Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is a savory and flavorful turkey beast that cooks slowly in your slow cooker. This delicious turkey breast is so juicy and tender and makes for a great holiday meal.

Cook it for Thanksgiving or Christmas or just any day you crave the taste of turkey and want a low maintenance meal. I love making turkey for dinner several times a year, however I don't usually want to deal with basting a turkey and making a whole huge meal around it.
This is where the slow cooker comes in, making this turkey breast and delicious main course that you can easily make any day of the year without all the extra work of a traditional roasted turkey.
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is an easy recipe that makes for a comforting and hearty meal for dinner. Cook it with some vegetables to round out the meal. It can be cooked with water and seasonings for a healthier option or added in vegetables and seasonings along with broth, wine or apple juice for a richer flavor.
This savory dish is perfect for serving up during the holidays when you are busy around the house. You don't have to worry about missing the oven timer or burning the turkey when you are preoccupied with other things.
Crock Pot Turkey Breast is the best comfort food for cold winter days. You can make this in your slow cooker, also known as a crock pot. I prepared turkey breast in the oven and it was great as well. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast will be a family favorite for sure.
Can I use a frozen turkey breast
Yes, you can use a frozen turkey breast. However, it takes a lot longer to cook. If cooking a frozen turkey breast in the slow cooker, plan on at least 8 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high.
How long does it take to cook a turkey breast in a crock pot
At least 7-8 hours for a 4 lb turkey breast on low and at most 6-7 hours for a 4 lb turkey breast on high.
Can I use a boneless turkey breast
Yes, boneless turkey breast will work in this recipe. However, I would increase the cooking time by about 20 minutes for each pound of boneless turkey breast you are using. About 1 lb of boneless skinless turkey breast should cook in your slow cooker for 6 hours on low and 3-4 hours on high.
I hope you enjoy this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast as much as we do!
What is the best way to reheat this slow cooker turkey breast
The best way to reheat turkey breast is to place it in an oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. A faster and easier way would be to place the cooked turkey and some liquid in a pot on the stovetop over medium high heat and cook until warm.
You could also just reheat your turkey breast in the microwave, but do so on 50% power and in 30 seconds burst until it is warm. You do not want to dry out your turkey breast so I don't recommend reheating your slow cooker turkey breast recipe in the microwave on high.
How do I make gravy from the drippings
To make gravy, you first need to make a roux. Pour the juices into a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Mix ¼ cup of cornstarch in with ½ cup cold water until dissolved and stir it into your saucepan then let it cook for about three minutes or until thickened. I love making a gravy from the drippings of most meats. It makes for such a flavorful and beautiful gravy!
Can I add vegetables and make Slow Cooker Turkey Breast and Vegetables
Yes, you can easily add vegetables to this recipe. If adding vegetables, you will want to add your vegetables to your slow cooker, when half of the cooking time has passed. You don't want your veggies to become soggy or mushy by overcooking them in the slow cooker.
I prefer carrots and potatoes when making Slow Cooker Turkey Breast and Vegetables but you can use whatever your family loves. Other vegetables that work well are peas, beans, green beans and corn.
Can I use homemade ranch seasoning instead of the store bought mix
Yes, homemade ranch seasoning mix will work great in this recipe. If you have a favorite recipe for homemade ranch seasoning, feel free to use that instead of the store bought mix. I love keeping some homemade ranch seasoning mix in the pantry! It tastes so much better than store bought mixes.
What can I serve with Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is wonderful when served alongside mashed potatoes and vegetables or stuffing. It is also wonderful when served with sweet potatoes, rice and vegetables.
My family loves when I serve my turkey breast with stuffing, and green beans. I have a southern friend that always serves hers with cornbread dressing and mac and cheese with a side salad.
Your side options are endless, and you can choose whatever your family prefers! Homemade rolls would also be so tasty with this tender turkey breast.
What is the difference between bone in turkey breast and boneless turkey breast
Bone in turkey breast has the bones and skin with it. Bone in turkey breast is usually a bit cheaper than boneless but you have to get rid of all the extra bits yourself, which can be time consuming.
Boneless turkey breast is just that, there are no bones or skin on it. Boneless turkey is easier to deal with than bone in turkey breast but it is usually more expensive.
Should I remove the skin to my turkey breast
It's up to you. I like to leave the skin on while my turkey breast is cooking. The skin becomes crispy and yummy after it is slow cooked for many hours. You can pull the skin off before eating your turkey if desired.
I find that by leaving the skin on, it helps to keep your turkey breast juicy on the inside.
What do I do with the bones from my leftover turkey breast
One way to use the bones from your leftover cooked turkey is to make soup. Just place the bones in a large pot and cover them with water, add some veggies and seasonings then let simmer for about an hour. You can also roast vegetables like potatoes and carrots, or add them to a pot of soup for added flavor.
What about leftovers, how do I store them
Leftovers can be stored in airtight containers and placed in the fridge. Leftover turkey is also delicious when used to make sandwiches, or as a topping for salads. It may need to be reheated before eating it again on its own.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- 1 onion
- 3-4 stalks of celery
- 6-7 pound bone in turkey breast, thawed, unstuffed or fresh
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 (1 ounce) envelope dry ranch dressing mix
- 1 (1 ounce) envelope turkey gravy mix
- 1 stick of butter
- ½ cup water
How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
You can either leave the skin on your turkey or remove it.
Chop your onion in quarters and place down the bottom of your slow cooker with your celery stalks.
Place your turkey on top of the veggies.
Sprinkle your turkey with the paprika, black pepper, garlic salt, poultry seasoning and ranch dressing mix.
Sprinkle the turkey gravy mix down the bottom of the slow cooker.
Slice your butter and place it all over the top of the turkey.
Pour the water all down the bottom of the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until tender and cooked through (160 degrees).
Remove from the slow cooker and rest before carving.
Use the drippings to make a fabulous gravy!
Slow cooker turkey breast is a great make-ahead meal. You can use it as the centerpiece of your holiday dinner or just for an easy weeknight dinner. This recipe will leave you with plenty leftovers to enjoy in the days following, and even some to freeze if you want. The best part? It's so simple that anyone can do it! If this sounds like something you're interested in trying out yourself, be sure to check out our step by step instructions on how to make Slow Cooker Turkey Breast at home.
I hope your family enjoys this juicy and tender slow cooker turkey breast recipe as much as my family does! If you try this delicious turkey recipe leave me a comment and let me know what you think about it.
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Video
More Delicious Recipes:
- The Best Oven Roasted Turkey
- Leftover Turkey Dinner Muffins
- Cheesy Honey Mustard Turkey Pinwheel
- Turkey Pot Pie with Stuffing Crust
- Leftover Turkey Mashed Potato Stuffing Burgers
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- 3-4 stalks celery
- 6-7 pound bone in turkey breast unstuffed, thawed or fresh
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 envelope (1 oz) dry ranch dressing mix
- 1 envelope (1 oz) turkey gravy mix
- ½ cup butter or 1 stick
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Gather together all of your ingredients and measure them.
- You can either leave the skin on your turkey or remove it.
- Chop your onion in quarters and place down the bottom of your slow cooker with your celery stalks.
- Place your turkey on top of the veggies.
- Sprinkle your turkey with the paprika, black pepper, garlic salt, poultry seasoning and ranch dressing mix.
- Sprinkle the turkey gravy mix down the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Slice your butter and place it all over the top of the turkey.
- Pour the water all down the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until tender and cooked through (160 degrees).
- Remove from the slow cooker and rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.
- Use the drippings to enjoy a fabulous gravy! Enjoy every bite!
Laila
This was delicious. I used a 6lb turkey breast and cooked it for 5.5 hours. I put the butter under the skin but did not used toothpicks to secure the skin back on as it didn’t need them. Strained the liquid and put the turkey in a ziplock bag as we didn’t have it the day it was cooked. Sliced the turkey the next day and made the gravy as directed. The gravy had tremendous flavor — I only added pepper. A keeper. Thanks for sharing. Your recipes are always so delicious.
Karin and Ken
I can't thank you enough for your kind words. You made my day. Take care and all the best to you. I'm grateful to have you with me on my food journey! Karin