Crock Pot Turkey Breast

This Crock Pot Turkey Breast is perfect for a stress-free Thanksgiving or holiday dinner. Choose between two delicious versions: a festive Cranberry Orange turkey or a savory Garlic Butter turkey that’s packed with rich, comforting herbs. It’s a foolproof, oven-free way to serve the best slow cooker turkey!

I am super excited to share this recipe with you! If you’ve ever juggled oven space, side dishes, and a big turkey all at once, you know how chaotic Thanksgiving day can feel. But what if you could have juicy, flavorful turkey that basically cooks itself — no basting, no babysitting, and no dry meat? Enter the slow cooker turkey breast — a total game-changer for small gatherings, Friendsgiving dinners, or anyone who wants that golden, buttery turkey taste without the fuss of roasting a full bird.

Cooking turkey breast in the crockpot keeps it incredibly moist while infusing it with flavor. Whether you go for classic garlic herb butter or a sweet-tart cranberry apple glaze, each recipe transforms an ordinary turkey breast into something that feels worthy of a holiday table — with hardly any effort.

I have been recipe testing these turkeys for a bit trying to figure out how using different brands of turkey breast affects the recipes. I tried the two most readily available frozen turkey breasts at the grocery store. These aren’t whole turkeys but just the breast portion of the turkey.

I am very familiar with the Jennie-O oven ready turkey since we have use it when we are serving smoked turkey. This particular turkey breast is already infused with seasonings so you don’t need as much extra seasonings as a basic turkey.

The Butterball turkey that is readily available as well is also infused with some flavorings but not as much as the Jennie-O so be aware of that when you are choosing your boneless turkey breast. I found this Butterball boneless turkey breast at Costco and local grocery stores.

Two Recipes for Slow Cooker Turkey Breast:

If you love traditional Thanksgiving flavor — buttery, savory, and infused with herbs — this is the recipe for you. The turkey breast is slathered with a rich blend of softened butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and sage, then slow-cooked until tender and juicy. Halfway through, you brush on a layer of herb butter glaze that melts over the turkey like golden magic, creating a roast-style flavor without ever turning on your oven.

When you slice into it, the meat is perfectly moist, the edges lightly caramelized from the butter, and the aroma — rosemary, garlic, and that hint of Thanksgiving nostalgia — fills your kitchen. This version is elegant, classic, and timelessly good. It’s the kind of turkey that makes people ask, “You made this in a slow cooker?”

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Turkey Breast:

We have 2 fantastic slow cooker turkey options: a sweet, tangy Cranberry Citrus Turkey Breast and a rich, savory Garlic Butter Turkey Breast for classic flavor. Choose your favorite or make both!

Cranberry Orange Turkey Breast:

• Butterball turkey breast: Juicy and cooks evenly in the slow cooker.
• Whole cranberry sauce: Adds sweetness and a subtle tart flavor.
• Onion soup dip mix: Find this soup mix in the seasoning aisle of the grocery store.
• Orange juice + apple cider: Adds natural sweetness and keeps the turkey ultra-moist.
• Salt, pepper, thyme: Simple herbs that tie together the holiday flavors.

Garlic Butter Turkey Breast:

• Boneless turkey breast: Cooks quickly and stays tender in the crock pot.
• Butter: Creates rich flavor and helps the herbs soak into the meat.
• Salt, pepper, thyme: Clean, classic seasoning that pairs with everything.
• Chicken Broth: Adds an extra punch of savory flavor.
• Onion + garlic cloves
• Garlic butter glaze

How to Make Juicy Crock Pot Turkey Breast:

There are two recipes — one with garlic butter and one with cranberry so you can choose which one sounds best to you.

Garlic Butter Turkey Breast:

1. Defrost turkey breast. If the boneless turkey breast is frozen, allow it to defrost.
2. Make the garlic herb butter. In a bowl, mix softened butter, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and parsley (if using). Mix until you have a smooth, spreadable paste.
3. Prep the crockpot base. Place the onion quarters in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour in ½–1 cup broth, enough to cover the bottom.
4. Prepare the turkey. Pat the boneless turkey breast dry. If there is netting on it, I prefer to remove it, but it does help keep the turkey together. Rub half of the garlic butter all over the outside of the turkey, reserving the other half to put on the turkey after cooking. Lightly sprinkle with a bit more salt and pepper.
5. Cook. Place the turkey breast on top of the onions. Cover and cook: On LOW: 5–7 hours, or on HIGH: 3–4 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. Slice turkey breast. Heat the remaining butter until melted. Drizzle the garlic-herb-butter all over the turkey breast. Garnish with extra herbs if you like.

Cranberry Turkey Breast:

1. Prep the crockpot base. Add cranberry sauce, apple cider, orange juice, garlic, onion soup mix, cinnamon, thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Season the turkey. Pat the boneless turkey breast dry with paper towels. Lightly season all over with extra salt and pepper.
3. Add the turkey to the crockpot. Nestle the turkey breast on top of the onion/cranberry mixture. Spoon some of the liquid over the top.
4. Cook. Cover and cook: On LOW: 5–7 hours, on HIGH: 3–4 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Rest the turkey. Carefully remove the turkey breast to a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest 10–15 minutes.
6. Serve. Slice turkey and spoon the warm cranberry-apple-cider sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley or a little orange zest if you’re feeling fancy.
7. If you want more cranberry sauce topping, you can make a homemade cranberry orange sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s):

1. Can I use a frozen turkey breast?
   Yes, just thaw completely in the refrigerator before cooking for best texture and even cooking.
2. Can I make gravy from the drippings?
   Absolutely. Strain the juices, bring them to a simmer on the stovetop, and whisk in a slurry of cornstarch + water until thickened.
3. Which turkey recipe is best for Thanksgiving?
   Both work great! The cranberry citrus version has holiday flavors, while the garlic butter version is perfect for classic savory sides.
4. Can I double the recipe?
   Only if the turkey breasts fit inside your slow cooker without overlapping too much. Otherwise cook them separately for consistent results.

Sides To Serve with Turkey Breast:

Easy Mac and Cheese Recipe

Classic Butter Herb Stuffing

Best Sweet Potato Casserole

Brown Sugar Bacon Green Beans

Homemade Garlic Butter Rolls

Storage and Reheating:

Refrigerator: Store leftover turkey in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze sliced or shredded turkey for up to 3 months.

Reheating: Reheat gently in a covered dish in the microwave with a splash of broth or juices to keep it moist.