Juicy Crock Pot Turkey Breast (Boneless Recipe) + Video
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Crock Pot Turkey Breast is a great alternative to roasting a whole bird. Cook turkey breast in a crock pot for a few hours, then broil for crispy skin. Even better, crockpot turkey is ready in just 6 hours, freeing up valuable oven space — no basting needed! This recipe is perfect for small gatherings!
When it comes to great flavor and juicy turkey breast, add this to your radar for Thanksgiving dinner.
It’s the easiest way to make a turkey recipe, and I love that it pairs perfectly with the rest of your Thanksgiving recipes.
The first time that I made this easy turkey dinner, I was blown away by the texture of the tender turkey breast.
Right then and there, I knew that this was the perfect way to cook new recipes like this and still have turkey leftovers for the next day!
Stop spending time and effort on a huge Thanksgiving turkey, and make this easy recipe for the holiday season.
It’s the perfect recipe for a small family, and a fun addition to any Thanksgiving menu.
All that’s left to do is make some homemade gravy, add cranberry sauce, and whip up some simple side dishes like green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and more.
You’ll have the perfect family dinner and a delicious turkey main entree in no time at all!
Crock Pot Turkey Breast
Whether you’re hosting a smaller crowd, staying home for the holidays, or just not wanting to spend all day in the kitchen — this recipe for turkey breast in the crock pot is what you need.
You can make a fabulous Tetrazzini with it too! It has pasta and vegetables in a creamy sauce with a crispy cracker topping.
Let the slow cooker do all the work while you prepare your side dishes. You don’t even have to baste turkey in the crockpot!
This recipe is so simple, you can easily make it throughout the year as well.
Throw together a quick salad when you get home from work, and dinner will be on the table in no time.
Recipe Video
Be sure to watch the video! Look for it in the recipe card, at the bottom of this post.
To see us make crock pot turkey breast from start to finish, watch the video in this post!
Tips for Cooking Turkey Breast in Crock Pot
- Don’t forget to thaw first!
Place the meat in the refrigerator a day or two beforehand so it has plenty of time to defrost.
The general rule is that it takes about 24 hours for every 5 pounds with a fridge temperature between 37 to 40°F.
- Brown the butter.
The difference in flavor is phenomenal, trust me! Lightly simmer it on the stove until it darkens in color and has a nutty aroma, about 2 to 3 minutes.
If you don’t want an extra step, simply mix the herbs into softened butter and slather it all over the skin before cooking turkey in the crockpot.
- Adjust the flavor.
Sage, rosemary, thyme, and even citrus all go really well with this type of poultry. Feel free to use any combination of flavors that you like.
- Let it rest.
This guarantees perfectly juicy bites. Since crock pot turkey breast is cooked low and slow, it only needs about 10 minutes of rest time before slicing.
Make sure that the entire turkey has rested in order to be able to cut it the best way.
This is true for white meat or dark meat, both.
Always let the turkey rest! It can be hard to be patient for this simple recipe to rest, but it’s important to release it’s own juices and adds so much flavor!
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Slow Cooker – Great for soups, roasts, shredded chicken, and more!
- Digital meat thermometer – Not only will you know when your crockpot turkey is safe to eat, but you can make sure it’s not overcooked and dried out as well.
- Quality Knives – These cut down on prep time and are important for safety as well.
Crockpot Turkey Breast FAQ
No, but that’s the only way to crisp up the skin on the outside!
For easy cleanup, be sure to line your baking sheet with foil before adding the crock pot turkey breast.
Use the drippings left in the slow cooker to make a simple pan gravy with cornstarch and seasonings.
Pour the drippings into a skillet, adding additional water or broth as needed to increase the amount.
Bring the liquid to a simmer. Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1 tablespoon water, then whisk the slurry into the pan until the mixture begins to thicken.
Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
You can prepare whichever size you need as long as it fits in your slow cooker. In fact, you can cook a double breast of turkey in the crockpot — just adjust the butter mixture and cook time accordingly.
Be sure to check the internal temperature before slicing. A thermometer should read 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of the crockpot turkey breast.
How to Carve Bone-In Turkey Breast
Don’t let the job intimidate you — it’s really quite simple!
Run your knife along either side of the backbone, slicing straight down to remove the whole breast. Then, transfer the meat to a platter or slice into strips before serving.
If you prefer thin slices like a traditional bird, leave the breasts on the bone and carve slices off until you reach the center. Repeat on the other side until you’re done!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Juicy Crock Pot Turkey Breast (Boneless Recipe) + Video
Ingredients
- 1 -2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 2-3 pound turkey breast with bone, skin-on
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted ** see note
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 2-3 sprigs of thyme, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Slice shallots and sprinkle in the bottom of the slow cooker. Place turkey breast over the shallots, skin side up.
- Melt butter (or brown the butter for more flavor). Add in lemon pepper, salt, lemon zest, chopped rosemary, and the leaves from 2-3 sprigs of thyme. Mix together to fully combine.
- Pour butter and spice/herb mixture over the top of the turkey breast. Try to keep as much of the mixture on the breast as possible, but some butter run-off is just fine.
- Place the lid on top and cook on HIGH for 4-6 hours in the slow cooker. Test the temperature of the thickest part of the turkey breast occasionally so that you do not overcook. Internal temp should reach 165°F. Lift turkey breast from the slow cooker and transfer to a baking sheet. Broil for 2-3 minutes or to achieve desired browning and crisp on the skin.
- Slice and serve with gravy.
Video
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published November 2021, updated and republished October 2024
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Have a 7 lb bone in turkey breast do I cook the same time? Would Like to freeze ahead to save time and oven space for Thanksgiving. Thank you
Hi Lin! A fresh/thawed 7 pound turkey breast will cook for 6 – 7 hours on low, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Enjoy and happy cooking!
Looks yummy. Going try this. Recipe
It really is! Enjoy and let us know how it goes.
To me it’s hard to make turkey taste good, but you have certainly done that with this recipe! It was easy to follow, and tasted delicious once it was done.
Why is every weight 4 to 6 hours on high? I have a 12 pound bone in turkey breast, does that i only cook it for 4 to 6 hours also?
I’ve been made turkey in the slow cooker before. I usually dry brine my turkey before roasting in the oven. can I still dry brine if I use the slow cooker instead of the oven?
Can I use a boneless breast? I have one in the freezer, almost 6 lb.