Crock Pot Turkey Breast

Name: Crock Pot Turkey Breast
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 360 min
Total time: 375 min
Ingredients: 4-5 lb bone-in turkey breast (completely thawed); 4 stalks celery; 2 onions (cut into chunks); 5 sprigs fresh thyme (or 3 tsp dried thyme leaves); 1 ½ tsp garlic powder; 1 ½ tsp onion powder; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp seasoned salt; ½ tsp ground black pepper; 4 Tbsp butter (softened); 2 c. broth from turkey; 4 Tbsp butter; 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour; ½ tsp ground black pepper; 1 tsp salt

5 from 20 votes

Jump to Recipe

By: Julie Evink12 Comments

Posted: 10/16/19

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Crock Pot Turkey Breast fuss-free way to having turkey for dinner! It also is great during the holidays because it frees up oven space. The end result is a tender, juicy turkey breast with homemade gravy that has a ton of flavor.

PIN IT HERE!

Contents show

Easy Turkey Breast Recipe!

If you think making a turkey dinner is a big hassle and only worth doing once a year at Thanksgiving keep reading! I’m showing you how to use your crock pot to make a juicy, tender turkey breast! You also get an easy gravy to go along with it.

You guys know how much I love my Crock Pot. I’ve used it to make Pot Roast and Chicken and Rice and now I am so excited to share this turkey breast recipe with you! If you are a crock pot fan then you are going to flip over this easy Crock Pot Stuffing.

My family loves turkey, but cooking a big old bird anytime other than Thanksgiving just seems like a big pain. That’s why I love turkey breasts – they’re small enough to fit in the crock pot and you don’t end up with days and days of leftovers.

We save the big turkey for Thanksgiving, but if you’re serving a smaller group for the holiday this Crock Pot Turkey Breast is a great option. It’s coated with a smoked paprika spice rub and cooked on celery, onions, and herbs so it has so much flavor.

What do I need to make Crock Pot Turkey Breast?

If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this delicious Apple Monkey Bread recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.

There are three parts to this Crock Pot Turkey Breast: the aromatics, the rub, and the gravy. Don’t be put off by the seemingly long ingredient list – I promise all of it is quick and easy!

Turkey and Aromatics:

Bone-in turkey breast, thawed
Celery
Onion
Fresh thyme

For the Rub:

Garlic powder
Onion powder
Smoked paprika
Seasoned salt
Black pepper
Butter

For the Gravy:

Broth from the cooked turkey
Butter
All-purpose flour
Black pepper
Salt

How do I make Crock Pot Turkey Breast?

Prepare the crock pot – spray a large (6-quart) crock pot with cooking spray. Place the celery, onion and thyme in the bottom of the crock pot.
Prepare the turkey – mix the ingredients for the rub in a small bowl. Rub it all over the turkey. Gently separate the skin from the meat and rub some under the skin, too. Place the turkey breast side down in the crock pot so it is resting on top of the vegetables.
Cook the turkey and crisp the skin – cook the turkey breast on low for 6 to 7 hours, or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees F. Remove the turkey from the crock pot and let it rest for 20 minutes. Once rested, transfer the turkey to an oven-safe baking dish and place it under the broiler until the skin turns golden and crispy.
Make the gravy – strain the juices in the crock pot into a measuring cup. It should be about 2 cups. If less, you can top it off with some chicken broth. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir until smooth. Add one cup of the broth and whisk until a paste forms. Add the other cup of broth and whisk until smooth. Add the salt and pepper and simmer the gravy until it’s thickened.

Tips for Making the BEST Crockpot Turkey Breast!

Choose a turkey breast that is approximately 4 to 5 pounds. It should fit well in a 6-quart crock pot.
Choose a skin-on, bone-in turkey breast. You will get a juicier and more flavorful turkey breast once it’s cooked.
Be sure to place the breast side down in the crock pot. This will ensure they turkey breast cooks evenly and all of the juices run into the breast meat so you have a juicy tender turkey breast.
Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of your cooked turkey. Insert it into the thickest part of the meat. You know when the turkey is done when the internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
Be sure to let your turkey rest before you crisp the skin. Resting it allows all of the juices to redistribute to they don’t all run out when you slice it.
I don’t recommend skipping the broiler step! Turkey cooked in a crock pot won’t develop a golden and crispy skin. Popping it under the broiler for a few minutes is the key to a beautiful (and delicious!) turkey.

How to safely thaw turkey?

The safest way to thaw turkey is in the refrigerator.
A 5-pound turkey breast will take approximately 24 hours to thaw in the refrigerator.
Keep the turkey breast in it’s packaging and place it in a baking dish to thaw. This will prevent cross-contamination if the juices leak out.
Once the turkey breast is thawed you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to two days longer before you cook it.

Can you overcook turkey in slow cooker?

Cooking a turkey breast on low in the slow cooker is practically fool-proof and almost impossible to overcook. Because the turkey breast is in a closed cooking environment the moisture is contained ensuring your turkey breast won’t dry out unlike in an oven where it is very easy to over cook it!

Can I leave slow cooker on for 24 hours?

Most slow cooker models can be left on for eight to twelve hours. There are some models that can be left on longer, but it depends on the kind of slow cooker you have. Always check your manufacture guide for guidance on how long you can leave your slow cooker on.

How do you cook wild turkey?

Depending on the size of your wild turkey you can use your crock pot to cook it the same way you would for one from the grocery store. Like all turkey, cook the wild turkey until it’s internal temperature is 165 degrees F.

How long does a 13.5 lb turkey cook?

It will depend on the oven temperature, but a turkey takes approximately 15 minutes per pound to cook at 325 degrees F. So, a 13.5-pound turkey would take approximately 3 1/2 hours. Remember, the best way to know if your turkey is cooked through is to check it with a meat thermometer. Its internal temperature should be 165 degrees F.

Can you cook a turkey breast frozen?

I haven’t tested this recipe using a frozen turkey breast so I can’t say exactly how long it would take to cook or how it might turn out. That said, you can cook a frozen turkey breast but you would need to add approximately 50% more cook time. So, for a slow cooker turkey breast, it could take 9 to 10 1/2 hours on low. Again, this is just an estimate since I have not tested it. If you try it please let us know in the comments how it went!

Juicy, tender chicken with a flavorful gravy all done with the crock pot! Whether you make this next weekend or for Thanksgiving you’re going to love how easy this turkey breast is to make! Of course, what is a turkey dinner without some sides? Be sure to check out some of our favorites!

What should I serve with Crock Pot Turkey Breast?

What should I do with leftover turkey?

WATCH THE STEP BY STEP VIDEO FOR THIS CROCK POT TURKEY BREAST RECIPE BELOW:

If you enjoy watching these videos make sure you subscribe to my YouTube Channel to be notified each time a post a new video!

I’d love it you would rate this recipe!! A five-star rating will make my day!

Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats that way I’m sure to see your pictures!!

Meet Julie Evink

I'm here to help you win in the kitchen again! Life is Busy, Life is Crazy, but that doesn't mean you can't make your family dinner! Julie's goal is to provide you with easy, family, friendly recipes that use pantry staples. Dinnertime will be stress free again!