Crockpot Turkey Breast

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 servings

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This easy Crockpot Turkey Breast is juicy and tender and requires almost no prep time! It’s perfect for smaller holiday gatherings or for a weeknight meal with leftovers!

Make this a full holiday dinner with my Crockpot Stuffing and Green Bean Casserole!

turkey breast slices on white platter with fresh parsley.

This Crockpot Turkey Breast is one of my favorite turkey recipes. It takes just a few minutes to prep, is slathered in a flavorful garlic butter, and is slow cooked until tender and juicy!

The juices left behind by the turkey are transformed in to the most incredible gravy that can be finished up in just a few minutes on the stove or in the crockpot. This delicious meal is perfect for holidays or for any old weeknight!

If you’re looking to cook a whole turkey in the crockpot, check out my Crockpot Turkey with Garlic Butter!

We love to serve both of them with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Honey Glazed Carrots, Green Beans with Bacon or Broccoli Casserole and Garlic Bread.

Need help planning your Thanksgiving meal? Check out these 20+ Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas!

Ingredients Needed:

ingredients needed for crockpot turkey breast.
  • Turkey: I use boneless turkey breast, but bone in will work too.
  • Unsalted Butter: soften the butter first so you can easily slather it all over the turkey.
  • Seasonings: we’re seasoning the turkey with a simple blend of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, seasoning salt, and black pepper.

For the Gravy

  • Cooking Liquid: save the cooking liquid from the crockpot after the turkey is cooked. It acts as the base for the gravy.
  • Broth: you can use chicken, turkey, or vegetable broth depending on your preferences. I like to use low sodium broth so I can control the saltiness.
  • Cornstarch: whisked together with the broth to help thicken the gravy.
  • Seasonings: a simple combination of dried parsley, dried thyme, and black pepper give the gravy just the right flavor.
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How to Make Crockpot Turkey Breast

This slow cooker turkey breast recipe takes just 10 minutes to prep!

  1. Season the turkey: Place the turkey breast into the crockpot. In a bowl, mix together butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, seasoning salt, and pepper. Rub all over the turkey thoroughly.
  2. Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 5 hours, then remove and let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes. Be sure to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it is cooked through! It should be 165 degrees F.
  3. Make the gravy: Strain the juices from the crockpot through a sieve into a pot. Whisk together broth and cornstarch, then whisk into the juices. Cook until thickened, then add the seasonings to taste.
  4. Slice and serve: Slice the turkey breast, then place back into the crockpot to keep warm or serve right away with the gravy.

Boneless vs Bone-In

I prefer to use boneless turkey breast for this crockpot recipe, but there are pros and cons to each. Feel free to go whatever route you wish. The recipe shouldn’t change!

Boneless

Boneless turkey breast is a great option because it cooks more quickly and is easier to slice and serve. However, it an be difficult to find boneless, even during the holiday season.

I usually use a boneless turkey breast roast, which comes in a mash casing and is usually rounded than regular boneless turkey breast. A breast is made with real turkey breast meat and are not pre-cooked, so you will just proceed with the recipe as instructed.

Bone-In

Bone-in turkey breast tends to be juicier. Having the skin on helps it achieve a better texture and flavor. Plus, if you like a crispy skin, you can pop it under the broiler for a few minutes for that perfect combination of juicy and crispy.

If the weight of the turkey breast is the same as the recipe requires, you don’t need to change the cook time.

Any additional weight will require more cook time.

three slices of turkey breast on plate with mashed potatoes and green beans.

Crockpot Turkey Breast FAQs

Is it safe to cook turkey in slow cooker?

Totally! You’ll just want to use fresh or thawed turkey. Fully frozen turkey will not work, because it will sit too long at an unsafe temperature in the crockpot.

How long do you cook a boneless turkey breast in a crockpot?

You’ll cook the boneless turkey breast for just 5 hours on low in the crockpot. To double check that it’s done, use a meat thermometer. It should be 165ºF!

How much turkey per person?

If you’re cooking boneless turkey breast, you can plan on about ½ pound person. However, if you want leftovers maybe aim for ¾ pounds per person.

How to store:

Leftover turkey breast without gravy will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. The gravy will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To enjoy your leftovers, thaw the turkey overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm in the oven or in the microwave. Heat a portion of gravy up for serving, then dig in!

gravy being poured over crockpot turkey breast on white platter.

Tips and Notes

  • Use fresh or thaw first. If you have fresh turkey, great. If you have frozen, plan ahead and thaw it for a couple of days in the fridge before cooking.
  • Check the temp. The internal temperature of turkey should be 165ºF. Use a meat thermometer to double check before serving!
  • Let it rest. Once the turkey is cooked, pull it out and let it rest on a cutting board for 10-15 minutes. This gives the flavor and moisture time to settle back into the meat for the juiciest texture.
  • Save the juices! Don’t discard the cooking liquid in the crockpot after cooking. You’ll use it as the base for the gravy.
  • Make extra garlic butter. It’s great on turkey, but also delicious on Roasted Vegetables, Roasted Potatoes, chicken, or toasted French bread.

Serving Suggestions

These Crockpot Turkey Breasts are super versatile, so feel free to pair them with whatever side dishes your heart desires. Here are a few of my favorites:

Leftover Turkey Recipes

Got leftovers? Here are a few of my favorites ways to use them up!

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Crockpot Turkey Breast

5 from 120 votes
This easy Crockpot Turkey Breast is juicy and tender with almost no prep time! It's perfect for a smaller holiday gathering or a weeknight meal with leftovers!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Servings 8 servings
Calories 237cal

Ingredients

  • 3-3.5 lb boneless turkey breast
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt (I use Lawry's)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the gravy

  • 1 cup low sodium chicken, turkey or vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 pinch black pepper

Instructions

  • Place turkey breast (completely thawed, if it was frozen) in a 2.5-4 quart crockpot. If you're using a turkey breast roast, be sure to leave the netting in place.
  • In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, seasoning salt and pepper. Rub all over the turkey breast, both sides (be sure to get under and on top of the skin if your turkey breast has skin).
  • Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches at least 165 degrees F.
  • Remove to a cutting board and let rest for 10-15 minutes while you start the gravy.
  • To make the gravy, strain the juices from the crockpot with a fine mesh sieve into a medium pot.
  • Whisk together chicken broth and corn starch. Whisk into turkey juices.
  • Cook on medium heat, whisking often, until thickened. Taste and add recommend seasonings (parsley, thyme and pepper) or adjust seasonings to your tastes.
  • Thinly slice the turkey breast, and place back into the crockpot on warm to serve later, or serve immediately with gravy.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 237cal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 651mg | Potassium: 441mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 211IU | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
Keywords crockpot turkey breast, slow cooker turkey breast

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Christine says

    Just asking where do you buy a turkey roll like that our BJ’s use to sell it but no longer, just wondering what supermarkets your near?

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Christine, I’m in Canada so our supermarkets tend to sell them. Hopefully you’ll find them closer to your holidays. Enjoy!

    • P says

      The butterball boneless turkey breast are not always available year-round at all the stores. However, I have always been able to find during fall. I am already seeing them at Publix and Walmart and it is early October.

  2. Pam says

    Going to try this this weekend. Just wondering if I’m supposed to remove the netting around it before placing in crockpot.

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Pam! I’m not sure if you saw it in the directions but it said, “If you’re using a turkey breast roast, be sure to leave the netting in place.” Hope this helps!

  3. Rebecca says

    Yall, this recipe is Perfect! I added onions slides underneath turkey breast, and instead of butter, I used Italian dressing. I was flabbergasted with how well it turned out! Even my 90yo friend ate like 3 helpings!!! Yay!!

  4. Kathy says

    This was so good. The only thing that I did different is that I brined my boneless breast. Next time I will not add season salt as it was just a hair on the salty side. I used the drippings as the “water” I needed for the gravy and it really rocked. Thank you!!

  5. Cheryl says

    Hi! I can’t wait to try out this recipe this year! My slow cooker is bigger than 4 quarts… do you think this will affect the outcome? Thank you so much for sharing!

  6. Christina Rosencrantz says

    Hi. Thank you for this recipe. I’m using it for thanksgiving this year and I’m super excited but I just realized I got the savory herb 3 pd. turkey breast. Do you think hashing it pre seasoned will make it too salty. I’m wondering if I should just take it back and get the regular one. Or will it make a difference. Thank you for advice. I’m new to cooking

      • Christina Rosencrantz says

        I ended up keeping the savory herb. It came out great!! Thank you so much for this delicious recipe. My whole family loved it. The gravy was super yummy too! This was an easy, super delicious recipe. I definitely recommend it to everyone!!

  7. Sue says

    Hi Ashley,

    I will be trying this recipe out for the first-time next week. I am looking forward to it.
    Happy Thanksgiving
    Sue

  8. Brenda says

    Made the Turkey breast in our crockpot following your recipe. I made two chef salads for my husband and I and topped them with bite size pieces of this scrumptious Turkey Breast. Had enough left over, so a couple of days later I made some gravy and I sliced the rest of the Turkey breast, let it simmer on low in the gravy for a few minutes and we had open face hot Turkey w/gravy slices on bread. It was awesome! Thank you for sharing and will definitely make it again.

  9. Emily says

    Hello! Wondering if a smaller Turkey tenderloin could be used instead? It’s just two of us this Thanksgiving due to COVID. So we don’t want to make too much! If so, how would the cooking time adjust? 🙂

    • Ashley Fehr says

      Hi Emily! The cook time will be mostly dependent on the thickness and weight of the tenderloin. If it is about half the size, probably 3 hours on low would be all right

  10. Gil says

    Such an easy and delicious recipe. Everyone loved it. The gravy was a big hit. I had to use flour/water to thicken it. I really love this!!!

5 from 120 votes (107 ratings without comment)

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