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–+ servings
A whole slow cooker, turkey breast on a planter, garnished with lemon slices, parsley rosemary, and cranberries.
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Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe

This Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor thanks to a simple garlic butter rub and fresh herbs. It’s the perfect solution when you want an easy, hands-off turkey recipe for the holidays, a cozy family dinner, or just extra turkey for leftovers. Cooking low and slow guarantees moist, delicious results every time.
Author: Nikki Lee
Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 pound turkey breast skin on, bone in or boneless (if using frozen, thaw it)
  • 2 heads garlic whole, (cut half to fit if needed)
  • 1 large yellow onion cut in half
  • 5 sprigs thyme or 2 tsp dried thyme leaves

Garlic Rub

  • 3 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 3 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 3 teaspoons seasoned salt (or 3-4 teaspoons kosher salt)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons of melted butter

Instructions

  • Make Garlic Turkey Rub: Combine all the rub ingredients in a bowl and mix until it forms a wet paste. This consistency makes it easy to spread and ensures that the turkey is well-coated with flavor
  • Prep the Turkey: Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Generously slather it with the rub, making sure to coat the sides and top for full flavor coverage.
  • Set Up the Slow Cooker: Arrange garlic heads, onion, and sprigs of thyme at the bottom of your slow cooker. This acts as a natural roasting rack, keeping the turkey from sitting in all the liquid.
  • Cook Low and Slow: Place the turkey breast skin-side up on top of the onions and garlic. Cook on LOW for approximately or until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached. If possible, start checking around the 5-hour mark. (DO NOT COOK ON HIGH)
  • If crisping the skin, skip to that step then rest before serving.
  • Rest and Finish: Once done, remove the turkey to a serving platter and let it rest for about 10-20 minutes. Reserve the drippings for turkey gravy.

For a Golden, Crispy Skin:

  • Preheat the Broiler: Set your oven broiler to high and position an oven rack about 12 inches from the top burner..
  • Transfer to a Baking Dish or Pan: Carefully place the cooked turkey breast into a heatproof serving dish or roasting pan.
  • Broil: Place the dish on the oven rack and broil for 3-5 minutes. Keep a close eye on it during this step to prevent burning, as it can brown very quickly.
  • Remove and Serve: Once the skin is golden and crispy, remove the turkey from the oven. Once it has rested for 10-20 minutes, serve.
  • If you want to make gravy, try our Turkey Gravy Recipe

Notes

COOKING TIMES FOR A TURKEY BREAST
The turkey is ready to serve once its internal temperature reaches 165°F. A good meat thermometer will make this step foolproof. One of the great things about slow cookers is that they are very forgiving—if your timing is off by an hour or so, the turkey will still turn out juicy and flavorful. However, if possible, turn the cooker off as soon as the turkey reaches the correct temperature to avoid overcooking. If it does go a bit over, don’t worry—you can spoon some of the flavorful juices from the slow cooker over the turkey to keep it moist. 
Important Tip: Never use the HIGH setting to speed up cooking; low and slow is the secret to tender, juicy turkey. And remember, all slow cookers cook differently; some cook hotter than others. I recommend checking the internal temperature of the turkey 1 hour before the lowest cooking time to prevent overcooking.
Here’s a handy guide for cooking times.
  • 2-3 lb: 3-4 hours on low
  • 4-6 lb: 5-6 hours on LOW
  • 8 lb: 6-7 hours on LOW
  • 10 lb: 8-9 hours on LOW

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 524kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 98g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 260mg | Sodium: 1854mg | Potassium: 1164mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 544IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 3mg

Find it online:

www.soulfullymade.com/slow-cooker-turkey-breast/