Crockpot Turkey Breast

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This juicy slow cooker turkey breast is packed with flavor! I season this turkey breast with a smoky spice rub before leaving it to cook for hours until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender.

Looking for another easy alternative to roasting turkey in the oven? Try my air fryer turkey breast, too!

A seasoned turkey breast sliced up on a cutting board.
  • Cuisine Inspiration: American
  • Primary Cooking Method: Slow Cooker
  • Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free
  • Skill Level: Easy

Why I Love This Crock Pot Turkey Breast Recipe

Rubbed with smoky seasonings and cooked for hours, this slow cooker turkey breast recipe is the most tender, irresistibly savory turkey meat I’ve ever tasted. Cooking this turkey in the crock pot locks in the flavor and juices. This recipe even rivals my whole roasted turkey in tenderness and flavor. I don’t even miss the crispy skin!

  • Full of flavor. My slow cooker turkey breast is super simple to make, but it packs in LOADS of bold and smoky flavor thanks to a savory BBQ spice rub. It’s easy to mix the seasoning from scratch, or you can use your favorite store-bought dry rub.
  • Super juicy. While I love the golden, crisped-up skin that comes with oven-roasting turkey breast, nothing beats the tenderness and flavor in this slow cooker turkey. It cooks until the meat falls off the bone, infused with all the flavors of the spice rub. Plus, a quick broil afterward is all this turkey breast needs to get the outside seared!
  • Convenient. Leave the work to your crock pot on weeknights, or make this turkey breast on the weekend and enjoy leftovers for quick and easy dinners throughout the week. Cooking turkey breast in the slow cooker is also a great way to save on oven space during the holidays!
Turkey, green beans and roasted squash on a plate.

What You’ll Need

With only 3 ingredients, this recipe is ridiculously simple. You’ll find the full recipe with the exact amounts in the printable recipe card below the post.

  • Turkey Breast – I use bone-in turkey breast as it’s best for slow cooking. Remove the giblets and trim off any excess fat before you start.
  • All-Purpose Red Rub – Most red rub recipes combine savory spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin with brown sugar for a bit of sweetness. You can also use your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue rub (I include my easy recipe later in the post).
  • Onion – Cut into chunks.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Turkey Breast.

Can I Use Frozen Turkey?

Unfortunately, no. You should never cook a frozen turkey in a slow cooker. Since the slow cooker cooks things slowly (living up to its name), frozen turkey breast will stay at an unsafe temperature for too long, risking foodborne illness. If you have frozen turkey breast, make sure to thaw it completely in the fridge before adding it to your crockpot or slow cooker.

Easy Homemade Red Rub

I love making a big batch of all-purpose red rub. It’s a great way to save time with this and other future recipes! This homemade seasoning blend can be stored in a cool, dark place for months. Sprinkle it over everything from chicken legs to ribs and veggies before grilling, roasting, or slow cooking. Here’s how to make it:

  • Combine the spices. Add paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt to a bowl. Whisk that together until it’s well combined.
  • Use or store. Use what you need right away, and store the rest of the red rub in an airtight jar or container. Keep it in a cool, dry place, like a pantry for up to 6 months.

How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

This slow cooker turkey recipe really couldn’t be easier. After just 10 minutes of active prep, you can kick back and let the Crock Pot do the rest. Check out the steps here, and scroll to the recipe card for printable instructions.

  • Prep the turkey breast. First, coat the turkey breast thoroughly with the barbecue rub. I like to use my hands to press it into the skin, getting all the nooks and crannies.
  • Stuff with onions. Afterward, tuck the onions inside the cavity behind the breast. Place the turkey skin-side up in the slow cooker.
  • Cook. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the breast.
  • Serve. Transfer the turkey breast to a platter, and serve with gravy or any sauce you’d like! See below for ideas.
A whole turkey breast sitting on a cutting board.

Recipe Tips

  • Choose the right turkey breast. I recommend bone-in, skin-on turkey breast for this slow cooker recipe. The bone keeps the turkey breast moist and tender, while the skin traps the juices, allowing the turkey to baste itself. Boneless turkey breast will work, but keep in mind that the cooking time will be shorter.
  • Really rub the spices in. The best way to season this turkey is to get in there with your hands and work the dry rub all over and into the skin. Thoroughly coating the meat is key!
  • Finish under the broiler. If you like a crispy skin on the outside of your turkey breast, after slow cooking, pop the whole breast under the broiler for a few minutes. Crisping up the skin brings out the flavor of the spice rub.

What Size Crock Pot 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 slice of turkey about to be lifted from a plate of other slices.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Turkey

  • Refrigerate. Keep any leftovers in the fridge covered tightly with plastic or sealed in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Turkey is a lean meat that tends to lose moisture very quickly, so it won’t be as juicy reheated. I love using leftover turkey in soup, paninis, turkey Swiss quiche, or any of my leftover turkey recipes.
  • Reheat. If you do reheat your turkey breast, wrap it in foil and warm it in the oven at 350ºF until the meat is hot throughout.
  • Freeze. 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.
Gravy being spooned out over a slice of turkey breast.

Make It a Meal

Whether I’m making this slow cooker turkey breast for the holidays or Sunday dinner, I like turning the drippings left over in the crock pot into a flavorful turkey gravy and serving it with my favorite gluten free Thanksgiving side dishes. Here are some of my favorites…

More Slow Cooker Recipes

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

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

This juicy slow cooker turkey breast is seasoned with a smoky BBQ dry rub and cooked for hours until fall-apart tender. Every bite is packed with bold, savory flavor!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 7 hours
Total: 7 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients

For the turkey breast:

  • 1 4-7 pound turkey breast, thawed and giblets (if any) and excess fat removed
  • 1/2 cup (approx.) All-Purpose Red Rub, or your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue rub
  • 1 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.
Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.

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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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