My slow cooker turkey breast recipe makes juicy, flavorful turkey with golden, crispy skin, whether you're cooking a boneless or bone-in breast. A simple dried herb butter seasons the meat, while a quick trip under the broiler gives you the roasted finish that a crockpot can't deliver on its own.

A slow cooker turkey breast seasoned with herbs on a white plate, served with green beans and cranberries.

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Whether you are looking for a Sunday dinner recipe or a solution to your Thanksgiving turkey problem, this recipe for slow cooker turkey comes in handy. One of my top tips for buying a Thanksgiving turkey is not to go too big and instead, supplement with an additional turkey breast. But the oven is full and the slow cooker is coming to your rescue.

This is a practical way to make a holiday turkey without tying up your oven for hours. And you get homemade turkey gravy from the drippings, so nothing flavorful goes to waste. I even found a way to get you crispy falvorful skin.

📖Why My Recipe Works

Brining makes a difference. I prefer a wet brine over a dry brine for turkey breast. Since the skin won't crisp in the slow cooker anyway, there's no advantage to keeping it dry before cooking. The brine helps the meat retain moisture.
Seasoning goes under the skin. Rubbing herb butter only on the outside leaves most of the seasoning on the skin. Getting it underneath gives the meat itself more flavor.
Broiling delivers on texture. The slow cooker handles the gentle cooking, and the broiler takes care of browning. Paprika helps develop that golden color, which I found was lacking even after broiling without it.

Ingredients for slow cooker turkey breast displayed with labels: carrots, onion, chicken broth, turkey breast on a rack, butter, and bowls of thyme, garlic, sage, onion powder, salt, starch, and spices.

🧾Ingredient Notes

Turkey - Use a 4- to 5-pound boneless or bone-in turkey breast. Choose one with skin if you want the golden, broiled finish. Make sure it fits comfortably in your slow cooker.
Molasses - Adds a subtle depth to the wet brine without making the turkey sweet.
Butter - Softened butter is easier to spread beneath the skin. Using unsalted gives you better control over the final seasoning. Olive oil works as a substitute.
Paprika - I use regular paprika primarily for color, not heat. It helps the turkey develop a more appealing roasted appearance. It will make the drippings a little orangy-red so you can skip it if that bothers you.
Broth - Choose low-sodium stock, particularly if you're brining the turkey. You can use any chicken or turkey stock. In a pinch use a little water, you just need something to prevent burning at the bottom of the pot.

⏲️How to Make Turkey in a Slow Cooker

A white pot containing a dark liquid with ice cubes, a whole lemon, and garlic cloves for a slow cooker turkey breast.

Brining takes a little planning, but most of that time is hands-off. If your turkey is already enhanced with a salt solution or is Kosher, do NOT brine! Pre-brined turkey can become overly salty.

A glass bowl containing a seasoned butter rub next to a raw turkey breast prepared for a slow cooker, coated in the same rub on a wire rack.

Gently loosen the skin without tearing it. Spread half the seasoned butter directly onto the meat, then rub the remaining butter over the skin.

A seasoned slow cooker turkey breast surrounded by carrot chunks and onion slices.

Add the broth to the bottom of your pot. Arrange the onions and carrots on the bottom so that they form a shelf for the turkey to sit on.

A slow cooker turkey breast, roasted and resting on a metal baking sheet.

Transfer the turkey to a rimmed baking sheet. Place it approximately 8 to 10 inches from the broiler and broil until the skin is browned, watching closely to prevent burning.

Need a detailed tutorial on how to make the gravy? Follow the directions for my homemade gluten-free turkey gravy!

🥗What to Serve with Turkey Breast

For a smaller group, try my small batch mashed potatoes, French potato gratin, or miso glazed sweet potatoes. A roasted Brussels sprout salad, Tennessee onions, or honey rosemary parsnips make great vegetable side dishes.

Sliced herb-roasted slow cooker turkey breast garnished with fresh rosemary and thyme on a white plate.

👩🏻‍🍳Jen's Testing Notes

Do not pour the broth over the turkey. I learned that it washes away the butter and seasonings you just worked into place.
Don't rely on cooking time alone. A boneless turkey breast may cook faster than a bone-in breast, and slow cookers vary considerably. Start checking early with a meat thermometer to avoid dry, overcooked turkey.
For the best skin, pat the turkey dry before applying the butter and keep a close eye on it under the broiler. The difference between golden brown and burned can be a matter of minutes.

Did you enjoy making this recipe? Show it some love with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment! Hungry for more FLAVORFUL recipes?