is a practical way to prepare a flavorful turkey dinner with less hands-on work. Butter, garlic, herbs, onions, and broth create a savory base while gentle slow cooking helps keep the turkey tender.
Whether you’re preparing a holiday meal or simply looking for dependable slow cooker meals, this recipe is easy to customize and makes delicious leftovers for sandwiches, salads, soups, and more.
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Ingredients
Method
- Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, garlic, thyme, rosemary, sage, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Rub the seasoned butter mixture evenly over the turkey breast. If using a turkey breast with skin, gently rub some of the butter underneath the skin.
- Arrange the sliced onion in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour the chicken or turkey broth over the onions.
- Place the seasoned turkey breast on top of the onions.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours, depending on the size and type of turkey breast.
- Check the thickest part of the turkey with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe doneness.
- Carefully remove the turkey from the slow cooker and let it rest for about 15 minutes before slicing.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Avoid overcooking the turkey, as turkey breast is naturally lean.
For extra flavor, add carrots and celery to the slow cooker with the onion.
For crispier skin, transfer the cooked turkey to a baking dish and briefly broil until the skin is golden, watching it carefully.
Check package instructions when using a pre-seasoned or specialty turkey breast.
