Tender and juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is the perfect crockpot dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas. So simple, great for beginners!
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you’re like me, you’re planning your holiday meal early. This year, forget the oven and try using a slow cooker instead.
Slow cookers are great for cooking turkey because they keep the meat moist and ensure that it doesn’t get dried out. Plus, they free up your oven for other dishes.
Follow this step-by-step guide to make a delicious slow cooker turkey breast this holiday season.
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Slow cooker turkey breast is definitely one of the easiest ways to cook a turkey breast. Plus, it’s really moist and delicious.
I love this recipe because it is so simple. I really wish we had it when we were first learning how to make a holiday meal 30 years ago. This is almost as easy as dump and go because you can just place the veggies along with the seasoned turkey in the slow cooker and leave it to cook until it is ready.
There isn’t a lot of prep or additional steps. So simple – anyone can do it.
Crockpot Turkey Breast
Here are some commonly asked questions
How big of a turkey breast do I need?
When it comes to turkey, it is always better to have too much than too little. No one wants to run out of turkey on Thanksgiving! However, how much turkey per person do you need?
The USDA recommends 1/2 pound (227 grams) of meat per person. However, this is a very safe quantity if you want to be sure to have enough and plenty for leftovers. Instead, I’m keeping the nutrition info reasonably realistic by choosing 6-8 ounces per serving.
One whole turkey breast will feed about 6-8 people, depending on how many other dishes are being served. If you’re serving a lot of other food, you may want to consider getting two smaller breasts instead of one large one.
When it comes to leftovers, plan on about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of cooked turkey per person. This will give you enough for sandwiches and other dishes without having too much leftover Turkey Day food!
What temperature should a turkey be cooked to?
The best way for a turkey to be cooked is with high heat, which will kill all the bacteria in the turkey. The USDA recommends cooking your turkey at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes per pound of weight when using a conventional oven.
When cooking with a slow cooker, the heat and steam trapped under the lid will help to cook the turkey. Try not to open the lid too often to check on it.
Slow cooking of a turkey breast can be done until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees.
How long does it take a turkey breast to thaw?
It takes about 24-48 hours for a turkey breast to thaw in the refrigerator. To speed up the process, you can place the turkey breast in a cold water bath and change the water every 30 minutes. I don’t recommend thawing in the microwave.
Can I slow cook a skin-on turkey breast?
Yes, you can slow cook a skin-on turkey breast. However, the skin will not be as crispy as if it were roasted in the oven.
Slow Cook a Turkey
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- turkey breast, bone-in, completely thawed
- onion – chopped
- celery – chopped
- turkey broth or chicken
Rub
- olive oil
- fresh rosemary chopped finely or dried rosemary
- fresh sage chopped finely or dried sage
- fresh thyme chopped finely or dried thyme
- salt
- black pepper
Can you cook a turkey breast frozen?
While you can do this – that doesn’t mean that you should. I highly recommend that you don’t try to do this with a frozen turkey breast.
When cooking with a slow cooker – the meat will sit at an unsafe temperature for far too long when cooking slowly. So this could make you and your guests quite sick. It also will make the cooking process VERY long.
This won’t result in a very good meal. You will likely have dry, tough turkey on the outside and potentially unsafe turkey on the inside. Please use a fresh or fully thawed turkey for this recipe.
What to serve with Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
While this turkey breast is very versatile and can be served with just about anything – here is a list of our favorite recipes that we pair with this great main dish.
- Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
- Apple Cranberry Spritzer
- Cranberry Quick Bread
- Traditional Deviled Eggs
- Apple Stuffing
- Honey Glazed Carrots
- Easy Cranberry Sauce
- Loaded Green Bean Casserole
- Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
- Easy Sausage Stuffing
- One Hour Dinner Rolls
- Easy Gravy Recipe
- Bourbon Apple Cider
- Bacon & Garlic Green Beans
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Mini Apple Pies
- Holiday Party Punch
- Pumpkin Roll Cake
- Best Pumpkin Pie
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Boneless
How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- Remove the packaging and rinse the turkey breast under cool water, pat dry with paper towels. Place the turkey on a plastic cutting board or on a large baking sheet.
- Cut onion and celery and place them in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the rub.
- Coat the turkey with the oil and then add seasoning rub.
- Place the turkey on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Pour the broth into the cooker, on the sides of the turkey – not on top so that you don’t wash away the seasonings you just added.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, check the temperature at the 5-hour mark.
- Remove the turkey from the cooker and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing.
- Carve and serve.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator or cut them up and freeze them for another recipe later on.
What to make with leftover turkey?
- Turkey pot pie: This comforting dish is perfect for a cold winter day. Simply use leftover turkey in place of chicken in your favorite pot pie recipe.
- Turkey chili: This hearty chili is a great way to use up leftover turkey. Just add some chopped turkey to your favorite chili recipe.
- Turkey enchiladas: These flavorful enchiladas are a great way to use up leftover turkey. Simply substitute shredded turkey for the chicken in your favorite enchilada recipe.
- Turkey soup: This comforting soup is perfect for using up leftover turkey. Just add some chopped turkey to your favorite soup recipe
How Long Do You Cook for the Best Crock Pot Turkey Breast?
- 2 lb turkey breast – 2hrs 30 minutes to 3 hrs 30 minutes
- 3 lb turkey breast – 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes.
- 4 lb turkey breast – 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes.
- 5-6 lb turkey breast – 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes.
PRO TIP: After the turkey breast is cooked, it may be baked under a broiler for about 4 minutes to get a crispy outer layer (this isn’t required).
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe
**Note- Poultry Prep Safety –
PLEASE BE SURE TO DISINFECT YOUR SINK AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTERTOPS AFTER RINSING THE TURKEY. While I don’t typically recommend rinsing poultry because it just spreads any microbes around your kitchen – when it comes to turkey, you need to at least rinse off the extra juices in the packaging.
Don’t worry – all the microbes will cook out – but the sink and any areas where things could have splashed will need to be properly disinfected. Use a wipe or spray and be sure to leave it on for the recommended time so you aren’t spreading things around your kitchen.
Can leftover turkey be frozen?
You bet. We like to keep the leftovers in the fridge for a couple of days for quick and easy meals. But if it looks like we aren’t going to be able to eat it all within 3-4 days – then I toss the remaining leftovers in a zip-top bag and freeze it for up to 2 months.
It’s great to add it to a last-minute dinner-like soup in the Instant Pot. I don’t even have to thaw it first.
Why is it important to use the thermometer on the thickest part of the bird?
The most important thing to remember when using a meat thermometer is that it needs to be in the thickest part of the meat since that will take the longest to heat all the way through and come to the proper temperature.
The tip of a digital thermometer should be inserted into the center of a large roast, turkey, or other whole bird. The probe should not touch the bone or any other cold spot.
Insert the probe slowly and carefully until it touches an internal part of the meat and takes its reading without touching or moving any internal parts such as bones or fat.
Bone-In or Boneless Turkey Breast
When it comes to turkey breast, you have the option of using a boneless or bone-in turkey breast. Both options will work for this recipe, but the bone-in turkey breast will take more time to cook.
How To Carve A Turkey Breast
- First, cut down the middle of the bird and turn it on its side.
- Cut right below the bone to create a nice, even cut.
- Make sure the cuts are even and the breast is symmetrical before cooking.
DON’T MISS THESE HOLIDAY E-BOOKS!
Products I love when making Slow Cooker Turkey Breast….
This holiday dinner recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made a turkey in your slow cooker before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this holiday recipe. (you can also SHOP MY FAVORITES in my store)
If you love this easy turkey recipe, you’re going to love these other turkey recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
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Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 1 5-6 pound turkey breast , bone-in, completely thawed
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3-4 stalks celery chopped
- 1 cup turkey broth or chicken
Rub
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary chopped finely or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 teaspoons fresh sage chopped finely or 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme chopped finely or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Remove the packaging and rinse the turkey breast under cool water, pat dry with paper towels. Place the turkey on a plastic cutting board or on a large baking sheet.
- Cut onion and celery and place them in the bottom of a 6 quart slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the rub.
- Coat the turkey with the oil and then add seasoning rub.
- Place the turkey on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Pour the broth into the cooker, on the sides of the turkey – not on top so that you don't wash away the seasonings you just added.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, check the temperature at the 5-hour mark.
- Remove the turkey from the cooker and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing.
- Carve and serve.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator or cut it up and freeze it for another recipe later on.
Notes
Equipment
- slow cooker
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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