Slow cooker turkey breast is one of those dishes that quietly becomes a household favorite, especially when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, but also in how much flavor you can coax out of a cut that often gets overlooked. Letting the turkey cook low and slow means it stays tender and juicy, developing a depth that feels cozy and homemade. The aromas that fill your home throughout the day are an added bonus, creating the kind of anticipation that makes dinner feel special, even on a busy weeknight.
What makes slow cooker turkey breast so appealing is how adaptable it is. You can keep it classic with herbs, garlic, and a splash of broth, or introduce warming spices and citrus for a brighter finish. As it cooks, the turkey absorbs everything around it, resulting in a flavorful main that needs little more than a good carving knife and a simple side. The leftover juices turn into an effortless gravy that ties everything together. It’s a practical, dependable option for small holiday gatherings, Sunday lunches, and meal prep through the week.
Food pairings make this dish shine even more. Creamy mashed potatoes are the most traditional choice, offering a smooth, buttery base that soaks up the gravy. Roasted root vegetables, especially carrots, parsnips, or roasted sweet potatoes, add earthiness and color to the plate. A crisp green bean almondine or a fresh spinach and avocado salad balances the richness with a bit of crunch and brightness. For something heartier, try serving the sliced turkey breast over wild rice or couscous, which absorbs the flavorful slow cooker juices beautifully.
Wine pairings elevate the experience in an understated and elegant way. A classic chardonnay works wonderfully, its gentle oak and buttery notes echoing the warmth of the turkey and gravy. If you prefer something lighter, a dry Riesling offers a refreshing counterpoint with subtle fruitiness and acidity that cuts through richer sides. For red wine lovers, a soft pinot noir is the ideal companion, giving you delicate red berry notes without overwhelming the turkey’s mild flavor.
Slow cooker turkey breast proves that comfort food doesn’t need complexity. It’s familiar, reliable, and endlessly pairable, making it a perfect choice for relaxed dinners and festive meals alike.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds turkey breast bone-in, skin on
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup chicken broth low sodium
Instructions
- Pat turkey breast dry with paper towels.
- Rub olive oil over turkey breast and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Place turkey breast in the slow cooker and pour chicken broth around it.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F (74°C).
- Let the turkey rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Wait, why do you season before cooking? Shouldn’t you marinate?
Amazing recipe! So juicy and tender. My family loved it!
Too salty for my taste. I only used half the salt and it was still overpowering.
This was just ok. I think I might have cooked it too long or something.
yummm 😋
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it!
Seems a bit bland, where’s the flavor?
Is it really that easy? I mean, who just slaps stuff in a pot and calls it a meal? Seems kind of lazy.
I was skeptical at first, but it turned out better than I expected! Will definitely make again.
I had my doubts about using a slow cooker, but this was great! The turkey was so tender. Thanks for sharing!
But isn’t turkey supposed to be dry?? I don’t believe it could be that tender. Maybe yours just got lucky.
I’m so glad you liked it! Slow cookers are a game changer. Did you add any veggies?
Not sure if I did it right, but mine was a bit dry. I followed the instructions exactly.
I find that sometimes slow cookers can make the meat dry if it’s not covered properly or if you cook it too long. Maybe try adding more broth next time!
Pretty good recipe! Wish I had a little more seasoning though. Next time I’ll add more spices.
I dunno… I thought turkey was supposed to be baked, isn’t this a bit weird?
This was super easy! The turkey came out juicy and flavorful. My family loved it!
Super easy to make! I added some rosemary and thyme for extra flavor. Yum!
Yum! Can’t wait to have leftovers for sandwiches. Best turkey breast ever!
I agree, this turkey is amazing! The leftovers are the best part. Perfect for sandwiches!
Simple but effective. I added some herbs from my garden and it was nice.
Sounds delicious! Herbs really make a difference. I’ll have to try that next time! 🌿
So easy and honestly it tastes like you tried harder than you did. I served it with mashed potatoes and everyone went back for seconds!
Ok so… I forgot to pat it dry and still baked? Wait slow cooker lol. It turned out fine, but the texture wasn’t as nice as expected. Still tasty!
Honestly that sounds pretty close—slow cookers are pretty forgiving 😅 If you didn’t pat it dry, I can see how the texture might’ve gotten a little softer or less “skin/brown” than expected. Next time, even a quick dry + maybe a longer rest could help.
Made it for meal prep. Resting for a few minutes really helped—slicing didn’t fall apart. Great base recipe.
This turned out amazing! The turkey was so juicy and full of flavor. My family loved it!
So glad to hear it! I’ve been looking for a good turkey recipe for the holidays. This one sounds perfect!
Really? I don’t know… My turkey always turns out dry no matter what. Got any tips?
5 stars! It was a hit at our Thanksgiving! I will make again for sure.
Why bone-in and skin-on? Seems like extra steps. I think boneless/skinless would still work, but you’d have to adjust cooking time.
I love turkey but also I think this needs more ingredient or it be bland, 2 stars.
I get what you’re saying! Maybe adding some herbs or veggies could help it out. But I think it’s perfect as is for a simple meal. 😋
More ingredients? Nah, I love the simplicity! Sometimes less is more, you know? But maybe I’m just a basic cook. 😂
I don’t trust slow cookers. I’ve had bad experiences. Maybe I’ll try this on a stove instead.
I understand your hesitation with slow cookers! They can be hit or miss. If you try this recipe on the stove, just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t dry out!
5 hours on low for 2 lbs seems too fast in my experience… but yeah, thermometer proved me wrong. Pretty good guidance.
Honestly I’m surprised it’s 5 hours too—my turkey takes longer in my cooker. But if the thermometer hit 165°F, that’s the truth. Love that you trusted the probe!
5 hours on low for 2 lbs sounds right to me ONLY if it’s fully thawed and not a giant thick breast. Thermometer > vibes, for sure.
Wow, so easy! Just put it in the cooker and forget about it. Will definitely make again!
Yum!! Totally gonna use this for my Christmas dinner!
That sounds amazing! I did a turkey breast last year and it was a hit! Hope yours turns out great!
Are you sure it will taste good? I think turkey gets dry sometimes if not cooked right.
I don’t have a meat thermometer (I know…), so I guessed and it might’ve been undercooked. The flavor was good though—just took longer.
No worries—guessing happens! If it was undercooked but flavorful, you’re probably close. Next time I’d cook a bit longer on low and check the thickest part again (turkey can be stubborn).
Aww man, I hate that you didn’t have a thermometer 😂 But like… 5 hours on low for 2 lbs might be tight depending on thickness. Did you maybe need another 30-60 min?
I followed the recipe but my turkey was dry! What went wrong? I’m not sure if I did something different.
I dunno, mine turned out really dry. Maybe I cooked it too long or something. Won’t try again.
I had the same issue at first! Maybe try checking the thermometer next time? It can be tricky with slow cookers.
Not bad, but mine was a little bland—maybe my salt was off. I added a squeeze of lemon and it helped a lot.
Good for Thanksgiving but not very festive-looking. Just a plain turkey.
Wasted my turkey!! It burned to a crisp. I think my slow cooker is too hot or I put it on the wrong setting.
Ugh, that sucks! But honestly, mine always turns out dry too. What setting did you use? 🤔
I think slow cookers can be tricky! Maybe try a meat thermometer next time? It really helps to avoid overcooking.
Mmmm, slow cooker is the best!! Who needs the oven? Gonna try this with chicken next!
Ok but where’s the gravy? I ended up making my own. Next time, I’ll try adding some garlic in the broth.
The chicken broth made a huge difference. Never thought to use that for turkey!
Not gonna lie, I’m skeptical about slow cookers for poultry skin-on. I expected it to be soft and sad, but it was actually fine.
Meh. It was just turkey, I expected better tbh.
This looks super simple and way less stressful than roasting. The broth in the slow cooker is genius for keeping it juicy.
The flavor was good, but I wish I’d patted it even drier before seasoning. Next time I’ll also add some rosemary or thyme for more depth.
Best turkey I’ve ever made! So juicy and flavorful. I followed the recipe exactly.
This recipe is amazing! I love how easy it is to make. I’m so glad it turned out great for you!
Juicy? Really? I tried it and mine was kinda dry. Maybe I did somethin’ wrong…
I don’t have a slow cooker. Can I still make this in the oven? Just asking.
I’m not a fan of turkey, but this was decent. I still prefer chicken. 🤷♂️
Chicken is just better, no question. Who even decided turkey is the Thanksgiving star? 😂
I get that! Turkey can be a bit dry sometimes. Have you tried marinating it? That might help!
I was skeptical about “5 hours” but it hit 165°F right on the nose. Super easy too—just set it and forget it.
This recipe was super easy to follow! The turkey turned out juicy and flavorful. Will definitely make again!
This doesn’t sound like enough seasoning to me. I usually marinate for days. 🤔
My turkey was perfect at 165°F—juicy, not dry. I used low-sodium broth and it didn’t taste watered down at all.
The seasoning is basic (salt/pepper/garlic/onion) but honestly that’s what I want. Let it taste like turkey, not like a spice rub contest.
Meh, I was expecting better. It was okay, but nothing special.
I thought it was pretty good! Maybe you just didn’t season it enough? Sometimes a bit more spice can make a difference.
This turned out super juicy—my turkey breast was tender all the way through. The broth flavor really comes through, and the seasoning is perfectly simple.
So glad you nailed it! Juicy turkey is the best. The broth + simple seasoning really does make a difference—thanks for sharing!
Tasty! But it took closer to 6 hours for my turkey to cook fully. Make sure to check the temp!
The times/temps seem right—5 hours on low for a 2 lb breast is pretty much my experience too. Came out tender and easy to slice.
Yes! I totally agree—the low-and-slow timing is what makes it tender and sliceable. I rested mine too and it really helped with the juiciness.
I tried something similar but my turkey ended up a little bland. Next time I’ll definitely go a bit heavier on the pepper and garlic powder.
Totally hear you—turkey breast can be a little shy on flavor in a slow cooker. Your instinct about boosting pepper/garlic powder is on point. I’ve found adding a pinch more salt (and maybe a little onion powder) right before cooking makes a big difference too.
I cooked it for 5 hours and it still felt slightly underdone near the bone. I ended up cooking 30 more minutes and then it was fine.
I don’t really get why people bother with turkey breast in a slow cooker—texture just feels weird to me. But I’ll admit it smelled amazing.
Mine came out dry-ish on the outside skin even though I kept it bone-in. I think my slow cooker runs hot. Still tasty with gravy.