Slow Cooked Turkey Breast

Easy Slow Cooked Turkey Breast, well seasoned, juicy, light, and perfect for a simple meal.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword best-slow-cooked-turkey-breast, slow-cooked-turkey-breast

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 6 30

Resting time 15

Total Time 6 50

Servings servings

Calories 203kcal

Author Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

1 7-8 lb bone-in turkey breast (skin intact)
6 Tbsp softened butter divided use
4 Tbsp poultry or turkey seasoning, plus additional as needed i.e. Poultry Magic or McCormick Original Chicken
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 rib celery cut into 2-inch pieces
1 large carrot peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 small onion quartered
2 medium bay leaves
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock or chicken broth

Instructions

Spray the inside of a 6-quart oval slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. (Or fit with a liner)
Pat dry the turkey breast using paper towels. Rub the turkey with 4 Tbsp of softened butter all over and under the skin. Pull back the skin and sprinkle the breast meat liberally with the seasoning.
Replace the skin back over the breast and season the exterior of the turkey inside and out. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
Arrange the chopped celery, carrot, onion and bay leaves in the bottom of the slow cooker. Drizzle with chicken broth.
Center the turkey breast in the slow cooker and dot the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes, then on low for 6-7 hours, depending on your slow cooker. Check for doneness at 6 hours with an instant read thermometer. (Poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F when checked in the thickest part of the breast).
Remove turkey to a platter and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.
Turkey Gravy: While turkey rests make the gravy. Strain the drippings from the crock pot, pouring into a large saucepan. Remove the vegetables with a slotted spoon. Bring liquid to a boil over medium-high heat. To thicken, in a small bowl dissolve 2 Tbsp of all purpose flour or cornstarch in just enough cold water or milk to completely dissolve.
Whisk the slurry into the cooking broth, repeating as needed until your desired thickness is reached. Taste and adjust the seasonings, to your preference. Simmer for 5 minutes, then keep warm until serving with sliced turkey.
Baking a Turkey Breast in the Oven Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Lower oven rack to lower third of oven.
Rub turkey breast with 3 Tbsp butter and season turkey breast following instructions as written in the above slow cooked recipe.
Arrange vegetables in bottom of large roasting pan or baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Drizzle with 1 cup chicken stock. Place bay leaves on vegetables.
Center turkey breast on vegetables. Dot top with remaining 2 Tbsp butter.
Roast a 6 lb breast for 2 - 2 1/2 hours and a 7-8 lb turkey breast for 2 1/2-3 hours. (adjust depending on weight for around 20 minutes/pound) Roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest portion reaches 165°F.
Loosely tent with aluminum foil and let rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.

Notes

- Poultry Seasoning - The poultry seasoning I use for this turkey recipe is called Poultry Magic. (affiliate link) It includes an expanded flavor profile that includes paprika and a hint of spice. You can use your favorite poultry seasoning blend to make this recipe. Keep in mind the sodium content and adjust the salt in the recipe as needed.

- How to Choose the Best Turkey Breast - When choosing the turkey breast, consider the size and shape of your slow cooker. An oval slow cooker tends to do best as the shape is favorable to fitting a turkey breast, or even a whole chicken, more easily. I actually place the turkey breast in it to test and make certain it will fit prior to actually making it. Don't wait until Thanksgiving to test it out.

- How Do You Crisp the Skin - Slow cookers provide a moist cooking environment that won't crisp the skin of the turkey. After slow cooking, if you prefer crisp skin, transfer the juicy turkey breast to a baking dish and it place under the oven broiler. Broil until the skin is crisped and golden brown.

- Boneless Turkey Breast - You can make a boneless turkey breast using this same crock pot technique, but it will cook more quickly. Check it around the halfway point with a meat thermometer to check for doneness. (160-165°F)

- Fresh Herbs You can add any fresh herbs that you enjoy. Fresh sage, rosemary or thyme.

- Spices and Seasonings - You can use seasoning salt in place of plain salt. You could also add onion powder or garlic powder, depending on the poultry seasoning that you use.

- Side Dishes to Serve with a Turkey Breast You may also like to try my recipes for Cranberry Apple Rice Pilaf, Southern Sweet Potato Casserole, make-ahead Turkey Gravy, sweet Cranberry Chutney, homemade Green Bean Casserole and Southern Cornbread Dressing to go with this crock pot turkey breast.

- How Long Do You Bake a Turkey Breast in the Oven - Depending on the size it will take anywhere from 2-3 hours to bake a turkey breast. For oven preparation, see the Cook's note in the recipe card for specific instructions.

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