Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Turkey Breast
Juicy, tender bone-in turkey breast slow-cooked in rich garlic herb butter and savory pan juices, finished with velvety homemade gravy.
In a nutshell:This authentic american slow cooker garlic herb turkey breast comes together in just 4 hours 15 minutes with simple ingredients. The chef's secret: the bone insulates the meat, keeping it meltingly tender, while the skin locks in moisture. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.
This Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Turkey Breast is the ultimate stress-free centerpiece for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or cozy Sunday dinners. Slathered with a fragrant herb-garlic compound butter and slow-simmered over onions and celery, the meat emerges exceptionally juicy and tender without monopolizing your oven space. Pan drippings are whisked into a rich golden gravy.
Key Equipment
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- 6-quart Slow Cooker
- Small mixing bowl
- Carving knife and cutting board
- Saucepan for gravy
Chef's Pro-Tips
- Use bone-in, skin-on turkey breast: The bone insulates the meat keeping it meltingly tender, while the skin locks in moisture during slow cooking.
- Broil for crispy skin: After slow cooking, transfer the turkey breast to a rimmed baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes for shatteringly crisp golden skin.
- Rest before carving: Let the turkey breast rest on a cutting board for at least 15 minutes before carving across the grain so natural juices redistribute.
Ingredients
8
servings
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1 whole (5-6 lbs) bone-in skin-on turkey breast, thawed completely, patted dry
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½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
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5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
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1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
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1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
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1 tbsp fresh sage, minced
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1 tsp smoked paprika, for golden color and aroma
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1 large yellow onion, quartered to create a slow cooker trivet
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2 stalks celery, cut into chunks
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1 cup low-sodium chicken or turkey broth, poured into bottom of crockpot
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1 ½ tsp coarse kosher salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Aromatics & Slow Cooker
Place quartered onion and celery chunks in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth to form a bed for the turkey breast.
Mix Garlic Herb Butter
In a bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, sage, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir into a smooth compound butter.
Season & Slather Turkey
Pat turkey breast completely dry with paper towels. Loosen skin with your fingers and rub half of the herb butter directly onto the meat under the skin. Rub remaining herb butter generously over the outside of the skin.
Slow Cook to Perfection
Place turkey breast skin-side up on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
Crisp Skin & Serve
Carefully transfer turkey to a baking sheet and broil under the oven broiler for 3-5 minutes until skin is deeply golden and blistered. Rest 15 minutes, slice, and drizzle with warm strained pan gravy!
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
Kitchen EssentialsAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack
Warp-resistant aluminum for even browning, from sheet-pan dinners to cookies.
View on AmazonVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife
Razor-sharp Fibrox Pro blade that home chefs and pros both reach for.
View on AmazonTILUCK Stainless Measuring Cups & Spoons, 10-Pc
Stainless steel cups and spoons that measure precisely and last.
View on AmazonMercer Culinary Locking Tongs, 9" + 12"
Locking tongs in two handy sizes for the stovetop and the grill.
View on AmazonAmazon Basics Non-Stick Parchment Paper Roll
Non-stick paper for lining pans – easy release, easy cleanup.
View on AmazonWoodenhouse Teak Wooden Spoons, 10-Pc
Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.
View on AmazonOXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk Set, 9" + 11"
Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.
View on AmazonUltra Cuisine Stainless Cooling Rack Set of 2
Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.
View on AmazonUmite Chef Stainless Mixing Bowls with Lids, 8-Pc
Nesting stainless bowls with airtight lids, from prep to storage.
View on AmazonHamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer
Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.
View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Yes! A 3-4 lb boneless breast will cook in about 3 to 4 hours on LOW. Check with a meat thermometer starting at 3 hours.
LOW is strongly recommended (4-5 hours) for maximum tenderness and juicy meat. Cooking on HIGH can cause the breast meat to dry out.
Strain the slow cooker juices into a saucepan. Whisk in a cornstarch or flour slurry (2 tbsp flour whisked with 2 tbsp butter) and simmer for 3 minutes until thick and glossy.
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