BBQ-Rubbed Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
This Crockpot Turkey Breast recipe is ridiculously simple and flavorful. BBQ-rubbed with a simple blend of seasonings and spices then tossed in the slow cooker, it’s perfect for a holiday meal when you need to feed a smaller crowd. Let your crock pot do all the work for a busy weeknight meal, or make it on the weekend and use the leftovers for quick and easy dinners all week!
I’ve made no secret about the fact that I am the queen of “repurposing” leftovers. Sometimes it is as simple as an omelet or egg muffins using whatever I have in the fridge. Or just pulling out all the odd and ends, then shaking up some creamy balsamic dressing for Salad Bar Night.
Other times, though, I do make a meal with the intention of having leftovers to use during the week, especially on busy nights.
One thing I like to do is to buy a chicken or turkey breast that is larger than I actually need. Or I will even buy two, since, whether you are roasting chicken, smoking a turkey breast, or even buying a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken at Costco, once you are cooking and carving one, it is only a teensy bit more work to cook a second one at the same time.
Especially when you are making something as simple as this slow cooker turkey breast recipe.
How to make turkey breast in crockpot
Here is a brief overview so you can see just how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities and details.
But don’t skip my PRO TIPS below!
This BBQ-Rubbed Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe seriously could not be any easier. All you need is:
- One turkey breast – bone in, and about 4 to 7 pounds with any giblets removed
- Your favorite barbecue rub – this can be store-bought or homemade. In the recipe below I’ll share the one I used. Make a big batch so you can sprinkle it on any meat, seafood, or vegetables before grilling or roasting.
- Onion – cut into chunks that you can place underneath and inside the turkey breast.
And you’ll need a crock pot, obviously.
BRIANNE RECOMMENDS:
I like to use my Hamilton Beach 6 Quart Slow Cooker. It is large enough for a nice-sized turkey breast, and it comes with a temperature probe that I cam use to make sure the meat is fully cooked through to 165°F, but doesn’t overcook and dry out.
What to do
- Coat the turkey breast inside and outside and even under the skin with the rub.
- Place some pieces of onion inside the cavity and on the bottom of the slowcooker.
- Set the bird inside, cover, and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours.
The flavor of the rub just infuses through the meat, and it creates all of its own moisture. You don’t get the crispy skin, so if that’s your thing, then you’ll need to roast it. But if you are like me and toss the skin out regardless, this is totally the way to go.
What can you make with leftover turkey?
Remember how I mentioned being a Leftovers Queen? Here’s my tip. If you have a family that claims to hate leftovers, turn them into something completely different!
Sure, reliving Thanksgiving dinner a few times over the holiday weekend is fun, but on a regular basis, do you really want to have the same meal on Tuesday that you had on Sunday?
No! So switch it up – put the meat in a soup or pasta sauce, make some paninis or fancy pants grilled cheese, add it to pasta, or toss it into a frittata There are endless leftover turkey recipes and even recipes for leftover chicken that totally work if you swap in turkey breast instead.
Here are some ideas for leftover crock pot turkey breast:
- Autumn Cobb Salad
- Cranberry BBQ Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Turkey Club Quiche
- Kentucky Hot Brown Dip
How do you make crockpot turkey stock?
Whether you’ve made a slow cooker chicken or this turkey breast recipe, you can make poultry stock right in the same crockpot.
- After carving the bird, toss all the boned back in the slow cooker.
- Add carrots, celery, onion, and ant fresh or dried herbs you have around.
- Cover with water
- Set it on low and cook for 6-12 hours.
- Let cool, strain out the bones and other bits. Use a spoon to skim off some of the excess grease, then use as desired.
If you turn it on at night after dinner, the next morning your whole house will have the aroma of the most incredible stock. You can then freeze in 1 cup portions for use in other recipes. It makes cooked brown rice or quinoa more flavorful. And you can use it in soups like:
Make it a meal
Busy weeknight
- Barbecue Sauce
- Cheesy Quinoa or Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Cauliflower or Steamed Broccoli
Sunday supper
- Creamy Maple Dijon Dressing or Healthy Honey Mustard
- Cheesy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
- Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash
Small Thanksgiving dinner
- Cranberry Apple Cider Gravy
- Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Bacon
- Cinnamon Orange Cranberry Sauce
- Creamy Green Beans and Mushrooms
BBQ-Rubbed Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Ingredients
For the turkey breast:
- One 4 to 7 lb turkey breast, thawed and giblets (if any) and excess fat removed
- About 1/2 cup of All-Purpose Red Rub, or your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue rub
- One large onion, cut into chunks
- Gravy, Creamy Maple Dijon Dressing, or Barbecue Sauce for serving
For the All-Purpose Red Rub:
- 1/2 cup paprika
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
- 1/2 cu[ light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated garlic
- 6 Tablespoons granulated onion
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
For the turkey breast:
- Coat the turkey breast thoroughly with the barbecue rub, inside and out, pressing it to stick it to the meat and pushing some under the skin.
- Place the onion chunks inside the cavity and place the turkey skin side up in your slow cooker.
- Cook on Low for 5-7 hours, or until it reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Serve with gravy, maple Dijon or honey mustard sauce, or barbecue sauce.
For the All-Purpose Red Rub:
- Combine all of the ingredients and mix thoroughly in a large bowl, plasting storage bag, or storage container.
- Can be stored in a cool, dark place for months. Sprinkle over meats or veggies before grilling or roasting.
Nutrition
Enjoy!
More amazing meals with built-in leftovers:
- Apple Cider Braised Pork Roast by Magnolia Days
- Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf by All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
- Brined and Roasted Turkey by Growing Up Gabel
- Cider Braised Pork Belly by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Coffee Rubbed Ham by Curious Cuisiniere
- Roast Chicken by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken by In The Kitchen With KP
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
SIX dinners? That’s awesome!
Family Foodie says
I love that this was made in the slow cooker. I usually make pork or chicken, but turkey would be great! Yours sounds so good!
Brianne Izzo says
It worked so well!!
Susan says
Turkey breast in the slow cooker is a great idea and I love the rub you added to it!
Brianne Izzo says
I used the same rub on big chicken breasts i the crockpot tonight and it was so good too!!
Karen Hartzell (@InTheKitchenKP) says
I love a good turkey dinner. Time to break out the cranberries and try this recipe! 🙂
Alida says
The bbq turkey breast, broccoli and sweet potato you have going on here are one of my ultimate favorite meals! I need to invest in a slow cooker to try this, because this would be so easy to whip together and enjoy leftovers throughout the week.
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Love the idea of using the crockpot to do the stock overnight. I usually save the bones for making stock later, but then I often forget about them in the freezer and end up throwing them out anyway. Doing it right away would be so much better!
Camille says
I know this post is all about the turkey, but I can’t get past that decadent looking baked sweet potato! I’d be making lots of those to have leftovers! LOL
Brianne Izzo says
Haha, I only make baked sweet potatoes when I have time to have them i the oven for a full hour, at least!
Constance Smith @FoodieArmyWife says
Oh I love making broth from the “leftovers.” I mean there is so much flavor – why let it go to waste?
Brianne Izzo says
Exactly!!
Bea says
I love the ease of this dish – and cannot wait to try it 🙂
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks Bea! I hope you do try it!
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
I absolutely loooove that this is made in the crockpot! Never would have thought of using it that way, and now I can’t wait to!
Brianne Izzo says
It makes it so easy to have roast turkey or chicken without having to be at home!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
Making stock over night in the crock pot is brilliant! Why have I never thought of this before?! Thanks!
Brianne Izzo says
I don’t do it every time, but once you already have a crockpot full of flavor, you might as well use it!
Heather @girlichef says
This sounds delicious, Brianne, and I am right there with you, I would never pass up the opportunity for a free bird (or ham) during the holiday season. This looks so moist and delicious…the possibilities are swirling in my head!
Brianne Izzo says
The free bird never goes to waste, even if it doesn’t come out of the freezer till months later.
Liz says
I don’t know why I don’t roast a turkey breast more often…the family loves turkey and all your leftover ideas sound amazing!!!
Brianne Izzo says
Turkey breasts are great because you get that roasted turkey flavor without all the size and work and bones of a whole bird.
Renee says
I can’t wait to try this!!! I love, love, love turkey and the leftovers too.
Brianne Izzo says
Leftovers may be the best part!
Hezzi-D says
I’ve never made turkey breast in my slow cooker but now I need too! What a great way of cooking it. Plus the BBQ rub sounds incredible!
Brianne Izzo says
It makes it so easy! And the rubis great to have in your pantry. I’ve used it on lots of things.
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I never tried turkey in a slow cooker, Brianne great idea!
Brianne Izzo says
I’ve done lots of chickens this way, so it was a natural progression to try this.
The Ninja Baker says
Ah, the miracles of the slow cooker. Your family is very lucky to have such scrumptious meals served to them.
Also, your husband must be grateful you are his wife, Brianne. You’ve inspired me to save more money and take advantage of those free Thanksgiving turkey offers =)
Brianne Izzo says
The slow cooker was a lifesaver just before the baby was born – lots of leftovers to freeze! I wish I were always this good at saving money though 🙂