Are you tired of serving dry turkey breasts? Fortunately, it can be avoided and we are here to show you how.
Turkey breast meat is thick yet super lean (minimal fat). Due to the thickness, turkey breasts typically need about two hours to cook all the way through. If you cooked fatty meat for that long, the fat would melt during the cooking process, lubricate the muscle fibers, and keep the meat juicy. Since the typical turkey breast contains little fat, it can dry out during long cooks.
You can avoid serving dry turkey breasts by wet or dry brining before cooking, but that won’t be feasible if you don’t have the time or fridge space to brine a turkey breast. If brining is not an option, consider cooking your turkey breasts in a slow cooker.
NOTE: We highly recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure doneness as every slow cooker cooks differently. Internal temperature needs to be 165°F in both the thickest part of the breast (without touching the bone) and in the thighs to ensure doneness and food safety.
Slow cooking a turkey breast is an easy and delicious way to prepare this holiday favorite With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have a mouthwatering homecooked meal ready with very little hands-on time Follow this guide to learn how to slow cook a moist and tender turkey breast for your family.
Benefits of Slow Cooking Turkey Breast
There are several advantages to slow cooking a turkey breast rather than roasting it in the oven
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Requires minimal preparation and cook time Just season the turkey breast, pop it in the slow cooker, and let it do all the work over several hours
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Turkey stays incredibly moist and tender. The slow, low heat helps break down connective tissues.
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Infuses turkey with lots of flavor. Spices, herbs, and aromatics have hours to impart their taste.
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Frees up oven space for sides. You don’t have to worry about fitting in that turkey alongside all your other dishes.
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Lower chance of drying out. The moist environment of the slow cooker prevents turkey breast from drying out.
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Less Hands-on Time. Simply prepare and season it in the morning, then enjoy a ready-to-eat meal in the evening.
Picking the Right Turkey Breast
When selecting a turkey breast to slow cook, opt for:
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Bone-in or boneless: Both work well, bone-in may be juicier.
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Skin-on: Helps keep meat moist and provides crispy skin.
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2-5 pounds: Good size range for most slow cookers.
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Frozen or fresh: If frozen, make sure it is completely thawed before cooking.
For the best results, choose an all-natural turkey breast rather than a mass-produced one loaded with saline solution or other additives. This will give you a cleaner flavor.
Seasoning and Preparing Turkey Breast
To get your turkey breast ready for the slow cooker, just follow these simple steps:
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Rinse and pat dry. Give the turkey a rinse under cool water and thoroughly pat it dry with paper towels.
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Trim excess skin and fat. Use a sharp knife to trim off any unwanted bits. Leave skin intact.
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Make a seasoning rub. Mix together desired spices, herbs, garlic, etc. Common choices are rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
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Coat the turkey breast. Rub the spice mixture all over the turkey, including under the skin. This infuses it with lots of flavor.
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Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes. Letting it sit with the rub for an hour helps the seasonings permeate the meat.
That’s all the prep work involved! Now the turkey breast is ready for the slow cooker.
How to Cook Turkey Breast in a Slow Cooker
Follow these simple instructions for tender and juicy slow cooker turkey breast:
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Grease the slow cooker. Use cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.
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Add aromatics to the bottom. Onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and herbs create flavor.
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Pour in chicken broth. 1⁄2 – 1 cup adds moisture. Turkey or vegetable broth works too.
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Place turkey breast inside. Put it in breast side up for even cooking.
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Cook on LOW heat. Cook time depends on weight, but estimate 1-1.5 hours per pound.
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Use a meat thermometer. Cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Let turkey rest before slicing. Allow juices to redistribute by letting it rest for 10-15 minutes.
It’s that easy! Just a bit of prep in the morning and you’ll have a delicious homecooked turkey breast meal by dinner.
Cooking Times for Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
To ensure your turkey breast turns out perfectly cooked, follow these time guidelines:
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2-3 pound turkey breast: Cook 5-7 hours on LOW
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3-4 pound turkey breast: Cook 7-9 hours on LOW
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4-5 pound turkey breast: Cook 9-11 hours on LOW
If short on time, you can cook in 3-4 hours on HIGH heat instead. But for best moisture and texture, low and slow is ideal. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
Flavor Variations and Additions
One of the great things about slow cooked turkey breast is how versatile it is. Feel free to get creative with flavors!
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Fresh herbs – rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano provide great taste.
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Dried spice blends – poultry seasoning, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder.
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Fruit purees – apricot, cranberry, apple, pear (adds moisture).
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Citrus – lemon, lime, orange zest brighten it up.
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Savory liquids – chicken broth, turkey broth, white wine, apple cider.
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Aromatics – onions, carrots, celery, garlic, ginger.
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Gravy – use drippings to make a flavorful gravy.
Get inspired with global spices, seasonal ingredients, or your family’s favorites to make this turkey breast your own.
Making Turkey Breast Extra Crispy
For the perfect combo of super moist and deliciously crispy, here are a couple options:
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Broil after slow cooking. Place turkey under the broiler for 2-5 minutes once done. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
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Finish in the oven. Bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes until skin reaches desired crispiness.
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Pan fry. Fry the skin side in an oiled skillet over medium-high heat for a couple minutes.
Serving and Side Dishes for Turkey Breast
Slow cooked turkey breast pairs wonderfully with all sorts of sides. Here are some suggestions:
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Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
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Stuffing or dressing
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Cranberry sauce
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Roasted vegetables – Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips
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Fresh salad or slaw
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Gravy – the perfect topping!
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Biscuits, rolls, or cornbread
This tender and succulent turkey breast also works great in soups, salads, sandwiches, and more for delicious leftovers. Enjoy it straight out of the slow cooker or get creative with how you use it.
Storing and Freezing Leftover Turkey
Be sure to properly store leftover turkey:
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Store cooked turkey breast in an airtight container in the fridge.
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Use within 3-4 days for best quality and food safety.
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Slice breast and freeze portions in freezer bags for longer term (2-3 months).
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Thaw leftovers in the fridge before reheating gently on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the slow cooker.
With the simple steps in this guide, you can easily make a mouthwatering slow cooked turkey breast. Get ready to enjoy juicy, savory meat and fantastic leftovers!
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Why Should You Make Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
A slow cooker uses low heat to slowly cook turkey, letting the meat marinate and simmer in its own juices. Also, since a slow cooker does not release steam, it locks moisture inside the pot and meat to help deliver juicy turkey breasts.
Slow cooking bone-in turkey breast can take five to six hours, but the results are unbelievable – moist and tender turkey meat packed with flavor. Even better, the hands-off cooking process is so convenient. Just place the turkey breast inside the slow cooker, close the lid, set the cooker, and relax until the timer goes off.
Benefits of Using a Slow Cooker
Cooking turkey breasts in an oven or grill may be popular, but it can be tedious and unforgiving. You have to keep checking the turkey’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer. If you accidentally cook it for a few extra minutes, the turkey could burn or get dry.
On the other hand, cooking a turkey breast in a slow cooker is very forgiving. Even if the turkey spends an extra hour in the crockpot, the low cooking temperature will help ensure that it doesn’t burn or get dry. Here are more benefits of opting for slow cooker turkey breast:
- Flavorful, tender, and juicy turkey breasts every time
- Minimal prep time – no need to brine
- Hassle-free cooking process – no need to check on it for hours
- Easy to clean up afterward
Lastly, using a slow cooker gives you highly concentrated turkey broth, which you can use to create an excellent gravy.
Before delving into how to cook bone-in turkey breasts in a crockpot, let’s settle the argument of crockpots vs. slow cookers.
Moist and Tender Turkey Breast in a Crock Pot
FAQ
Can you cook a turkey breast at low temperature?
300 F is a good balance between low oven temperature and longer cook time. If you do want the turkey breast roast to cook faster, then increase the oven temp. to 325 F. To get that nice crispy skin at the end, we will increase the oven temperature to quickly caramelize the skin.
Should turkey breast be up or down in the crockpot?
For an even more moist and tender turkey, cook with the breast side down. Just be prepared that you won’t really be able to slice the turkey this way; it will just fall off the bone. The presentation isn’t great with this method, but the meat is super moist.
How long can you cook turkey in a slow cooker?
- 1 kg / 2 lb: 4 – 5 hours on low.
- 2 – 3 kg / 4 – 6 lb: 5 – 6 hours on low.
- 4 kg / 8 lb: 6 – 7 hours on low (see 8 June ’17 report from reader Tony)
- 5 kg / 10 lb: 8 – 9 hours on low.
How long to cook turkey breast at 250 degrees?
Smoke turkey, maintaining temperature inside smoker between 225°F and 250°F, for 3 ½ to 4 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion …Nov 12, 2023
How to cook turkey breast in a slow cooker?
Requires little preparation. Simply season the breast, place it in the slow cooker, and let it cook unattended for 5-6 hours. Turkey breast cooks gently and evenly in the moist environment of the slow cooker. This prevents it from drying out, ensuring tender and juicy meat. Allows you to free up your oven for cooking side dishes.
How long do you cook a bone-in Turkey Breast in a slow cooker?
When cooking a bone-in turkey breast in a slow cooker, make sure to cook it on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. Always check the turkey breast for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. If it reaches 165°F, it’s done.
How long does a 2 kg turkey breast take to cook?
A 2 kg / 4 l2b turkey breast will take 5 to 6 hours on LOW in a slow cooker. Check the internal temperature at 5 hours. See recipe notes for cook times for other sizes. I promised you easy – and easy it is! Here’s how it goes down: Use slow cooker juices to make a killer gravy.
How long should a turkey breast be cooked on low?
A general rule of thumb is to cook a turkey breast on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. However, it’s always best to use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey breast reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
How do you cook a thawed Turkey in a slow cooker?
Coat: Spread the butter mixture generously all over the thawed turkey. Cook: Place the turkey into the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit with a meat thermometer. Carefully remove your turkey from the slow cooker and then place it on a platter.
What size turkey breast is best for a slow cooker?
Size: Choose a turkey breast that fits comfortably in your slow cooker. A 2-3 pound turkey breast is ideal for most slow cookers. Boneless or Bone-In: Both boneless and bone-in turkey breasts can be used for slow cooking. However, boneless turkey breasts are easier to slice and serve.