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Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast: The Only Recipe You Need

Close-up of perfectly cooked and sliced slow cooker turkey breast seasoned with herbs on a white plate.

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Stop worrying about dry meat. This hands-off slow cooker turkey breast recipe delivers incredibly moist and tender results, perfect for weeknight dinners or as an easy holiday centerpiece.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (3 to 5 pound) boneless turkey breast, skin on or off
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or apple cider
  • 4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

Instructions

  1. Pat the turkey breast completely dry using paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. This is your herb rub.
  3. Rub the herb mixture evenly over the entire surface of the turkey breast.
  4. Place the seasoned turkey breast in the basin of your slow cooker. If using a boneless breast, try to roll it into a compact shape.
  5. Pour the chicken broth or apple cider around the base of the turkey, not directly over the top.
  6. Place the pieces of butter evenly over the top of the turkey breast.
  7. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, or on HIGH for 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Cooking time depends on the size of the breast.
  8. The turkey is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  9. Carefully remove the turkey breast from the slow cooker and let it rest on a cutting board, loosely tented with foil, for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing against the grain.

Notes

  • For extra flavor and moisture, you can add half a sliced onion or a few sprigs of fresh herbs (like sage or thyme) to the bottom of the slow cooker beneath the turkey.
  • If you want to make a simple gravy, remove the turkey, strain the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan, and thicken it with a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water).
  • This recipe works well for both bone-in and boneless turkey breast; adjust cooking time slightly for bone-in cuts.

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