This Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is without a doubt, this is the easiest, safest and tastiest way to cook turkey breast without brining. It’s moist and juicy, takes 3 minutes to prepare, then just leave it to cook in your slow cooker (crock pot). Then use the juices to make a killer gravy!
Even if you’re a first timer, you can have confidence in this turkey breast recipe. It’s a 5 star reader favourite with over a thousand glowing reviews!
Slow cooker turkey breast
Turkey breast is notoriously lean so the only way to guarantee it comes out juicy if you roast it in the oven is to brine it. If you don’t brine it, then even if you use a meat thermometer, it is extremely difficult to roast the turkey breast perfectly.
I created this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast after trying a handful of recipes for turkey breast and being disappointed by the bland looking skin, dry meat and mediocre gravy. So I tossed out everything I’d read and decided to come up with my own version using a slow cooker. This is by far the juiciest turkey breast I’ve ever had – without brining. And my friends agreed!
It’s almost magical how a recipe this simple can yield such extraordinary results. Moist turkey with incredible flavour and a gravy that’s off the charts!
How long to cook turkey breast in the slow cooker
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.
How to make slow cooker turkey breast
I promised you easy – and easy it is! Here’s how it goes down:
Slather turkey with a simple magical rub;
Place in a slow cooker on a bed of onion and garlic (these flavour the juices that comes out of the turkey and forms the basis for the gravy + keeps turkey elevated out of liquid while slow cooking);
Slow cook for 5 to 6 hours;
Briefly broil/grill or bake to crisp the skin; then
Use slow cooker juices to make a killer gravy. It’s incredible because it’s essentially made with the best homemade stock – the turkey juices!
PS That’s a multi function cooker you see. I use the slow cooker function for this recipe.
⚖️ Automatic recipe scaler ⚖️
Click or tap on Servings on the recipe. Then slide until the turkey reaches the weight of your turkey. It will change all the ingredient quantities for you! Then refer to the recipe notes for the right cook time for your turkey.
Slow cooker turkey breast tips!
Type of turkey breast – bone in or boneless turkey breast is fine. Skin on is recommended because the fat under the skin melts while the turkey is cooking and it bastes the turkey (helps with flavour and moisture). Also skin is required to get that lovely browned seasoned crust you see in the photos.
Single or double breast? Either is fine. These photos show a single turkey breast. See here for what a double turkey breast looks like (on the bone, also called a turkey buffe or turkey crown)
What size? Turkey breast differ drastically in size – they can range from 1.5/3lb to over 5kg/10lb! The beauty of this recipe is that it will work for any turkey breast size – as long as it fits in your slow cooker! Note the different cook times in the recipe.
A great rub goes a long way with turkey breast! It not only adds flavour, it seasons the broth and it gives the turkey breast great colour!
How long to cook turkey breast in the slow cooker – A 2 kg / 4 lb turkey breast will take about 5 to 6 hours on LOW in a slow cooker. See recipe notes for cook times for other sizes.
How to tell when turkey breast is done – When the internal temperature is 165F / 75C. That’s optimum perfectly-cooked juiciness, allowing for a slight temperature increase while the turkey rests.
Elevate the turkey breast with a halved garlic and onion to ensure even cooking because otherwise the breast will be half submerged and poaching in liquid (you will be amazed how much liquid the breast leeches while cooking)
Crisp the skin under the broiler. The extra flavour you get is worth it – and it only takes a few minutes
Use slow cooker juices for GRAVY – the turkey juices are loaded with flavour and are the best broth ever to make an absolute killer gravy!
Slow Cooking is FORGIVING! Because of the low temperature, there’s far less risk of drying out the turkey from overcooking. So even if the turkey is in the slow cooker for 1 or 2 hours longer than necessary, it will still be lovely. Plus – speaking really frankly – that gravy can save anything. ANYTHING!
Prefer ROASTED turkey breast? Use this Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast.
What to serve with turkey
Turkey breast is more often than not a centrepiece for holiday feasting in many households around the world. So with this in mind, here are some side dish suggestions for Thanksgiving and Christmas menus!
And you might also find these helpful: Thanksgiving recipe index and Easy Thanksgiving Menu suggestions
Traditional Thanksgiving sides for turkey
Christmas side suggestions
A safe recipe – even for first timers
I know it can be nerve racking, trying a new recipe – especially you’re new to cooking, and it’s a centrepiece for Thanksgiving or Christmas!
But you can have Confidence in this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe. It’s been viewed over 8 million times since I first published, there’s over a thousand fantastic reviews, it’s a simple recipe and there’s a recipe video below to guide you through it step by step.
Slow cookers are an extremely forgiving way to cook lean proteins because they use such a low heat so there’s a much bigger window in which the turkey is perfectly cooked (as in, 2 hours or so) compared to the oven (less than 20 minutes from perfect to overcooked-dry).
And in all honesty – worst case? Your turkey goes a bit over and it’s not quite as juicy as you hoped. Of course, I’m doing everything in my power to help avoid this – including sending over virtual positive vibes.😂
But if it does – don’t fret! That Turkey Gravy is so insanely good, it will totally make up for it! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
SLOW COOKER: Many people have said that my slow cooker looks like a pressure cooker. They are actually correct, it is a slow cooker and pressure cooker in one (but no, it is not an Instant Pot). It is called a Breville Fast-Slow Cooker (it’s an Australian product). I use the slow cooker function for this recipe.
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Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 2 kg / 4 lb turkey breast, skin on, bone in or boneless (if using frozen, thaw it) (Note 1)
- 1 head of garlic, cut in half horizontally
- 1 onion (brown, yellow or white), unpeeled, cut in half
- 5 sprigs of thyme (or 2 tsp dried thyme leaves)
Rub
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 5 grinds of black pepper
- 1 1/2 – 2 tbsp olive oil
Gravy
- Chicken stock/broth (or water), for topping up liquid (see Gravy step 1)
- 4 tbsp / 50g butter
- 1/4 cup / 35g flour
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place Rub ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine, it should be a wet paste.
- Pat the turkey dry all over with paper towels. Slather with the Rub, using most for the side and top.
- Place the garlic, onion and thyme face down in the slow cooker. Place the turkey breast on top so it is elevated.
- Slow Cook on LOW for 6 hours (do not use high) or until internal temperature reads 165F/75C when thermometer is inserted into the middle. Check internal temperature at 5 hours if you can. (To roast, follow this recipe).
- Remove turkey from the slow cooker (do not leave in slow cooker on Warm setting) and let it rest for 20 minutes before crisping the skin.
Crisp the Skin
- Preheat gril/broiler to high.
- Place an oven shelf 30cm / 1 foot from the heat source.
- Remove turkey breast from the slow cooker into a heatproof serving dish.
- Place on the oven shelf and broil for 3 to 5 minutes until the skin is crispy. Keep an eye on it – it browns very quickly!
- Serve immediately with gravy on the side.
Gravy
- Strain the liquid into a measuring jug, squishing the garlic etc to extract all the flavour. If you are short of 2 cups, top up with chicken broth (I usually get 2 cups of liquid from a 4 lb / 2 kg turkey breast).
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and mix to combine. Pour about 1/2 cup of liquid into the flour mixture and mix until it forms a paste. Slowly add remaining liquid, stirring as your go. Use a whisk if required to make the gravy smooth. Simmer until thickened – take it off before it is as thick as you want because it will continue to thicken.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with turkey.
Recipe Notes:
- 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
Nutrition Information:
Originally published November 2016. Updated for some housekeeping November 2019 – no change to recipe.
Life of Dozer
This is what a turkey coma looks like.
How do you defrost a turkey breast,mines is 6lbs each(2 turkey breast) I had them in the fridge since yesterday night,but seems to be still frozen. Please can someone help me
Hi Carla – you can speed up the defrosting process by submerging them in water. Please see the Thawing instructions in this post for directions: https://salesdock.info/genius-easy-juicy-roast-turkey-dry-brined/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Hey!
Quick questions, I ended up getting a 3lb Boneless Turkey Breast Roast….is this the same thing as a boneless turkey breast? Also, the manufacturer advises adding water when cooking in a crockpot…. do you think it will still work following your recipe without the water?
Thanks!
Hi Betsy! If it says that on the label it sounds like you got a pre brined turkey so yes it’s the same thing . But please see note 1 regarding pre-brined turkey. If your turkey label includes salt, then it’s been pre brined (I suspect yours has) in which case, cut the salt in half. If the turkey maker recommends water, then add just 1/2 cup – using a plain raw turkey you definitely do not need to because it drops enough liquid while cooking. Hope that helps! N x
If I am using two 4lb turkey breasts, how many hours do you suggest on low?
I think 8 hours on low should do it! But check the internal temp at 6 hours 🙂 N x
I have proctor silex roaster oven what temp should I use to slow cook the turkey breast
Hi Daniela – is it a slow roaster?? If so, 190F/90C is the temperature of slow cookers on low so I would use that. Also, place the turkey on a rack and put 1.5 cups of water in the pan – because the other major difference between ovens and slow cookers is that liquid does not evaporate in slow cookers. Hope that helps! N x
Could I add a little white wine for a boneless breast for added flavor and juiciness?
Hi Beverly! I think you’ll find the wine flavour gets lost because you’ll be amazing how much juice comes out of the breast while cooking 🙂 But if you really want to, stick to just 3/4 cup at most, otherwise you’ll end up with way too much liquid. If you can, put a rack in the bottom of the slow cooker as you’ll end up with more liquid and I don’t want your turkey braising while it cooks! N x
What kind of slow cooker is this? How is the turkey elevated over the onion and garlic?!
HI Brogan! It’s a brand called Breville, it also has a pressure cooker function so it’s kind of like an Instant Pot! But the slow cooker function is what needs to be used for this recipe – it’s just a normal slow cooking function. The turkey sits ON the onion and garlic so it’s elevated off the base of the slow cooker 🙂 N x
Can I use this recipe in the crock pot for a small whole turkey? My grocery store was out of turkey breast so I bought a 9 lb turkey that looks like it could fit in my crock pot.
ABSOLUTELY!!! Scale up the rub by clicking on servings then sliding until you reach your turkey weight. For a 9lb whole turkey, I think that will take about 8 hours on low in the slow cooker. Enjoy! N x PS the gravy will be amazing!
I’m wondering if I can prepare the whole thing the night before (turkey breast, onion, garlic, rub) in my crockpot dish (my crockpot has a dish that can be removed from the crockpot) and stick it all in the fridge overnight so that Thursday morning I can just pull it out and stick the dish in the crockpot, turn it on, and be good to go. Would this work ok or is this a bad idea?
It is a GREAT idea! It works really well, I’ve done it many times. Just make sure your rub is the right constancy so it’s paste-like (per video) so it stays on the breast and doesn’t just dribble off 🙂 I know some people have accidentally mis-measured the spices and had that problem! N x
the top of my turkey breast is pressed against the glass top of the crock pot- is that OK?
It will be fine! When I make giant ones, that happens to me too 🙂 N x
Same seasonings for a 2lb breast?! Help! Thank you!
Click on the servings and slide to your breast weight! It will change all the ingredients for you 🙂 N x
Move the slider to 2lb breast it will give you the correct measurements.
Used this recipe last year and absolutely loved it!! The best turkey I’ve ever fixed. I am cooking this again this year! Can’t wait!
It looks like you put the garlic and onions unpeeled with their paper skin on. Am I correct? Do you then blend it together skin and everything? Thanks!
Hi Lucy – you’re correct! The liquid is strained later, not blended. We squeeze all the flavour out of those onions and garlic and it ends up in our gravy! Leaving the skin on just holds them together better, but it’s honestly not a big deal whether the skin is on or off 🙂 N x
I used your recipe last time I cooked the turkey and OMGOSH.. it was the BEST turkey EVER and the gravy.. no one can beat it!! I was frantic trying to find the recipe again.. I sort of remembered but did not want to chance making an error..I was nervous when I made it last time..cutting garlic in half and the onion with all the peelings attached but WOW.. SO WORTH IT.. JUST HAD TO TELL YOU THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!
I WILL will never cook a turkey any other way ever!! God bless you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi! Planning on making this on Thanksgiving. I have TWO 2lb turkey breasts. Can I cook them both in my slow cooker at the same time or should I cook them one at a time?
Hi Kate! Together is fine if they fit side by side, even squished 🙂 N x
Can I use a frozen turkey breast or does it need to be thawed?
Must must must be thawed!!! Please do not cook turkey while still frozen. Thaw in fridge – how big is it?? When did you get it??
Can I stuff the breast before placing in crockpot. How much extra time should be added
Tie with string. Thanks
Hi Dee! How were you planning to stuff it – flatten and roll, or cut and stuff then hold together with string?? N x
Hello,
We are trying this recipe on Thursday and we are looking forward to it.I have a 5 Lb boneless turkey breast. It has netting should I remove the netting before cooking in my crock pot? Thanks for your advise.
Hi Barbara! Yes please remove the netting 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving! N x
Nagi, I’m working with a 7.75 lb. turkey breast, so I’m assuming to double the recipe? Also, what is your suggestion on how to cut the meat?
Hi Justin! Click or tap on Servings then slide to your turkey breast weight, it will change all the ingredients for you. Then cook per the cook times in the recipe notes. In terms of cutting the meat, I just slice it as shown in the video. I don’t do anything fancy! N x
Do i cook longer for a 9 pound turkey?
Yes! Please see recipe notes for cook times 🙂 N x
Hi Nagi, Oh my I am having so much trouble finding a Turkey Breast for Thanksgiving , one I did find but it is netted would that be ok for this recipe ?? Other I have found are those horrible packaged ones from Woolworth or Coles and are always stuffed with fruit or something lol , this recipe is a wine r for me so hoping if it’s netted still of to use , love Dozers pose also 🐶🐾
Hi Kristine! Mine are sometimes netted too. That’s totally fine, just make sure it’s not pre brined. If it’s pre brined ie salt injected, it will be in a plastic packet or box and it will say so on the label (it has too, it’s the law!) If you don’t have a label then you’re all good – it’s a plain raw turkey! N x
Thanks Nagi for that info, still trying to locate a butcher closer to me that can at least try and get one in as some of them don’t have them till closer to Xmas. Cheers