Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast takes all the effort and guesswork out of preparing a healthy turkey breast. Perfect for sandwiches.
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!
Sabrina’s Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
So you could say I’m a fan of crispy slow cooker meals. This Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is no exception. Some people think you can’t get crispy meat from a slow cooker, but I am here to prove those people wrong. Just give this a try along with my Crisp and Juicy Slow Cooker Chicken or Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey Thighs and you’ll see for yourself.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 5-6 pounds turkey breast (1 breast), skin and bone on
- kosher salt , to taste
- coarse ground black pepper , to taste
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
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Table of Contents
About this Recipe
What’s to love about this recipe? Well, aside from the fact it is super easy to make, it 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.
Chef’s Note
I’ve added this turkey breast everywhere, from sandwiches, to salads (cut in cubes), to baked pastas, and even to 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.
Seasoning Variations
- Salt and pepper: Seriously, we do this version 9 times out of ten. Crispy salted turkey is just heaven.
- Salt, pepper, garlic, with a squeeze of lemon: Add salt and pepper and 2 tablespoons of garlic. When done, add a squeeze of lemon on top.
- Salt, pepper, rosemary, garlic: Classic flavors, 2 tablespoons garlic, 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary.
- Salt, pepper, orange zest, rosemary, sage: Zest of one orange, 2 teaspoons minced rosemary, and thyme.
- Salt, pepper, celery, carrots, and onions: Place roughly chopped veggies under the turkey. It’ll feel and smell just like Thanksgiving.
- Salt, pepper, butter, and flour: Now this one is a bit more complex because you’re going to make it the classic way, then reserve the liquids left behind, remove the fat, and add the liquid to a saucepan to thicken with 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour. Mix the flour and butter in a small bowl with a fork, add to the turkey liquids, and thicken for an awesome, quick gravy.
- Salt, pepper, garlic, and Parmesan rind: 2 tablespoons minced garlic and chopped up Parmesan rind. Don’t waste good cheese for it, just use the leftover rind to add flavor.
- Salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne, and garlic powder: Easy, spicy, Latin flavors. I serve this with my toasted Mexican Rice.
- Salt, pepper, sage, and dried cranberries: I know, I know, dried cranberries? YES! They will plump up to these delicious red little flavor balloons! Add ½ teaspoon dried sage or 1 teaspoon fresh minced sage and a big handful of dried cranberries.
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Images used in previous versions of this post:
What is your advice on cooking breast in slow cooker And browning it on a grill rather than oven? My oven is full with sides and bread. I am thrilled to find your recipe for using a slow cooker versus tying up oven so long. Thank you for sharing so many delicious recipes. I look forward to my emails from you.
Hi Gene, you can stack them on top of each other, but they won’t get crispy. If you want all of the thighs to be crisp, turn your oven to broil, and crisp the tops of the thighs for 1-2 minutes before serving.
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!