Slow Cooker Turkey Breast (juicy + quick prep!)

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Trying to figure out how to cook a turkey breast grateful (or any day)? Look no further.this Crock Pot Turkey Breast Recipe is the best and easiest way to cook bone-in turkey breast, but there are boneless options as well. Final result?Juicy, Delicious Turkey – and a Bonus Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Much less work than cooking a whole bird.

There are many advantages to cooking turkey breast in a crock pot. It’s easy, juicy, quick to prepare, and then the slow cooker does all the work.However, if you need to do it in less time, try Air fryer turkey breast instead.

Ingredients and Substitutes

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for slow cooker turkey breast, the role of each ingredient in the recipe, and substitution options.For measurements, see Recipe card below.

• turkey breast – I used a whole turkey breastbone (the halves are joined at the breastbone), about 7 lbs. Cook times may vary if yours is bigger or smaller, but the great thing about the Crock Pot turkey breast recipe is that weight changes don’t have a huge impact on time. Boneless turkey breast will also work, but the cooking time will be faster (see below).
• butter – For a vanilla butter rub.I prefer to use unsalted butter This way I can customize the amount of salt individually. If all you have is salted, you can use it and reduce the salt in the recipe by 1/8 tsp.
• garlic – freshly chopped, or get canned minced garlic To save time.
• fresh herbs – Rosemary, thyme and parsley. Feel free to substitute other fresh herbs of your liking – you’ll need 2 tablespoons total.If you want to use dried herbs instead, you’ll need 2 tsp total, 3/4 tsp of each of the three, or just 2 tsp Italian seasoning Keep it simple.
• spices – sea salt, black pepper and paprika (I used sweet pepper, but smoked paprika is also delicious).You can also simplify it by swapping poultry seasoning rather than other spices. For a 7-pound slow cooker turkey breast, the right amount of salt is 2 teaspoons. If yours is bigger or smaller, adjust accordingly.
• onion – Cut it into large, thick pieces. This creates a “rack” for the turkey breast, which promotes more even cooking because the turkey is not touching the bottom of the slow cooker. Plus, it infuses the meat with more flavor. I used a yellow onion but white would work too.
• chicken soup – I use Low Sodium Chicken Broth In all my recipes, but you can also use regular (maybe need to reduce the salt a bit) or bone broth. The extra liquid will ensure that the Crock Pot turkey breast becomes juicy.

How to Cook Turkey Breast in a Crock Pot

This section describes how to cook a turkey breast in a slow cooker, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique to help you visualize it.For complete instructions, including quantities and temperatures, see Recipe card below.

1. Make Garlic Herb Butter. Mash the butter, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, sea salt, black pepper and paprika.
2. dry the turkey breast. Pat the turkey with paper towels until very dry. This helps with the vanilla butter bars…which is a good thing.
3. Preparing the slow cooker. Grease the bottom, put the onion in it, and pour the chicken stock over it.

4. Rub turkey breast with herb butter. Put it in a crock pot and close the lid.
5. Cooking Turkey Breast in a Crock Pot. You’ll want it to reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. We don’t cook to 165 degrees F, which is a typical safe temperature for poultry, as the temperature rises more when roasting and resting. (More details below!)

Tip: After about an hour, after the turkey has melted, use a pastry brush to spread the butter more evenly over the turkey.

If you’re wondering why you don’t melt it before cooking, it’s because the butter tends to run off a cold turkey at first, so it’s best to rub the cold butter first, then use a brush during cooking.

6. bake. Transfer the turkey to the roasting pan and roast in the oven under the broiler for a few minutes, until golden brown.
7. rest. Let the slow cooker turkey breast sit for 10 minutes to allow the juices to settle before slicing.

Tip: Save the turkey drops!

You’ll end up with a lot of liquid under the onions, which you can use as turkey stock in any recipe that calls for chicken or turkey stock (or make gravy use it).

How long does it take to cook a turkey breast in a crock pot?

If using bone-in turkey breast, cook the turkey breast in the slow cooker for 6-7 hours on low or 3.5-4.5 hours on high. For boneless turkey breast, cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-3.5 hours. After this, you will place it under the broiler so that it browns and the internal temperature rises as it rests.

For best results, use meat thermometer Check the cooking time to make sure you end up with a perfectly cooked slow cooker turkey breast. You want to achieve an internal temperature of 160 degrees F in the slow cooker because the temperature will rise another 5 degrees during baking and resting.

How to carve a turkey breast?

After cooking a Crock Pot turkey breast and letting it rest for at least 10 minutes, it’s easy to carve it. Cut the turkey along the sides of the breastbone, then slice each half into thin slices. Pull out or cut off any remaining pieces of meat.

Storage Instructions

• Shop: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.
• Reheat: You can reheat the turkey breast again in the slow cooker (using the low setting) or in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (low to prevent it from drying out). Either way, add some broth to the bottom of the slow cooker or roasting pan to keep the turkey juicy.
• freeze: Once your Crock Pot turkey breast is completely cool, place the meat (you can leave the bone in or slice it first) in a zip-top freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe has so many great side dishes! Here are some great options, whether it’s the holidays or any time of the year:

Easier Turkey Recipes

Looking for other ways to cook turkey? Try these delicious ways:

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast (juicy + quick prep!)

Learn how to cook turkey breast in the CrockPot with this slow cooker turkey breast recipe. It’s juicy, delicious and super easy!

Prepare: 10 minute

chef: 4 Hour

All: 4 Hour 10 minute

Serving Size: 6 (Adjust the scale recipe)

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instruct

Tap the time in the instructions below to start the kitchen timer while cooking.

1. In a small bowl, mash butter, garlic, fresh herbs, salt, pepper and paprika.

2. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels so the herb butter sticks better. Rub butter over top and sides of turkey breast. (It’s okay if it doesn’t spread out completely, try to take a picture.)

3. Grease the bottom of the slow cooker with more butter. Put the onion in it and pour the chicken broth over it. (The onion helps keep the turkey rising.) Place the turkey breast on top of the onion.

4. cover and cook 6-7 hours at low or 3.5-4.5 hours Turn on high until the internal temperature reaches at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) (it will rise another 5 degrees during baking and resting). If you can, open the lid after about an hour of cooking and use a pastry brush to spread the vanilla butter more evenly over the top and sides of the turkey. (Don’t use melted butter from the start, as it will drip off a cold turkey.)

5. When the turkey is done, discard the onion, but keep the liquid underneath, which you can use as turkey stock (in any recipe that calls for chicken or turkey stock).

6. Finally, preheat the broiler and place the rack close to it with enough room for the turkey to fit underneath.Transfer the turkey breast to a roasting pan or roasting pan and roast until 4-8 minutes, until browned.rest 10 minutes before slicing.

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recipe notes

Serving Size: ~6-8 ounces cooked turkey, or 1/6 of the entire recipe

Onion is not included in the nutritional information because it is used to flavor and elevate turkey and is usually discarded. Serving weight is the edible portion, excluding the bones.

nutrient content

Amount per serving. Serving Sizes in Recipe Instructions Above.

Calories 317

fat 17 grams

protein 39 grams

total carbohydrates 1 g

net carbs 1 g

fiber 0 g

sugar 0 g

Nutrition Facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about the calculation or why you get different results?see our nutrition policy.

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