Cooking turkey breast in a crock pot, also known as a slow cooker, is one of the easiest and most foolproof ways to prepare juicy, flavorful turkey. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have a delicious home-cooked turkey breast ready with very little hands-on time.
Why Cook Turkey Breast in a Crock Pot?
There are several advantages to using a crock pot to cook turkey breast
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Convenience – Once you add the ingredients to the slow cooker, it does all the work for you No need to monitor it or tend to it while it’s cooking
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Moist and Tender Meat – The slow, even heat of the crock pot keeps turkey breast incredibly moist and tender. No dry turkey here!
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More Flavor – The long cook time allows seasonings and aromatics to thoroughly permeate the meat.
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Makes Amazing Leftovers – Crock pot turkey breast shards beautifully for sandwiches, casseroles, salads, and more.
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Frees Up Oven Space – You can use your oven for side dishes instead of roasting a turkey.
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Lower Temp Keeps Kitchen Cool – Unlike roasting, crock pots don’t heat up your kitchen.
Picking the Right Turkey Breast
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Bone-in or Boneless – Either works perfectly in the crock pot. Bone-in takes a little longer but has more flavor. Boneless cooks faster.
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Size – For a 6-8 quart crock pot, ideal sizes are 4-7 lbs bone-in or 2-4 lbs boneless. Size affects cook time.
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Quality – Fresh, organic, and free range have more flavor. Frozen works too, just thaw first.
Crock Pot Turkey Breast Ingredients
Crock pot turkey breast requires very few ingredients beyond the turkey itself. Here are the basics:
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Turkey breast – The star ingredient! Bone-in or boneless, fresh or frozen.
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Onion – Provides flavor and helps elevate the turkey above the liquid.
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Chicken or turkey broth – Keeps the meat moist and adds savory flavor.
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Herbs and spices – Garlic, rosemary, thyme, sage, pepper, and more season the turkey.
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Butter or oil – Coats the turkey to seal in moisture and facilitate browning.
Step-by-Step Crock Pot Turkey Breast Recipe
Follow these simple steps for foolproof crock pot turkey breast:
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Prep the turkey – Pat dry with paper towels. Combine melted butter or oil with desired herbs and spices. Coat the turkey all over with the mixture.
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Prep the crock pot – Place sliced onions in the bottom. Pour in broth. The onions lift the turkey up from the liquid.
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Add the turkey – Nestle the coated turkey breast on top of the onions in the slow cooker.
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Cook on low – Cover and cook for 6-8 hours on low until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Brown and finish – For crispy skin, broil for 5-10 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Crock Pot Turkey Breast Cook Times
Cook times vary based on a few factors:
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Bone-in – Figure 1-1.5 hours per pound on low. A 5 lb breast needs 6-7 hours.
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Boneless – Cook for about 1 hour per pound on low. A 3 lb breast takes ~3 hours.
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Size – The bigger the turkey breast, the longer it takes. Add time for extra large breasts.
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Temperature – High heat reduces time by about half, but can dry out the turkey.
Always rely on a meat thermometer to check for doneness rather than cook times. Cook until it registers 165°F internally.
Flavorful Seasonings for Turkey Breast
One of the best parts of crock pot turkey is infusing it with delicious flavors. Try these tasty seasoning combos:
- Garlic, rosemary, sage, thyme, salt, pepper
- Onion powder, paprika, dried parsley, oregano, garlic powder
- Chili powder, cumin, garlic, oregano, cayenne
- Lemon pepper, dried dill, garlic, mustard
- Brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic, cumin
Get creative with spices and herbs to make each turkey breast unique. Brine the meat or marinate overnight for even more flavor.
Making Turkey Gravy from Crock Pot Drippings
Don’t discard those flavorful turkey juices in the crock pot! Transform them into rich homemade gravy:
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Scoop out and separate the fat from the juices.
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In a saucepan, heat 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2-3 tbsp flour to make a roux.
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Slowly whisk in 1-2 cups turkey juices until thickened.
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Season gravy to taste with salt, pepper, herbs, and more turkey drippings if desired.
Serving and Storing Leftover Crock Pot Turkey Breast
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Allow the turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.
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Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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Reheat leftovers in the microwave, oven, or by simmering in broth or gravy.
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Slice or shred turkey for sandwiches, salads, casseroles, soups, and more!
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Freeze leftovers in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.
FAQs About Cooking Turkey Breast in a Crock Pot
Get answers to some common questions about making this easy recipe:
Should I cook turkey breast on high or low?
Low heat is highly recommended, as high can cause the edges to overcook and dry out before the center is done. Low and slow is best.
Do I need to add liquid to the crock pot?
Yes, at least 1 cup of broth is needed both for moisture and flavor. Turkey juice will also render out.
Do I need to brown the turkey first?
Browning isn’t required, but does add nice color and flavor. Quickly brown before slow cooking if desired.
Is frozen turkey breast okay to use?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw it completely in the fridge before cooking in the crock pot.
What sides go well with crock pot turkey breast?
Mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted veggies, cranberry sauce, and bread rolls are perfect complements.
More Delicious Crock Pot Turkey Recipes
Once you master basic crock pot turkey breast, try these flavorful recipe variations:
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Thai Turkey Breast – Coconut milk, red curry paste, ginger, lime
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Turkey Breast Ragu – Onions, carrots, red wine, crushed tomatoes
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Jerk Turkey Breast – Jamaican jerk seasoning, pineapple, bell peppers
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Italian Herb Turkey Breast – Rosemary, basil, fennel, garlic, white wine
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Green Chile Turkey Breast – Hatch chiles, cumin, oregano, garlic
The possibilities are endless for customizing crock pot turkey breast with global spices and ingredient combinations.
Conclusion
Cooking turkey breast in the crock pot consistently delivers tender, juicy meat with little effort required. With the simple tips in this guide, you can master this handy hands-off cooking method. Experiment with different seasonings, keep an eye on cook times, and enjoy delicious homemade turkey breast any night of the week.
