Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast made juicy & flavorful with butter, apple & a delicious mix of traditional seasonings. This crock pot turkey breast recipe is perfect for holidays or any time of the year!
A great way to make a quick dinner without heating up the house is this slow cook turkey recipe, enjoy a tasty meal with very little effort. With under 10 ingredients, this turkey breast in crock pot is a wonderful main course that everyone is sure to enjoy. Read on for how to cook turkey breast in a crockpot!
Why cook a turkey breast in a crock pot?
My family loves turkey anytime of the year and this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe is one of our favorites. Cooking it in the crock pot helps the turkey to be super moist and juicy. It’s also incredibly easy to prepare and I tend to have all the ingredients on hand. The apple lends a slightly sweet flavor that is wonderful.
It’s so incredibly simple to cook a turkey breast in a crock pot. This method of cooking locks in flavor and moisture so dry turkey is a thing of the past! My slow cooker turkey breast recipe uses common ingredients like an apple and butter, as well as herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage to add amazing flavor. I also like to use onion powder so that I get the onion flavor while saving time and not having to chop an onion.
How long does it take to slow cook a turkey breast?
How long it takes to cook depends on whether or not your turkey breast has a bone in it. I usually buy boneless because it takes less time to cook. Cooking my 3 pound boneless turkey breast took just under 4 hours. You can test the temperature using an electric meat thermometer. The reading needs to show the turkey is 165 degrees F in the thickest portion of the breast. If you’re using a bone- in turkey breast, you’ll want to slow cook it for 5-6 hours, testing for doneness at 5 hours.
Why you’ll love this easy turkey dinner recipe
- It’s simple! This recipe is very simple and easy to follow along with, making it a quick and easy meal to whip up any night of the week.
- Minimal ingredients. You do not need much to make this recipe, but you will need a handful of items. Even with just a few basics, this recipe really packs in a lot of flavor.
- Set and forget! Using a crockpot to make dinner is one of the best weeknight dinner hacks ever. To be able to come home to a delicious home cooked meal after a long day sounds pretty perfect to me.
Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Ingredients
Turkey: You will need 1 turkey breast, I chose a boneless breast and it weighed about 3 lbs.
Apple: Using 1 small apple will give this dish a wonderful depth of sweet flavor that is heavenly.
Salt: You will want to use 1 ½ tsp of coarse salt to season the turkey nicely.
Rosemary: Adding in 1 tsp of crushed rosemary will give the turkey amazing and strong flavor.
Thyme: Use 1 tsp of thyme to add a delightful earthy taste.
Sage: You need 1 tsp of sage to help balance out all the wonderful flavors in this dish.
Onion powder: To simplify this dish, use 2 tsp of onion powder for even more great taste.
Butter: Add 4 TBSP of butter, cut into small cubes, to give the meat rich taste and help keep it moist.
How to cook Turkey Bread in the Crock Pot
Prep
Start by placing the turkey breast in the slow cooker. Then, slice the apple using an apple slicer to remove the core and slice into 8 even pieces. Set apples aside.
Seasoning
Next, in a small bowl, combine the salt, rosemary, thyme, sage and onion powder. Stir to combine, then proceed to rub the seasoning on the turkey breast, making sure to get some underneath the skin.
After that, cut the butter into half-tablespoon size cubes and place all over the turkey, even placing some under the skin.
Then, add the sliced apples to the top of the turkey and around the crockpot too. There’s no need to add any additional liquid, the butter and apple slices will be sufficient.
Cook
Proceed to cook the turkey on LOW heat for 3-4 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. If your turkey breast is bone-in, then you’ll need to cook it for 5-6 hours on low. After 4 hours, check every hour to make sure you don’t overcook it.
After cooking, let the turkey rest for a few minutes. I like to leave mine in the crockpot on warm for 10 minutes to an hour, until just before we’re ready to eat. I also remove the skin prior to serving- it helps keep the turkey moist, but the texture isn’t the greatest after slow cooking.
Slice, serve with gravy and cranberry sauce if desired. Enjoy!
Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 3 lbs turkey breast (mine was boneless, about 3 pounds)
- 1 apple
- 4 TBSP butter cut into small cubes
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 ½ tsp coarse salt
- 1 tsp crushed rosemary
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp sage
Instructions
- Prep: Place the turkey breast in the slow cooker. Then, slice the apple into 8 even pieces. Set apples aside.
- Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine the salt, rosemary, thyme, sage and onion powder. Stir to combine, then rub the seasoning on the turkey breast, get some underneath the skin as well.
- Now, cut the butter into half-tablespoon size cubes and place all over the turkey, placing some under the skin. Add the sliced apples to the top of the turkey and around the crockpot too. No need to add any additional liquid, the butter and apple slices will be sufficient.
- Cook: Cook the turkey on LOW heat for 3-4 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. If your turkey breast is bone-in, then you'll need to cook it for 5-6 hours on low. After 4 hours, check every hour to make sure you don't overcook it.
- After cooking, let the turkey rest for a few minutes. I like to leave mine in the crockpot on warm for 10 minutes to an hour, until just before we're ready to eat. Also remove the skin prior to serving- it helps keep the turkey moist, but the texture isn't the greatest after slow cooking. Slice, serve with gravy and cranberry sauce if desired. Enjoy!
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How long is slow cooker turkey good for?
You can keep the leftovers from the recipe in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 or 5 days. I recommend reheating in the microwave for 30 second increments until the desired temperature is reached.
How much turkey breast per person?
Our 3-lb turkey breast generally serves 8-10 people. However you may want to adjust this serving if you’re feeding big eaters or if you don’t plan to have many side dishes.
What type of turkey breast is best to buy?
I prefer to buy boneless turkey breasts so that they cook faster. If you use a bone-in turkey breast, you’ll need to add about 2-3 hours additional cooking time, depending on how big the turkey breast is. You can find boneless turkey breasts year-round in the freezer section of your grocery store.
WHAT IS THE BEST COOKING THERMOMETER TO USE?
It’s important to have a reliable, durable cooking thermometer on hand! My all-time favorite thermometer is the Thermapen. It’s super fast and incredibly durable. Another great cooking thermometer is the ThermoPop which is a more basic version that works just as well! I use a cooking thermometer to test a variety of foods for doneness- meats, breads, and even oil for frying. They’re a staple in my kitchen!
Like this easy crockpot dish? Try these other crock pot recipes:
- Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken recipe
- Crock Pot Beef Stew recipe
- Crock Pot Pork Roast
- Crock Pot Turkey Breast
- Crock Pot Sweet Pork
- How to make Shredded Chicken in a crockpot
- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
- Crockpot Madras Lentils
- Slow Cooker Roast Beef with Dr.Pepper
- Crock pot Chili
- Crock pot Chicken Alfredo Lasagna
Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is quick to make, using butter, apple slices and a wonderful mix of seasonings. This crock pot turkey breast recipe is great for those busy weeknights when you need a fast and delicious dinner for your family.
Cranberry Morning says
Mmmm. Looks delicious – and so easy! 🙂
all things i love says
I have a question about the turkey–was it frozen?
Jessica Williams says
No, I thawed mine out prior to cooking it.
Cathy says
Shoot, so that’s that one supepsos.
Betsy Dyste says
I just made this tonight (with even a slight skeptical idea that it would turn out) … I am no longer making Turkey any other way – this will be great for cold sandwiches and salads or just by it's self with veggie sides… Thank you for this recipe — it's a MUST REPEAT!
April Christine says
Visiting via Pinterest! Just wanted to say hi and thank you for posting this! I've got a bone-in turkey breast in the freezer and I'll be using this recipe soon. 🙂 It looks delicious!
Party Planning says
Do you think that I could add potatoes? Also, could I use a frozen turkey?
Liz Long says
I don't think that is a 3 lb turkey breast.
Samantha Rowland says
This is so helpful! Thanks for sharing
Stephanie Delp says
I thawed out my 3lb boneless turkey breast & I rinsed it. Then I put it in the crockpot & covered it with half a packet of dry onion soup. I added apple slices around the turkey. Then I added the butter. I put the lid on & put it on low for 3 1/2 hrs. It came out perfect. I didn’t have to reopen the lid 1 time. Thank you for sharing your recipe. It made dinner turn put great. It is hard to find recipes for 3lb turkeys in the crockpot that are good.
Jessica says
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Mary O'Grady says
Can’t wait to try the boneless turkey breast in my slow cooker today
Id really like to receive more recipe ideas
Sugahbush says
Could you do two 3 lbs breasts? How long?
Jessica says
I’d cook it for 5 hours and take the internal temp to see where you’re at, then add another hour if needed.
MeowBoops says
OK seriously, this is so good. I couldn’t really taste any apple in mine but it was super moist. I have tried other slow cooker turkey breast recipes but I think they had me leave it in for way too long. This was perfect! Thanks for sharing. 😀
Jessica says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of our favorites too!
JB says
I’m using Butterball’s “Ready to Roast” boneless turkey breast (the one that comes in a bag). Your recipe says to thaw the turkey breast, but Butterball is adamant about NOT thawing it. So would this still work if I don’t thaw the breast?
Jessica says
I don’t have a lot of experience with the ready to roast turkeys, but I think it’s worth a shot! I mean, it’s still a turkey breast. But- I’d thaw it! If you don’t, the meat sits in the crockpot for too long at a warm temp (not hot!) so it can breed stuff you don’t want to eat. Just my thoughts- let me know if you try it!
Leslie Cochran says
Can you apple juice instead of an apple?
Jessica says
Sure, that would work just fine!
Susan says
I’m making your recipe but am confused. Have a Butterball 3 lb boneless breast and their website says to cook it on low for 8 hours?
Jessica says
That sounds crazy to me! I’d check the temp after 3-4 hours. I literally smoke the same size turkey breasts in 3ish hours.
Suzanne says
Does this make any drippings, to use for gravy?
Jessica says
It does actually! You’ll want to strain it and taste it. Because of the apple it tends to need some additional broth, just fyi!
Rose says
How long to cook 8 pound turkey breast with bones defrosted with salt, pepper, and butter rubbed on it. Do I add broth in the bottom or just some water? Thank you
Jessica says
I’d cook it 6-7 hours, then test the temp Rose. You need to cook to 165 degrees F. No broth needed if you follow my recipe. 😉
Patricia says
Could this method work with homemade stuffing AND a 3 lb turkey breast cooking together in the slow cooker, If so how much time should I add?
Jessica says
Hi Patricia! So I’m guessing you’ll be using some sort of divider for the stuffing, yeah? (You can simple make a bowl out of foil and use that!) The turkey gives off liquid as it cooks, so if you just put the stuffing in with it, it ends up being a soggy mess! But if you divide it, it should work just fine! I don’t think you’d need to add any time too!
Tangee Wilson says
Found you through Buzzfeed. We are actually getting a ham and turkey breast from Boston Market. So the breast is fully cooked. I’d like to try your idea with the apples and such for heating. Do you think an hour on slow would do it? That way I can free up the oven for the ham and sides. Thoughts? Boston market has holiday dinners you simply heat and serve and since there are just a few of us I went that rout. Thanks in advance!
Jessica says
Hi Tangee! So it really depends on how large the turkey breast is. What I’d do is try an hour, and then use a food thermometer and check the temp. You’re looking for an internal temp of 140 degrees- that’s when food will taste hot. Hope this helps!
Kim says
My breast has netting on it. Would u remove the netting for cooking?
Jessica says
Yes, you’ll remove the netting before cooking.
Joann says
Hi Jessica, This looks really good. I always add apples and onions to my turkey breasts (bone-in, in oven) it just gives it flavor and keeps it so moist. My Aunt does a turkey breast in the crock pot (bone-in) and she adds carrots, onions, and celery to the bottom of the crock pot and then puts butter and seasonings and it is so moist and good (she also adds a bay leaf). But I just want to say I can’t wait to try yours, I may add some veggies to it though. Will let you know how it turns out. 🙂 Have a wonderful week. P.S. Gotta go shovel snow 🙁 .
Dee says
If I have a 6.35 lb turkey w bone in, how long should I keep this in the crock pot for??
Jessica says
First make sure the turkey will fit in your crockpot… then you’ll cook it until the internal temp is 165 degrees F.
Dee says
I have a skinless turkey breast. Does that matter or are the ingredients and cooking
time the same. It’s a 4 lb. breast.
Jessica says
Nope, it’ll be fine! I find the skin nearly always falls off prior to cooking anyways.