Cooking Turkey In Slow Cooker

Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast

Total Time

Prep: 10 min. Cook: 5 hours

Makes

14 servings

Try this wonderfully flavored, easy-to-fix slow-cooker turkey breast when you're craving something delicious. It makes a great holiday dish for smaller families, too. —Maria Juco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast

Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

1 bone-in turkey breast (6 to 7 pounds), skin removed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup water

Directions

Brush turkey with oil. Combine the garlic, seasoned salt, paprika, Italian seasoning and pepper; rub over turkey. Transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker; add water. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until tender.
Lemon-Garlic Turkey Breast: Combine 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley, 8 minced garlic cloves, 4 teaspoons grated lemon zest, 2 teaspoons salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning and 1-1/2 teaspoons salt; rub over turkey breast. Add water and cook as directed.

Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast Tips

How many people does a turkey breast serve?

A 6-7 lb. turkey breast will feed 5-6 people, making it a great meal choice for small gatherings. To find out how much turkey to serve per person, use this simple formula: Number of guests x 1.25. So six guests will need a 7.5 lb. turkey. If you're serving a large crowd, cut down on the cook time by purchasing two turkeys.

How long does it take a turkey breast to thaw?

If your breast came frozen, give it time to thaw. Every 4 pounds of frozen turkey will need 24 hours of thawing time before it's ready to cook. The best (and safest) way to thaw turkey is to place it in its original packaging in the refrigerator on a tray for the allotted time. A 7lb. turkey will need just under two full days (42 hours) to thaw. For more tips, check out our guide for how to cook a turkey.

What can I serve with turkey breast?

Try serving mashed potatoes, dinner rolls or a side of green beans with this turkey dish (if it's Thanksgiving, whip up one of these Thanksgiving sides!).

How can I use up leftover turkey breast?

Extra turkey is perfect for sandwiches and soups—but these delicious leftover turkey recipes raise the bar for what you can do with leftovers.

Can I slow cook a skin-on turkey breast?

Yes, you can slow cook a skin-on turkey breast. It's truly a matter of personal preference. If you do cook with the skin on, we recommend crisping up the skin afterward by broiling it for a couple of minutes. Keep an eye on it, though, so it doesn't overcook the turkey.

How do you know if the turkey is done?

The best way to know if a turkey is done is by checking the internal temperature. Since this recipe uses a 6-7 lb. turkey, it should reach a temperature of 165 F. Find out how long you should cook turkeys of different sizes here. If you like this recipe, try out one of our other slow-cooker dinner recipes.

—Christina Herbst, Taste of Home Assistant Digital Editor

Nutrition Facts

4 ounces cooked turkey: 173 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 171mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat.