Another one of my Family Friendly Crock Pot Recipes is that we enjoy all year long is my Crock Pot Turkey Breast recipe.
It's perfect for those times when you don't need a whole bird! It's a great choice for Thanksgiving when everyone wants white meat, or for smaller gatherings where a whole turkey is just too much.
In this post, I'll share tips and tricks for cooking a juicy, flavorful turkey breast, ensuring your holiday meal is a success no matter the size of your gathering.
Forget the elaborate roasting! A tender and flavorful turkey dinner is within reach with just three things: a turkey breast, your crock pot, and a few basic seasonings.
My family loves white meat so much that I always cook an extra turkey breast for Thanksgiving, to serve alongside our massive 25-pound roast turkey just to ensure everyone gets their fill!
Looking for more Easy Recipes for Thanksgiving? Check out my Crock Pot Stuffing recipe or my favorite Thanksgiving Pie Recipes.
Table of Contents
- How to Cook a Turkey Breast
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Ingredients
- Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Set the Crock Pot
- How do I know my Turkey Breast is done?
- How to Make Homemade Gravy
- How to Slice Turkey Breast
- Before You Begin!
- Serving Tips
- Storing, Freezing, Thawing and Reheating Tips
- Recipe FAQ's
- More Recipes to Love
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
How to Cook a Turkey Breast
- If your family loves crispy, golden browned skin, place the cooked turkey breast under the boiler for about 10 to 20 minutes or until the skin gets golden browned.
- I highly recommend using a bone-in turkey breast. The bone will give more flavor to the meat as it cooks.
- Make sure the turkey breast is completely thawed before putting it in the crock pot. Because of the size and thickness, you really shouldn't put a frozen breast in the crock pot. It may cook unevenly and not be safe. You can refer to my post, Tips on Thawing a Turkey Safely, for more information.
- A turkey is done when the thickest part of the turkey breast reaches 165 degrees F. Use a Digital Meat Thermometer to get an accurate reading.
- After the turkey has cooked, allow it to rest at least 10 to 15 minutes before carving so the juices will not run out of the breast.
- Save the liquid that collects in the bottom of the crock pot. Pour it through a fine sieve and use to make homemade gravy.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
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Ingredients
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
- 1 double breasted bone-in turkey breast; a 6 pound breast was used in this recipe.
- Poultry seasoning
- Broth
- Butter
- Flour
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Try using fresh rosemary or fresh thyme in place of the poultry seasoning.
- You can also experiment with different herb combinations like sage, oregano, or marjoram.
- If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs. Remember to use about ⅓ the amount of dried herbs as fresh.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Unwrap the turkey breast and rinse it under cold water. Pat dry and add to the base of the Crock Pot that's been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2: Sprinkle generously with the poultry seasoning.
Set the Crock Pot
Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or until the internal temperature reads 165°F.
How do I know my Turkey Breast is done?
Step 4: Once the turkey breast has reached an internal temperature of 165°F, remove it from the crock pot and cover loosely with aluminum foil while you prepare the gravy.
How to Make Homemade Gravy
Step 5: Strain the liquid from the crock pot. Measure it, and add enough broth to make 2 cups total.
Step 6: In a saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for a few minutes, until the raw flour taste is gone but the roux is still light in color. Gradually whisk in the broth until smooth, then bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
Step 7: Don't forget to taste the gravy and season with salt and pepper if needed. Once the gravy has thickened, reduce heat to a simmer and keep warm until ready to serve.
How to Slice Turkey Breast
While some prefer slicing turkey breast on the bone, I find it easier to remove the whole breast first, then slice it on a cutting board:
- Take a sharp knife and run down the center of the turkey breast as close as you can to the bone.
- Then slice under the turkey breast going towards the center bone. You're making an L shape in hopes of getting the meat off the bone all in one piece.
- Place the turkey breast on a cutting board to and slice across to get the beautiful perfect slices.
Before You Begin!
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Serving Tips
- Place the sliced turkey on a serving tray and then spoon a little of the delicious homemade gravy on top.
- I served this recipe with roasted potatoes and steamed green beans. Stuffing prepared as a casserole would be really good too!
Storing, Freezing, Thawing and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: Leftover cooked turkey breast should be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Place it in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze the turkey breast for up to 4-6 months.
Thawing and Reheating: Allow the frozen turkey breast leftovers to defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat turkey breast slowly in a 300°F oven with a bit of broth for moisture, or quickly in the microwave with liquid and a damp paper towel cover, using 30-second bursts. Avoid overcooking and ensure it reaches 165°F.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the plus sign (+) next to each question.
I do not recommend placing a frozen turkey or turkey breast in the crock pot. The center of the turkey is the last to defrost and the temperature may not get high enough to kill off any bacteria. It's always best to defrost the turkey before cooking.
You can use either a bone or boneless turkey breast for this recipe, however, I recommend a bone in turkey breast because of the flavor the bone gives.
Yes! I like to pass the liquid from the crock pot through a fine mesh strainer before making my traditional gravy.
More Recipes to Love
- Tips on Roasting the PERFECT Turkey for Thanksgiving
- Thanksgiving Pumpkin Centerpiece
- Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce made in the Instant Pot
- Last Minute Ideas for Setting the Table for Thanksgiving
- Easy Printable LEFTOVERS Container Labels - you really need to see these!
Leftover Labels $2.99Vintage Gratitude Cards $3.99Scripture Gratitude Cards $3.99
📖 Recipe Card
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Crock Pot Turkey Breast
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Turkey Breast
- 1 double breasted 6 pound bone-in turkey breast
- Poultry seasoning about 2 to 4 tablespoons
Ingredients for the Homemade Gravy
- Broth - 2 cups
- Butter - 2 tablespoons
- Flour - 2 tablespoons
Instructions
How to Make the Turkey Breast
- Unwrap the turkey breast and rinse it under cold water. Pat dry and add to the base of the crock pot that's been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
- Sprinkle generously with the poultry seasoning.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees F on a digital thermometer.
How to Make Homemade Gravy
- Once the turkey breast has finished cooking, pour the liquid from the crock pot through a fine sieve. Then pour the liquid into a measuring cup. If you don't have 2 cups, don't worry. Open a can of broth and add that to the liquid from the crock pot to get to 2 cups. You need to make sure the ratios are exactly 2 cups liquid, 2 tablespoons fat and 2 tablespoons flour.
- In a sauce pan melt the butter.
- Add the flour and allow it to cook in the butter for a few minutes. You want to cook the flour taste out of the roux. The longer you let the butter and flour cook together, the darker your roux will become. Since we're making a turkey gravy, you don't want the roux too dark.
- Finally add the broth to the butter/flour mixture and allow to come to a boil stirring constantly.
- Once the gravy has thickened, reduce heat to a simmer and keep warm until ready to serve.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Notes
- Take a sharp knife and run down the center of the turkey breast as close as you can to the bone.
- Then slice under the turkey breast going towards the center bone. You're making an L shape in hopes of getting the meat off the bone all in one piece.
- Place the turkey breast on a cutting board to and slice across to get the beautiful perfect slices.
This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2013 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. Also included in this update are instructions for how to make homemade gravy to serve with the turkey breast. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Sandy says
Looks delicious. Easy & just the way I like it.
Lois says
Thank you so much!
Linda Primmer says
Such an awesome idea. Most of us love turkey and this sounds easy. thanks so much for sharing at Love Your Creativity. I am happy to feature this on Sunday at Love Your Creativity.
Erica says
YUM! I love roasted turkey and like to eat it all year round. Thanks for sharing to Mix it up Monday.
Made In a Day says
Sounds easy enough! Thanks for the recipe! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on Pinned to my Thanksgivng board! Have a great week!
Kim
Cynthia Landrie says
Great recipe! Love the turkey. The potatoes look terrific too! Thank you for linking at the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party. Hope to see you again next week.
Lory Bernstein says
I had to click on this one, as Walking on Sunshine is pretty much my theme song... 🙂 This looks like a delicious and healthy meal! Well, maybe except for the dessert, but that just looks amazing!
Lory
Designthusiasm.com
Michele says
That sounds easy and delicious! Pinned and saved!
Bobbi @ 3GLOL says
This looks so delish! And so simple too...the way I like it!
Pinning it!
Thanks for sharing!
Jo-Lynne {Musings of a Housewife} says
Oh my yum! I am so trying this!
Miz Helen says
Hi Lois,
Your Turkey in the crockpot looks delicious! Thank you so much for taking the time during this busy season to share your wonderful post with Full Plate Thursday. Have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you again real soon!
Miz Helen
Cheryl King says
What a yummy way to have Thanksgiving in May! And a treat for a Thanksgiving anytime, especially for a smaller family. I never even thought to do turkey in a slow cooker, but what a great idea. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
Didi Dalaba says
Lois I have this in the crockpot right now with a boneless turkey breast!! Yum, it smells divine!!
Blondee says
I've never tried making a turkey breast or a chicken in the crock pot before. Great idea!
Marlys says
My husband will only eat turkey that is made in the crockpot and now it is the only way I make it. I use anise, ginger, onions and garlic as spices.
mickeydownunder says
G'day! I have made chicken in a crockpot previous which was VERY moist indeed, TRUE!
Now will have to put turkey on my list to do!
Cheers! Joanne
What's On The List
http://www.whatsonthelist.net
Vee says
It looks wonderful. And I do love the crockpot, especially on cold days and very hot days.
Beth says
The turkey looks delicious. I will have to try the recipe. Thank you.