An easy, moist and flavorful way to make bone in turkey breast in the crock pot, this Crockpot (Slow Cooker) Bone-In Turkey Breast is great for holiday gatherings, meal prep, or just for using up that free turkey breast from the holiday! Cooking turkey breast has never been easier for the holiday season!
JUMP TO RECIPEFor the holidays, or any time you're craving juicy turkey breast, this Crockpot (Slow Cooker) Bone-In Turkey Breast doesn't disappoint.
This tender turkey breast is cooked start to finish in the slow cooker, and slathered in an herb filled compound butter, on a bed of aromatics. It's much easier and suited to small gatherings than preparing a whole turkey, too!
Table of Contents
- Why you'll love this recipe
- Crockpot Turkey Breast Ingredients
- How to Make Crockpot Turkey Breast (Visual Guide)
- Tips for perfect Crockpot Bone In Turkey Breast
- Storage & Freezing
- FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Side dishes for Crockpot Turkey Breast
- More Great Main Dishes!
- Leftover Turkey Recipes
Why you'll love this recipe
It's Super Flavorful! The herb butter adds great flavor to the breast meat, and using a skin-on turkey breast ensures it stays moist- and you can crisp the skin under your oven's broiler after cooking!
It's hands-off! Cover and let the slow cooker work it's magic, and come back to one of the moistest turkey breasts you've ever had! Best of all- it frees up oven space for all the other Thanksgiving dinner delights!
It's great for smaller gatherings. If you're doing a small Thanksgiving Dinner, this recipe is perfect! This recipe feeds 5-6 people. It's a simpler way to make a smaller portion for a smaller gathering, family dinner, or small family main dish (or when you're just craving turkey!).
Crockpot Turkey Breast Ingredients
A bone-in turkey breast (2 halves joined at breast bone). This recipe calls for a 7 pound turkey breast. If it's a bit smaller, this is fine. Avoid going too large to ensure the turkey breast fits in your Crockpot.
Chicken stock, to keep things moist. You'll only need ½ cup, which is just enough to keep the Slow Cooking environment moist.
Onions, thickly sliced. The thick sliced onions work not only as aromatics to help flavor the bird, but also hold the turkey breast up and out of the liquid in the crockpot.
Some whole smashed garlic cloves, which also help infuse flavor into the Turkey Breast.
Butter for making tasty compound butter, plus more for greasing the crockpot so the turkey breast does not stick.
Spices for the compound butter: garlic powder, dried sage, dried thyme, smoked paprika, onion powder, and of course, coarse kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper. These give the turkey breast that perfect balance of holiday flavors we all love in a roast turkey. Feel free to use fresh herbs instead if you like. If using fresh herbs. be sure to cut back on the amounts, since fresh herbs are more potent than dried.
How to Make Crockpot Turkey Breast (Visual Guide)
This super juicy turkey breast is an easy way to make additional turkey for a large gathering without the fuss. Here's a visual guide on how to make it:
Tips for perfect Crockpot Bone In Turkey Breast
Use a large, preferably 7 quart crockpot or slow cooker.
Fully thaw the Turkey Breast. If using a frozen turkey breast, make sure it is completely thawed in the refrigerator prior to slow cooking it. For s 7 lb bone-in turkey breast, this will take 1.5 to 2 days.
Keep the bird dry. Be sure to thoroughly dry the turkey with paper towels prior to covering in the compound butter.
Trust the temperature. Cook time can vary, so be sure to use a thermometer to temp the turkey before removing from the slow cooker.
Rest before slicing. Allow your cooked turkey breast to rest for at least 30 minutes prior to slicing and serving, so the juices have time to redistribute, keeping your turkey extra moist.
Bone-In Crockpot Turkey Breast Recipe
Equipment
- 7 quart or larger crockpot or slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 7 lb bone-in turkey breast (2 halves joined at breast bone)
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 2 medium onions, thickly sliced (about ½")
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
- 6 tablespoon softened butter (plus more for greasing crockpot)
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Grease the slow cooker on all sides with butter. 2. Make compound spiced butter by mixing the softened butter with the spices, salt and pepper. 3. Pat turkey breast dry well with paper towels. 4. Coat the top of the turkey breast in the compound butter, using a spoon or brush. 5. Add the onion slices and garlic to the crockpot in an even layer, and pour chicken stock over. 6. Add the turkey breast, butter side up, to the crockpot on top of the onions. 7. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 165 degrees. 8. Optional: Broil in the oven for 5-10 minutes for crispy skin. Allow turkey breast to rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour before slicing and serving.
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Storage & Freezing
This turkey can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the turkey breast in freezer bags for up to 2 months without losing any quality!
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How can I get crispy skin on the Crockpot Turkey Breast?
All about that crispy skin? You can crisp it in the oven after cooking! Place your turkey breast on a broiler safe pan lined with foil, and broil it under your oven's broiler for 5-10 minutes to crisp up some of the skin! Be sure to keep an eye on things to prevent burning.
What size Crockpot do I need?
A large, preferably 7 quart crockpot or slow cooker. This is a BIG piece of turkey- so you want to be sure you use a larger slow cooker to accommodate it.
Can I use a boneless turkey breast?
Yes! Follow the same steps, but cook the turkey breast for about 4 hours instead.
Are there drippings left in the crockpot?
Yes! If you like, you can take out the onions and garlic, and use the drippings in the crockpot to add flavor to your gravy! They would also be great in my mushroom gravy recipe!
Side dishes for Crockpot Turkey Breast
Try my tasty Make Ahead Green Bean Casserole, made with a homemade sauce!
Whip up my Bacon Brussels Sprout Skillet, a tangy and flavorful side dish loaded with crispy bacon!
Keep it slow cooker and make my Crockpot Sage and Onion Stuffing!
Make a batch of my creamy and decadent Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes!
More Great Main Dishes!
If you love this easy Crockpot Turkey breast, you'll also love my tips on how to cook brats in the oven, Whole Smoked Turkey recipe, or Braised Country Style Pork Ribs and Sauerkraut!
Leftover Turkey Recipes
Make my tasty Italian Tortellini Soup, which calls for chicken, but is also great with turkey!
Make my classic Chicken a la King - except, with turkey!
Try a turkey-fied version of my Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sliders!
Use it in my Crockpot White Chicken Chili! Just omit the chicken, and stir in the turkey toward the end of the cooking time.
Use it to make a turkey version of my tangy and creamy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad- perfect for sandwiches!
Jennifer says
Hi. Can I use Turkey Thighs instead of breast?
Sharon Farnell says
I have not tested this recipe with thighs, only a breast. I think you could, but cooking time may vary.