This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is perfect for a small Thanksgiving dinner or serves as an easy meal prep idea. Crockpot bone-in white meat turkey is easy and delicious!
If you are planning a small holiday meal, looking to meal prep for the week, or are just trying to eat more white meat, this recipe is what you’ve been looking for.
Why this recipe works:
First and foremost, this is a super easy recipe. This bone-in double breast of turkey took me no more than five minutes to prepare. You get to walk away and come home to the most amazing smelling kitchen. Similar to a slow cooker chicken breast but with your favorite Thanksgiving vibe!
Don’t let the bone intimidate you. The bones and everything that comes along with them are what will make the most tender, juicy, and flavorful turkey possible.
Everyone knows that the most delicious broths come about because of the goodness in the bones. Cook your turkey slowly for the best taste and tenderness and not only do you end up with moist and flavorful meat, but you’ll have a stock that can be turned into a delicious turkey gravy.
How to make this recipe:
The one thing that surprises everyone the most about this recipe is that you don’t add any liquid.
- This recipe starts by placing a large, thick sliced onion in the bottom of the slow cooker (photo 1).
- You’ll then place the turkey breast on top of the onion. I sprinkle a bunch of herbs and seasonings on top of the turkey (photo 2) and then drizzle some olive oil on top (photo 3).
- It’s important that you stick a good meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat (photo 4). Then, just close the lid and cook on low for 4-5 hours. The time will depend on how long it takes for your turkey to get to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Cooking tips for success:
- You can follow the same recipe to prepare a boneless turkey breast, however it will cook much faster and might not be as moist.
- The herbs and spices in this recipe give the turkey great flavor, but if you want to go the extra mile, mix up my One Spoon Dry Rub to use instead.
- When cooking large cuts of meat like this, I try to allow them to come to room temperature before cooking.
How long does this recipe take to cook?
- The time it takes to cook a bone-in cut of turkey completely depends on the size of the breast, whether it is bone-in or boneless, your cooking temperature, and your method of cooking, so it is impossible to tell you a standard time of how long it takes to cook.
- If you roast a bone in turkey breast in the oven at a high temperature, you can count on it taking about 2 hours. Using the low setting in the slow cooker, you can plan on it taking about 4-5 hours. If you’re using your electric pressure cooker, or Instant Pot, you can count on it taking about one hour using high pressure.
- The only way to know when a a large cut of meat like this is completely cooked is to check the turkey’s temperature. The turkey is done when it reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the breast meat.
- It is always best to loosely tent your turkey after cooking and allow it to rest for at least 15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
Leftover turkey recipe ideas:
Moms everywhere can save time with easy meal prep ideas and using things like leftover turkey creatively.
- Leftover Turkey and Wild Rice Soup – this is one of my most favorite soup recipes because it’s creamy and incredibly delicious. I purposely demand that there be leftover turkey just so I can make this soup. Whether you make an entire turkey for Thanksgiving dinner or you make just the breast as an easy meal prep idea, you’ll have the makings of a fantastic soup.
- Warm Turkey Sliders – slow cooker recipes go with fall just as much as game day recipes, and any leftover turkey is fantastic in these warm sandwiches.
- Leftover Turkey Salad – similar to everyone’s favorite chicken salad, but the breast meat and a few extra goodies turn it into a fall classic.
- Homemade Chicken Pot Pie (but with turkey meat instead of chicken) – because nothing says yum like pure savory comfort food wrapped in an all butter crust. You might want to make a slow cooker turkey breast just so you have a reason to make a pot pie!
- Perfect Cobb Salad – I crave this salad. It is definitely one of my favorite meals and a fantastic way to use leftover turkey.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave me a comment below to let me know what you think!
Pin this now to save it for later
Pin ItSlow Cooker Turkey Breast
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion sliced thick
- 1 double breasted bone-in turkey breast
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Place onion in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Rinse clean the turkey breast and place on top of the onion, breast side up. Top breast meat with paprika, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Drizzle olive oil over the top.
- Insert meat thermometer into thickest part of breast.
- Cover with lid and set the slow cooker to low for 4-5 hours. Continue to cook on low until internal temperature reads 165 degrees F.
Notes
Cooking tips:
- You can follow the same recipe to prepare a boneless turkey breast, however it will cook much faster and might not be as moist.
- The herbs and spices in this recipe give the turkey great flavor, but if you want to go the extra mile, mix up my One Spoon Dry Rub to use instead.
- When cooking large cuts of meat like this, I try to allow them to come to room temperature before cooking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally created in September 2015 and was updated with process photos along with more helpful information and cooking tips. Don’t worry – I didn’t change the recipe.
I used this same recipe on one of the frozen white/dark meat 2/3 lb butterballs that you can buy pre-frozen (4-5 lbs is a lot for one person!) and it works great. Also, I used this to make turkey and goat cheese sandwiches with some sun-dried tomatoes and a splash of balsamic vinegar–it was amazing.
Did you thaw out the roll first? I was thinking of using the slow cooker for the roll.
the roll?
I made this last year and everyone raved about how tasty and moist the turkey was. The flavor is yummy and the meat is so tender and not at all dry. I have made it several times now and it always comes out perfect. I have had to cook it a little longer for a larger turkey breast of course (so just allow for a little extra time if that’s the case).
Hi – do you remember how big your turkey breast was? I just one close to 6 lbs. Thanks!
I don’t! I’m guessing 4-6 pounds? -Krissy
When you put the meat thermometer in, Will the lid still be closed properly?
Hi Sharon, I use a digital one so the hard part fits entirely in the crockpot and only the cord goes under the lid. Not a perfect seal, but good enough. 🙂 Krissy
Think this is a silly question. You put the meat thermometer in right away. Does it let the close all the way or is there air coming in?
Can I but in a whole turkey in stead of a breast
Yes, but I am unsure of cooking times. Might want to stick a thermometer in the breast and cook til done. Krissy
Hey there,
Just wanted to know if there is a time to use for the high setting. I tried this recipe a month ago and went back to pick up another brest just so I can have it again. I love it. Due to schedule time constraints I can’t do the 4-5 hrs on low so I was wondering if there’s a good high setting cook time? Thanks much.
~Josh
Hi Josh, When I cook on high, the time is usually cut in half. Your best bet is to insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and remove it from the heat to rest as soon as the temp hits 165F. Thanks! Krissy
Can this be cooked in a pressure cooker & if so how long????
Thanks
Cindy
That’s a great question! I recently got a pressure cooker and have only used it once so I’ll be of no help (sorry), but you did give me a great idea! Thanks, Krissy
Yes you can use a pressure cooker. Depending on size, bone in or boneless.
Approximately 30-45
minutes
Hello, do you put any liquid in with the turkey to cook it?
Hi Judy Ann, Nope – just the onions! The moisture from the meat and onions is all you need. Be sure to not lift the lid while its cooking. Enjoy! Krissy
Add liquid ifvyou dont like onions
Definitely the best and most juiciest turkey breast I have seen. I so am wishing for some now.. you have cooked it to perfection.
Ihave a fully cooked 4and1/2lbs. smoked T breast. How long would it take for it to warm in crock pot?