Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Roast

Want to know how to skip the turkey prep this holiday season and still serve an incredibly flavourful and juicy turkey dinner? This Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe features a whole turkey breast blanketed in decadent herb butter then slow cooked to perfection. It takes minutes to prepare and cooks while you tackle the side dishes and dessert.

Speaking of side dishes… whether you’re looking for traditional sides like Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes or unique additions like Smoked Mac and Cheese you’ll find plenty of sensational options to round out your holiday dinner menu.

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Roast

It’s difficult to choose but I’d say October is my favourite month of the year. The air has a perfect chill to it, there are apple and pumpkin recipes on every dinner table, Halloween parties, and football is in full swing. November is just around the corner but first there’s Thanksgiving here in Canada.

I love cooking a full turkey dinner with a brined turkey, traditional stuffing (and stuffing balls!), and cranberry sauce for my family. It’s one of my favourite family meals and occasions to cook for.

However, sometimes there are only a few of us around the table. When that happens, I get out the crockpot and make this crockpot turkey recipe. It features a whole turkey breast coated in herb butter slow cooked to perfection.

A longer cooking time means this crockpot turkey breast will be extra juicy and we can enjoy the amazing aroma of cooking turkey longer. The anticipation is sometimes a bit difficult to overcome! However, while the turkey cooks, you are free to start on the side dishes and dessert or watch football.

PS. As the turkey cooks, the slow cooker catches all the drippings, extra butter, and herbs from the turkey. The drippings are perfect for making an incredible turkey gravy while the turkey rests before carving.

Crockpot vs. Slow Cooker

The terms ‘crockpot’ and ‘slow cooker’ are often used interchangeably because there is no real difference between the two kitchen appliances. The names are simply a result of marketing. Whichever name you prefer is likely due to which brand you grew up with or prefer.

Both gadgets consist of an outer metal layer, a bottom heating element, a ceramic insert, and lid. However, the amount of temperature settings may vary. At minimum, there is a low and high temperature setting option.

Crockpots and Slow Cookers are used to cook meals, fruit butters, and beverages with humidity over low heat for a long amount of time. This ‘hands off’ cooking appliance is an incredibly handy tool for busy cooks.

Recipe Ingredients

You may need to visit a butcher to buy a whole attached turkey breast roast. It doesn’t matter if it is bone-in or boneless, but it needs to have the skin attached.

• Onion
• Garlic
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Chicken Stock
• Turkey Breast Roast
• Butter
• Parsley
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Paprika
• Thyme

Aromatics like onion and garlic (not garlic powder) line the bottom of the slow cooker with the fresh rosemary and sage. All the herbs are fresh herbs except the dried thyme. You can use fresh thyme if you prefer. Chicken stock adds flavour and humidity, keeping the turkey moist while it cooks.

Flavour the butter rub with fresh parsley, rosemary, dried thyme, sweet paprika, and freshly ground black pepper. If you use salted butter, be mindful of how much extra salt you add.

How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Roast

To make Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Roast, place the onions, garlic, sage, rosemary, and chicken broth in the bottom of a slow cooker.

Next, use a fork to combine the butter and all herbs and seasonings together in a small mixing bowl. Use paper towels to pat the turkey dry then gently spread most of the butter mixture under the turkey breast skin. Rub the remaining butter over the outside of the turkey breast roast.

Place the turkey breast on top of the contents in the slow cooker, cover with a lid and cook on low for 7-9 hours.

Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature after 7 hours. Once the internal temperature at the center of the turkey breast reaches 165 F, remove it from the slow cooker.

For crispy skin, place the roast turkey breast on a cooking sheet or roasting pan and broil on low for about 5-8 minutes. *If you plan to take the skin off before serving, you can skip this step.

Discard onions, garlic and herbs from the slow cooker. Strain turkey drippings and reserve to make turkey gravy while the breast rests.

Allow the turkey breast to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• You can use bone-in or boneless turkey breast. Nothing should change in the recipe for if it’s bone in or bone out. 
• Use at least a 6-quart slow cooker for this recipe. A large turkey breast is too big for a smaller one. 
• If you are serving the breast with skin and want it even prettier, you can place on a cooking sheet or roasting pan and broil on low for about 5-8 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. If you plan to take the skin off and serve, you can skip this step.

Leftovers and Storage

Store turkey leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To freeze, place turkey in an airtight container or use a vacuum sealer to freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight and use in your favourite turkey leftover recipe. Some of my favourites are:

• Turkey Pot Pie
• Baked Hawaiian Roll Turkey Dinner Sliders
• Turkey Wild Rice Soup
• Turkey Enchiladas
• Rajas Poblanas con Pavo

Hi! I’m Bernice Hill, the heart and soul behind Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen. It is my pleasure to share easy to follow recipes that are delicious, nutritious, and approachable for the whole family.

If you make this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Roast recipe, I’d love to hear about it in the comments section or in a recipe rating. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe, please share your photos and tag me on Instagram. I hope you like this recipe!