Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, never pay for turkey deli meat again!
Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is right in line with how I roll with my slow cooker. If you’ve been following along with the slow cooker posts on the blog you know that every one of my posts (I’m racking my brain here to make sure this sentence isn’t a lie right now! Haha) is meat. Not a soup or stew or saucy concoction you may immediately think about when you think “slow cooker” but 90% of the time it is for simple crispy meat recipes.
Some similar recipes to this Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast:
- Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey Thighs
- Crispy Slow Cooker Chicken
- Crispy Slow Cooker Corned Beef
- Crispy Cracklin’ Pork Shoulder
- Hawaiian Luau Pork (Yes! Crispy on the sides, the top has a protective cap of fat)
Worried cooking in the slow cooker won’t give you a tender, juicy turkey breast? Look at this, tender, juicy meat and look at how thin and browned that skin is. It came out as crispy as it would in the oven.
So you could say I’m a fan of crispy slow cooker meals. This Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is no exception, and for the second time I’m honored to be working with the non-profit National Turkey Federation to bring you this crispy turkey deliciousness.
The National Turkey Federation is a non profit trade association in Washington, D.C. (yay for our old stomping grounds!) that works to strength the turkey farmers’ ability to responsibly provide wholesome products, raise awareness about how turkey can be a healthy, delicious and easy source of protein. Visit them on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about their efforts and to check out any of their over 2000 turkey recipes!
Why am I cooking turkey in the Summer?
Well aside from the fact it is super easy to make, doesn’t warm up my kitchen at all (slow cookers for the win!) and makes lunch time a breeze… Turkey dishes are super healthy and low in fat while being high in protein and keeping me full longer. Did I mention the health benefits of not buying processed meat products? This recipe is a win win.
How am I using turkey in recipes?
Everywhere! I add this turkey breast to sandwiches, to salads in cubes, in baked pastas and in enchiladas last night! Turkey is an easy swap for any protein you normally cook with, and the health benefits of swapping red meat for turkey are pretty clear.
Plus if you check back in tomorrow you’ll see exactly how awesome this sliced Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is in the best turkey sandwich you’ll ever have. Some have even said this sandwich was the only good thing in their life. Well…until a coworker ate their sandwich. 😉 Yes, my Friends, tomorrow I bring you the Moist Maker in all its glory.
Pssst. I also had a list of ten different seasonings/flavors you could add to the Slow Cooker Turkey Thighs
So please, take a shot on this recipe! All you really need is some bone in-skin on turkey breast and you’re on your way to an awesome dinner for 8 or a two weeks of delicious lunches!
Tools Used in this Recipe:
Slow Cooker – I use this slow cooker about half the time (I have to admit I have four slow cookers) and love the thermometer it comes with.
All Clad Slow Cooker – This is the slow cooker I used in this recipe. No, you don’t need this fancy slow cooker. It was a very generous wedding present to me and we love it, but using the one above will give you fantastic results as well.


Ingredients
- 1 Turkey Breast , skin and bone on (5-6 pounds)
- Kosher salt
- Cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Add salt and pepper to taste (I do about 1 teaspoon Kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper).
- ADD NO LIQUIDS AT ALL.
- Put the turkey skin side up and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
- If you have any issues with the skin crisping, you can brown under a broiler, six inches from the heat, for 1-2 minutes or let it cook with the top slightly opened for the last hour to let any steam escape.
Nutrition
Don’t forget to visit the National Turkey Federation on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about turkey, its amazing healthy benefits and of course to check out any of their over 2000 turkey recipes!
This recipe came out great. Perfect for an easy dinner.
Thank you Lisa. We have alot of Turkey recipes on the site for you to peruse! https://dinnerthendessert.com/?s=turkey
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and my husband’s family is hosting. There are hardly any leftovers and having a turkey, mashed potatoes, & cranberry sandwich later that night or next day is a childhood tradition I miss. so I bought a small breast to have my own “leftovers”. I want to combine the seasonings from your Oven Roasted Turkey Breast but cook it per this crockpot recipe. I have a few questions:
1. Will I get crispy skin if I put the butter & herbs under the skin like in the oven roasted recipe? (I definitely want crispy skin!)
2. My breast is only 3lbs. How long should I cook it in the crockpot?
Thank you!!
I’m so sorry I missed the questions in this comment. I would cook on low for 5 hours, then place onto a baking sheet and crisp up for 10-15 minutes in a hot oven, maybe 425 degrees.
I tried your slow cooker spiral ham recipe and it was the best I had ever ate, hands down the best I ever baked. I will forever trust your slow cooker recipes and I will cook a turkey breast in my slow cooker.
The skin did not brown or crisp at all! Where did I go wrong? I followed the instructions exactly.
How big was the breast and how long did you cook it for, I am happy to troubleshoot with you. Also was the breast very wet when you put it in?
Could you rub butter on the breast to keep it juicy? Especially if it’s skinless.
Sure 🙂
my turkey breast is almost 9 lbs – can I still use it for this recipe?
If you’re making just one big breast then that would be ok as long as it’s not overcrowding your slow cooker. It may still need an additional hour but check it at the 7 hour mark and use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Good luck!
I do this often, instead of buying ‘processed’ Turkey Breast Sandwich Meat from the deli counter. My family loves (real) sliced Turkey Sandwiches, & Turkey Salad sandwiches, so this is a much healthier (& tastier) alternative. I use salt, pepper, garlic powder, sage & thyme (to taste). Exceptionally tasty!
Yes!! The flavor is just so much better!
Will this work with boneless turkey breast? I’ve already purchased the (wrong) turkey.
Certainly. it won’t be as crispy if it is skinless, and will take a little less time to cook but otherwise, it will work fine.
Absolutely amazing, so juicy and tender. No one could believe it was just salt and pepper for seasoning! Definitely a keeper!!! Thanks for a wonderful way to cook turkey breast…
So glad you all enjoyed it!
I’m a big fan of the crock pot! I’m a terrible cook!!! Is it possible to make this up the day before and reheat on Thanksgiving? Thanks
With breast meat it would likely be a recipe for very dry meat. I’d caution against it unfortunately.
i make turkey breast in the crockpot once a week! leftovers will reheat nicely as follows: slice turkey add a little chicken broth and dot with butter. cover tightly with foil and heat for 20m in a 325 oven. its perfect!
This looks great! Do you think you could add herbs as well?
Of course 🙂
This is best turkey I’ve ever had. I was skeptical, but so glad I gave it a try. The turkey came out nice and browned and so moist. Thanks!
That’s a great compliment, thank you!
Do you have to slice the turkey first
You want to place it in the slow cooker whole. Slice it before serving.
do you use a frozen turkey breast or thawed/fresh?
Thawed or fresh – if you’re using frozen turkey breast, I’d let it thaw in the fridge overnight first!
I love that you got this crispy! It looks perfect!
It’s funny that we never have turkey other than on Thanksgiving. That needs to change with this awesome recipe!
We buy deli turkey all the time, so this would be a huge way to save money, and I can’t believe how easy it is!
those look absolutely melt in your mouth good! I’m a fan of the slow cooker ESPECIALLY in the summer! I had no idea you could put turkey in the crock pot without liquids to make it crispy but yet juicy, genius! Can’t wait to try!
No liquids at all?! I’m intrigued. I’ll have to try this! Just need a slow cooker first. 🙂
You won’t regret it – it’s one of my favorite kitchen tools!
it looks juicy inside and crispy outside. Best turkey breast I’ve seen today.
I love quick easy recipes like this that can help make life easier.
Me too!
This looks really amazing! I need to break out my slow cooker and use it more often! Bet this is delicious.
Thanks!
have you ever had any issues with not putting liquid in a slow-cooker? I made a roast chicken in it last week and it cracked. not sure if it was just the brand of slow-cooker, but I did read that some require liquid to cook and not crack. I did also cook it on high so not sure if that contributed.
I’ve been using mine this way for over six years now and haven’t had any issues. Usually the chicken’s own juices will provide more than enough liquid. What brand of slow cooker were you using?
crock-pot ( sorry for replying a million years later ?). it’s funny cause I started looking for a new one to replace my cracked cooker and all of them I looked at state that they require liquid.
For fattier cuts of meat, the fat will drain out as it heats up and become its own liquid!
Oh that looks so practical. I love the slow cooker!
Crispy skin on a turkey made in a slow cooker is something I didn’t think could happen. Definitely need to try your recipe. The turkey looks perfectly moist and delicious.
Ooh that crispy skin looks phenomenal! Love slow cooker meals! And I am dying to see the moist maker tomorrow! 🙂
Looks yummy and so easy!