Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

5 from 1 vote
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Dry-rubbed with a simple but flavorful blend of spices, this juicy slow cooker turkey breast brings bold BBQ flair to a beloved dish. The tender meat practically falls off the bone, and the seasoning blend packs flavor into every bite.

The Best Crock Pot Turkey Breast Recipe

Rubbed with BBQ seasonings and tossed in the slow cooker, this turkey fits just as well in your Thanksgiving spread as it does on any old Thursday. Either way, the recipe pretty much makes itself, giving you a chance to relax. 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!

The best thing about making turkey in the Crock Pot is the way it traps moisture, locking in the turkey’s juices and letting the rub really sink into the meat. While this turkey may not have the same crispy skin as a turkey roasted in the oven, it makes up for it with tenderness and flavor.

Turkey, green beans and roasted squash on a plate.

What You’ll Need

With only 3 ingredients, this recipe is ridiculously simple. You can find exact amounts for everything if you scroll to the printable recipe card below.

  • Turkey Breast: Bone-in, with any giblets and excess fat removed.
  • All-Purpose Red Rub: Or your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue rub.
  • Onion: Cut into chunks.
The ingredients for Slow Cooker Turkey Breast set out on the counter.

Can I Use Frozen Turkey?

You can use turkey that was previously frozen, but you don’t want to pop a turkey into the slow cooker when it’s still frozen solid. Living up to its name, the slow cooker cooks things slowly, meaning a frozen turkey will stay in the unsafe temperature range too long. This opens up the door for bacteria to grow. Instead, thaw the turkey fully in the fridge before beginning this recipe.

A dry rub being spread over a turkey breast.

How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

This slow cooker turkey recipe really couldn’t be any easier. After just 10 minutes of active prep, you can kick back and let the Crock Pot do the rest.

  • Season the Meat: Coat the turkey breast thoroughly with the barbecue rub, inside and out. Press the rub in so that it sticks to the meat, until some gets under the skin.
  • Add the Onions: Arrange the onion chunks inside the cavity behind the breast and place the turkey skin-side up in your slow cooker.
  • Slow-Cook the Turkey: Cook the turkey on low for 5-7 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Serve: Remove the turkey from the pot. Serve it with a gravy or sauce of your choice.

Tips for Success

Slow-cooking turkey is pretty much foolproof, and this recipe has always turned out perfectly for me. Here are some tips to help you get the same results.

  • Choosing a Turkey Breast: You want to use a turkey breast in this recipe that has the bone still in and the skin still on. Both of these things help to keep your turkey breast moist and tender. The skin traps in the juices, allowing the turkey to baste itself, while the bone lets out moisture into the surrounding meat.
  • Finish Under the Broiler: If you like a crispy skin on the outside of your turkey, go ahead and stick it under the broiler for a bit after taking it out of the pot. Letting the skin crisp up adds a nice layer of flavor and helps to activate some of the spices.
A slice of turkey about to be lifted from a plate of other slices.

Make Your Own BBQ Rub

Making a big batch of All-Purpose Red Rub opens up so many opportunities to save time in the future. This seasoning blend can be stored in a cool, dark place for months. Sprinkle it over meats or veggies before grilling or roasting them.

  • 2 Tablespoons paprika
  • 2 Tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons onion powder
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • And a pinch of cayenne pepper

Make It a Meal

The drippings left over in the Crock Pot make a flavorful base for gravy, like this Cranberry Apple Cider Gravy. As far as sides, I love to pair it with one starchy side and one vegetable side. I especially like making Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash to go along with it, because this side dish offers both! It’s also great with Cranberry Orange Glazed Green Beans and Gluten Free Crescent Rolls.

Gravy being spooned out over a slice of turkey breast.

Storage and Reheating

Because it’s such a lean meat, turkey loses a lot of moisture very quickly. You can keep it in the fridge covered tightly with plastic or sealed in an airtight container for up to 3 days, but it won’t be as juicy reheated. The best way to enjoy turkey the next day is to incorporate it into another recipe that adds moisture and flavor.

What to Do With Leftover Turkey

Slices of reheated turkey breast almost always come out drier and tougher than when they’re fresh. Luckily, there are so many ways to reuse this turkey aside from eating it plain. Try putting the meat in Turkey Pot Pie Soup, making some paninis, or tossing it into a Turkey Swiss Quiche. There are tons of leftover turkey recipes that you can try for yourself.

Can I Freeze This?

Slow cooker turkey breast actually freezes really well! Just make sure to remove it from the bone and seal it tightly in a double-lock freezer bag. It should stay good for up to 3 months.

A sliced turkey breast coated with seasoning on a cutting board.

What size Crockpot do I need?

In order to fit a bone-in turkey breast, you are going to need one of the larger models. I use a 6-quart slow cooker, and I have the Hamilton Beach Set and Forget Slow Cooker. Using the thermometer and programming it to cook to 165°F is an easy way to ensure it cooks fully to a safe temperature but stays moist.

A close-up of a slice of turkey breast on a plate.
5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Dry-rubbed with a simple but flavorful blend of spices, this juicy slow cooker turkey breast brings bold BBQ flair to a beloved dish. The tender meat practically falls off the bone, and the seasoning blend packs flavor into every bite.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 7 hours
Total: 7 hours 10 minutes

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

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:

Instructions

  • 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.

Notes

  • To Store: Keep in the fridge covered tightly with plastic or sealed in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 
  • To Freeze: Remove from the bone and seal tightly in a double-lock freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Amount Per Serving (3 oz., cooked)
Calories 258 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Cholesterol 138mg46%
Sodium 526mg22%
Potassium 617mg18%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 55g110%
Vitamin A 51IU1%
Calcium 36mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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30 Comments
  1. 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.

  2. 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!

  3. 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

  4. 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!

  5. 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 =)

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