How to Slow Cook a Moist and Tender Turkey Breast

As the holidays approach, many home cooks start planning their festive menus Often the centerpiece of a holiday meal is a beautifully bronzed turkey However, roasting a whole turkey can be time-consuming and require frequent basting. An easier alternative is to prepare just the turkey breast in a slow cooker. With minimal preparation, you can have a moist, flavorful turkey breast ready for your next gathering.

Benefits of Slow Cooking Turkey Breast

Slow cooking offers several advantages when cooking turkey breast

Requires little preparation. Simply season the breast, place it in the slow cooker, and let it cook unattended for 5-6 hours.
Turkey breast cooks gently and evenly in the moist environment of the slow cooker. This prevents it from drying out, ensuring tender and juicy meat.
Allows you to free up your oven for cooking side dishes. The slow cooker does the work for you.
Lets you infuse the turkey breast with lots of flavor from spices, herbs, vegetables, broths etc.
Provides flexibility. Cook the turkey in advance and reheat just before serving.
Forgiving technique. Even if turkey is in slow cooker longer than required, it will still be juicy.

Choosing the Right Turkey Breast

Turkey breasts vary greatly in size, ranging from 1.5 lbs to over 10 lbs. When selecting a turkey breast for the slow cooker, consider the following:

Bone-in or boneless: Both work equally well. Go with what best fits your slow cooker.
Skin on: Skin helps keep the breast moist and gives you the option to crisp it up.
Single vs double breast: Either type will fit in most 6-7 quart slow cookers. Double breasts may take a little longer.
Frozen vs fresh: If frozen, be sure to thaw completely in the refrigerator before cooking.
Pre-brined: Reduce added salt by half if using a pre-brined breast.

Seasoning the Turkey Breast

One of the joys of slow cooking is being able to infuse the turkey breast with layers of flavor. Here are some seasoning ideas:

Dry rub: Coat breast with a spice blend of dried herbs, garlic, onion, salt, pepper.
Fresh herbs: Stuff cavity with thyme, rosemary, sage. Coat outside with chopped parsley, chives.
Wet marinade: Soak breast overnight in a marinade of olive oil, citrus juices, garlic, spices.
Aromatics: Stuff cavity with lemons, oranges, onions, garlic.
Broth: Replace water with chicken or turkey broth.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for slow cooker success:

Prep the turkey breast: Rinse breast and pat dry with paper towels. Remove skin if desired. Trim away excess fat.
Season the breast: Apply a dry or wet rub all over breast. Stuff cavity with aromatics if using.
Prepare the slow cooker: Place aromatic vegetables like onion, carrots, garlic in bottom of slow cooker. Add 1/2 cup broth or water.
Add turkey and cook: Place seasoned breast on top of vegetables in slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Remove from slow cooker: Carefully transfer cooked breast to a cutting board and tent with foil. Let rest 15 minutes before carving.
Make gravy: Stir together broth from slow cooker with a roux to make gravy.
Crisp the skin: If desired, place skin side up under broiler for 2-3 minutes to crisp.

Handy Tips for Success

Elevate breast off bottom of slow cooker with vegetables or a rack.
Resist lifting lid to check; each time releases heat and moisture.
Use thermometer to test doneness; breast should reach 165°F.
Let breast rest before slicing for juicier results.
Make gravy from flavorful broth produced during cooking.
Finish under broiler or bake at 400°F to crisp skin if desired.

Serving Suggestions

A slow cooker turkey breast is very versatile. Here are some ideas for how to serve it:

As the main course for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
In sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing.
Diced in salads, wraps, soups or casseroles.
Sliced with gravy over mashed potatoes or dressing.
Added to pot pies or enchiladas for leftovers.

With minimal effort, you can have a picture-perfect turkey breast ready to serve a crowd or feed your family for days. Follow this simple guide for moist, flavorful results every time.

how to slow cook a turkey breast

Moist and Tender Turkey Breast in a Crock Pot

FAQ

Can you cook a turkey breast at low temperature?

To keep the turkey moist, it’s best to cook the turkey breast roast slowly, at a lower temperature. This will ensure that the turkey meat cooks as evenly as possible, slowly, for a longer period of time. In this recipe, the turkey breast is cooked at 300 F.

Can I slow down cooking a turkey?

Rather than waking up at the crack of dawn to roast the turkey, wait for it to be done, then bake the stuffing, etc., they roasted the turkey overnight on a very low heat. Slow cooking at its best.

Is it OK to slow cook turkey?

Many slow cookers cannot accommodate large turkeys, so USDA recommended cutting-up a whole turkey into smaller pieces, or using store bought turkey parts. The parts should always be thawed before placing them into a slow cooker. DON’T start cooking foods from the frozen state.

Is it better to cook a turkey low and slow or hot and fast?

The reason that turkey is so often very dry is that it’s overcooked. We want to slow cook the turkey. Don’t remove the turkey from the oven! Just reduce the heat.