Crock Pot Turkey Breast

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

The best crock pot turkey breast recipe – with a delicious rub and flavorful aromatics – it’s easy to make a moist turkey breast in the slow cooker!

Crock Pot Turkey Breast sliced into pieces on a plate with gravy, herbs and cranberries

If you’re hosting a smaller gathering this Thanksgiving, try making a slow cooker turkey breast!

It’s flavorful and moist and so easy to make in the slow cooker without using any oven space. The herb-infused rub is absolutely irresistible along with the delicious aromatics.

This crockpot turkey breast is the perfect main dish for the holidays or any time of the year. It’s also a great supplement to a full turkey if you have a lot of guests who love white meat! Use the leftover juices to make homemade gravy!

sliced Crock Pot Turkey Breast on a serving plate

Crockpot Turkey Breast: Ingredients & Substitutions

Crock Pot Turkey Breast recipe ingredients labeled
  • Herbs. I created an herb rub that is absolutely delicious. I use fresh rosemary, sage and thyme – you can omit or adjust according to your preferences. You can use dried herbs but I always suggest fresh when possible. Fresh herbs are pretty important for the aromatics though!
  • Granulated Sugar. I brown sugar is a good substitute.
  • Bone-in turkey breast. use a 4 to 6 pound breast for best results (depending on what your crockpot can hold). A boneless breast works too, there just isn’t a cavity for the aromatics.
up close photo of Crock Pot Turkey Breast sliced into pieces on a plate with gravy, herbs and cranberries

How to Cook Turkey Breast in the Crockpot

We’ll walk through this recipe together, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Make the Rub

Begin by pulsing the rub ingredients together in a high-powered blender or food processor until a coarse powder forms, about 5 seconds. Be sure no large pieces of herbs remain.

ingredients for Slow Cooker Turkey Breast rub in a food processor before processing
ingredients for Slow Cooker Turkey Breast rub in a food processor after processing

Transfer the rub to a small bowl and set aside.

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast rub in a bowl with a spoon

Prepare Aromatics

Next, combine the water, apple, onion, cinnamon stick, rosemary, thyme and sage in a microwave safe bowl. Then, cover and microwave on high for 5 minutes.

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast aromatics before cooking
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast aromatics after cooking

After 5 minutes, pour the aromatics into the container of a slow cooker and let the mixture cool slightly.

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast aromatics after cooking in crock pot

Prepare the Turkey Breast

While the aromatics are cooling, pat the turkey breast dry.

a hand holding a paper towel patting a turkey breast dry

Then cut the butter into 8 pieces and distribute it evenly under the skin all over the breast.

8 pieces of butter on a plate
turkey breast with butter under the skin on a plate

Then, brush the outside with olive oil.

brushing the outside of a turkey breast with olive oil

Next, evenly sprinkle the rub over the surface of the turkey breast, gently patting it down so it sticks.

Then place it in the crockpot and pour or spoon the aromatics inside the breast cavity.

rub spread over a Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
rubbed turkey breast in the container of a slow cooker before cooking

Cook the breast on low for 4 to 6 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

You can cook it on high for 2-3 hours, but I prefer cooking it low and slow. Baste every 30 minutes or so.

basting a partially cooked Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Use a thermometer

The size of your breast will determine cooking time. I suggest using a probe thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast that will monitor the cooking progress and alert you when it reaches temperature so it does not get overcooked.

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast in a crock pot after cooking is finished

Brown the Skin

If you’d like to brown/crisp the skin before serving, only let the turkey get to 160 degrees F inside the crockpot.

Then, remove the turkey breast and put it on a wire rack in a baking dish.

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast on a wire rack

Broil the turkey for 2-4 minutes, or until the skin is crisped.

Remove the turkey breast from the oven and cover loosely with foil. You can also baste the turkey with some of the drippings from the crockpot at this point.

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast after browning the skin in the broiler

Serve

Let the slow cooker turkey breast rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving.

Crock Pot Turkey Breast on a serving plate garnished with herbs and cranberries

Make gravy from the drippings using this recipe: https://joyfoodsunshine.com/turkey-gravy-drippings/

I suggest serving it alongside your favorite Thanksgiving recipes like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and dinner rolls!

gravy being poured over sliced Crock Pot Turkey Breast on a serving plate

Store/Freeze

Store leftover crock pot turkey breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for 1 month.

Reheat in a steam oven, in the oven set to warm, or in the microwave.

a fork taking a piece of Crock Pot Turkey Breast on a plate with gravy, herbs and cranberries

Crock Pot Turkey Breast Recipe FAQS

Is cooking a turkey breast in a slow cooker safe?

Yes, since a breast is smaller than whole turkey, it fits nicely inside a slow cooker and can be cooked properly.

Does a turkey breast cook faster than a turkey?

It depends on the method you use. I prefer too cook a turkey breast low and slow for 4-6 hours, but you can cook it on high in the crockpot for 2-3 hours.

Can you cook a turkey breast the day before and reheat?

You can do this, but I suggest serving it fresh – as it always tastes best.

Crock Pot Turkey Breast sliced into pieces on a plate with gravy, herbs and cranberries

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!

Crock Pot Turkey Breast

Laura
The best crock pot turkey breast recipe – with a delicious rub and flavorful aromatics – it's easy to make a moist turkey breast in the slow cooker!
No ratings yet
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 217
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Resting time15 minutes
Total Time4 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Rub

Aromatics

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • 1 spring sage
  • 1 spring thyme
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 medium apple diced into large pieces
  • 1 small onion

Instructions 

Make the Rub

  • Pulse rub ingredients together in a high-powered blender or food processor until a coarse powder forms (no more large pieces of herbs remain), about 5 seconds.

Prepare the Aromatics

  • Combine water, apple, onion, cinnamon stick, rosemary, thyme and sage in a microwave safe bowl.
  • Cover and microwave on high for 5 minutes.
  • Pour aromatics into the container of a slow cooker and let cool slightly.

Prepare the Turkey Breast

  • Pat the turkey breast dry, then cut the butter into 8 pieces and distribute it evenly under the skin all over the breast.
  • Then, brush the outside with olive oil.
  • Next, evenly sprinkle the rub over the surface of the turkey breast, gently patting it down so it sticks.

Cook the Turkey Breast

  • Place it in the crockpot and pour or spoon the aromatics inside the breast cavity.
  • Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, basting every 30-60 minutes.*

Brown the Skin (Optional)

  • If you’d like to brown/crisp the skin before serving, only let the turkey get to 160 degrees F inside the crockpot.
  • Then, remove the turkey breast and put it on a wire rack in a baking dish.
  • Broil the turkey for 2-4 minutes, or until the skin is crisped.
  • Remove the turkey breast from the oven and cover loosely with foil. You can also baste the turkey with some of the drippings from the crockpot at this point.

Serve

  • Let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving.

Video

Notes

* The size of your breast will determine cooking time. I suggest using a probe thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast that will monitor the cooking progress and alert you when it reaches temperature so it does not get overcooked.
Make gravy from the drippings using this recipe: https://joyfoodsunshine.com/turkey-gravy-drippings/
Serve with your favorite Thanksgiving Recipes.
Ingredient Substitution Notes
  • Herbs. I created an herb rub that is absolutely delicious. I use fresh rosemary, sage and thyme – you can omit or adjust according to your preferences. You can use dried herbs but I always suggest fresh when possible. Fresh herbs are pretty important for the aromatics though!
  • Granulated Sugar. I brown sugar is a good substitute.
  • Bone-in turkey breast. use a 4 to 6 pound breast for best results (depending on what your crockpot can hold). A boneless breast works too.
Store/Freeze
Store leftover crockpot turkey breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for 1 month.
Reheat in a steam oven, in the oven set to warm, or in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 4oz | Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 730mg | Potassium: 395mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 329IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Try these recipes


latest recipes

Post a Comment or Ask a Question!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating