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Roast Turkey · Slow-Cooker Breast

Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast

A bone-in turkey breast cooks gently in the slow cooker on a bed of vegetables, leaving the oven free for sides. Perfect for a small Thanksgiving.

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Prep
15 min
Cook
5 hr 30 min
Total
6 hr
Serves
6
Level
Easy

Ingredients

Turkey

  • 1 bone-in turkey breast, 6 to 7 lb, fully thawed
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried sage
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Vegetable bed

  • 1 medium onion, cut into thick rings
  • 2 carrots, cut into chunks
  • 2 celery ribs, cut into chunks
  • ½ cup chicken broth

Cook to 165°F inside (check with a thermometer).

Steps

  1. Check that the turkey breast fits in your slow cooker with the lid closed. A 6-quart oval cooker fits most 6- to 7-pound breasts.
  2. Scatter the onion, carrots and celery in the cooker and pour in the broth.
  3. In a small bowl, mash the butter with the garlic powder, thyme, sage, paprika, salt and pepper.
  4. Pat the turkey dry and rub the butter all over it, including under the skin where you can reach. Wash your hands.
  5. Set the turkey breast side up on the vegetables.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW. Start checking at 5 hours; most breasts take 5 1/2 to 7 hours.
  7. Check the thickest part of the breast, not touching bone. It's done at 165°F (74°C). If not there yet, cover and check every 30 minutes.
  8. For browner skin, move the turkey to a foil-lined sheet pan and broil 6 inches from the heat until golden. Watch closely.
  9. Tent with foil and rest before slicing.
  10. Strain the liquid in the cooker and use it for gravy.

Tip: Never put a frozen turkey breast in a slow cooker; it stays in the unsafe temperature zone too long. Thaw it in the fridge for 2 days first.

Storage: Refrigerate sliced turkey within 2 hours, up to 4 days.

Estimated nutrition per serving: 680 calories · protein 87 g · carbohydrates 5 g · fiber 1 g · sugars 2 g · fat 35 g (saturated 11 g) · sodium 970 mg. Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Based on 12 of 12 ingredients.