This turkey breast is seasoned to perfection, then cooked effortlessly in a slow cooker! It's tender, juicy and absolutely delicious!

Jump to:

• What's in Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
• How to Make Crockpot Turkey Breast
• Tips for Cooking the Perfect Turkey
• Can You Freeze Cooked Turkey?
• What do you Serve with Crockpot Turkey Breast?
• Cooking Times for Turkey Breast in Slow Cooker

Let's face it! Who doesn't love crock pot recipes. They're a wonderful answer for those busy weeknights when standing over the stove is just doesn't seem appealing.

The busy life get, the more I have fallen in low with my slow cooker. And, after creating my own version the the famous Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast and these amazing Crock Pot BBQ Meatballs, I was determined to find a way to make the BEST crock pot turkey breast and boy did I nail!

This crock pot turkey breast is perfect for those times when you either don't need a whole turkey or you simply don't have time to fuss over an oven baked breast.

With a simple brine, this turkey breast recipe is perfect every single time with no worry about it turning out dry and over cooked.

If you've never tried cooking turkey breast in a crock pot, you are in for such a treat. With this set it and forget recipe, you can have a healthy low carb meal any day of the week.

What's in Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

• 4-5 pound turkey breast, bone in, skin on
• Chicken broth
• Onion
• Carrots
• Celery
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Sage
• Thyme
• Butter
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic salt
• Onion powder
• Ground pepper
• Xanthan gum
• Water
• Salt
• Lemon
• Orange

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

How to Make Crockpot Turkey Breast

To Brine the Turkey

Add all the brine ingredients to a large bowl or pot, that's large enough to hold your turkey breast submerged in the brine.

Cover and chill in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight.

To Make the Turkey Breast

Remove the turkey from the brine and pat it dry.

Spray the insert of your slow cooker with nonstick spray.  Place the carrots, celery, onion and garlic in the bottom of your slow cooker insert.  Pour in the chicken stock with the optional sprigs of sage and thyme.

Add the sage and thyme in a bowl with the butter and stir to combine. Rub ½ the butter mixture under the turkey skin on each side. Then pat the outside skin with paper towels until completely dry. 

In a small bowl, mix together the garlic salt, pepper, onion powder, smoked paprika and olive oil.  Rub the mixture all over the outside of the turkey, then place in the slow cooker, on top of the vegetables, skin side up.

Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, when checked with a meat thermometer.

Remove the turkey breast from the slow cooker and place in a baking dish that’s been sprayed with nonstick spray.  Broil for 3-4 minutes or until the skin has crisped up nicely.  Watch it closely, because it can go from crispy to burnt quickly. Allow the turkey to rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing, while you make the gravy.

To Make the Gluten Free Turkey Gravy

If you are following a low carb diet, guess what? This turkey recipe includes a savory gluten free gravy that will rival any regular gravy! It's just that good.

Take the drippings from the crockpot and strain in a fine mesh sieve, pressing out all the liquid and flavor from the vegetables. Pour into a saucepan and heat to medium high. 

Once it comes to a simmer, add in the 1 tablespoon of butter. 

Once the butter melts, whisk in the xanthan gum and continue cooking until thickened to your liking. Serve over your sliced turkey.

Tips for Cooking the Perfect Turkey

• Brine, brine, brine: There are plenty of low carb turkey breast recipes out there that just plop the turkey breast in the crockpot and start cooking it. But, please trust me when I tell you brining is where the BEST turkey breast is found. Why should you brine your turkey breast? Brine includes salt and salt changes up and softens the turkey tissue, so that it can absorb more of the flavored water.

• Check the temp: Nothing is worst than an over cooked turkey. Believe it or not, that can even be the case for crockpot turkey breast, though it is less likely in an oven baked breast. Invest in a meat thermometer! It is on of the best kitchen tools you'll ever buy. You are looking for a temperature of 165°F, when a thermometer is inserted into the center of the breast.

• Give it a rest: The smell of this turkey recipe will have all the mouths watering in your home. So once the cooking time is up, it may be tempting to cut right into it! Don't do it! Let it rest for at least 15-20 minutes before carving. This will allow the juice to redistribute throughout the breast.

• Flavor is everything: Turkey, much like chicken, is a blank canvas for flavor. So, don't be afraid to be generous with your seasonings. By adding seasoning to butter, then rubbing it under the skin, it allows the flavors to slowly seep into the meat and provides it with an amazing flavor.

Can You Freeze Cooked Turkey?

Freezing leftover turkey is great idea! It the perfect idea for fast easy dinners on busy weeknights. And the great news if there are two main ways to do so.

• With the broth: Place slices of your turkey breast back into a freezer bag or a freezer safe air-tight container, add broth from the slow cooker until the meat is covered, then stick in the freezer for up to several months. This is my personal favorite way to freeze leftovers.

• Without the broth: You accidentally threw out the broth? OH NO! I am kidding, don't worry. Just place slices of the turkey on a sheet pan and place it in the freezer for about 45 minutes to an hour. You want to flash freeze it before placing it in a bag or container to continue freezing. One advantage to doing this is you can take out the portions you need, without having to thaw thee entire container.

What do you Serve with Crockpot Turkey Breast?

That is SO easy to answer! ANYTHING! Turkey goes with just about anything you'd like. If it's for Thanksgiving and you're looking for easy but delicious Keto recipes to serve with it, this Sausage Herbed Stuffing with homemade Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce.

This turkey breast recipe is so easy, it doesn't just have to be for the holidays. Here are some wonderful and most popular low carb sides that are great year round:

• Shredded Brussels Sprouts
• Creamed Spinach
• Grilled Broccolini
• Green Beans Almondine
• Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

Cooking Times for Turkey Breast in Slow Cooker

If you do a lot of crock pot cooking, then you've probably noticed each one cooks a little differently. This recipe used a 5 pound turkey breast and it took approximately 5 hours on low. For planning purposes, here are some general cooking guidelines you can follow.

If you know your slow cooker seems to cook a little slower than most recipes call for, then add 15 minutes to each of these times.

• 2lb turkey breast – 2-3 hours
• 3lb turkey breast – 3-4 hours
• 4lb turkey breast – 4-5 hours