Slow Cooker Roasted Turkey Breast

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/24/20
easy crock pot turkey breast and gravy
Diana Rattray
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 8 hrs 15 mins
Total: 8 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
578 Calories
21g Fat
41g Carbs
56g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 578
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 7g 33%
Cholesterol 207mg 69%
Sodium 2375mg 103%
Total Carbohydrate 41g 15%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Protein 56g
Calcium 129mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This boneless turkey breast is roasted with fresh herbs in the slow cooker. A 4-pound turkey breast will fit best in a 5- to 7-quart slow cooker. For a smaller slow cooker, use a 2 1/2 to 3-pound boneless turkey breast.

Thaw the turkey completely in the refrigerator before you begin cooking it in the slow cooker. 

Ingredients

  • 1 (4-pound) boneless turkey breast (skin on)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon butter (softened)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest (grated)
  • 2 Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and chopped)
  • 2 carrots (cut into large chunks)
  • 4 medium leeks (white part and 1-inch pale green, rinsed, sliced thinly)
  • 1 cup chicken broth, preferably unsalted or low sodium
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine or more broth
  • 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Slow cooker roasted turkey ingredients
    ​The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  2. With your fingers, separate the skin from breast meat.

    Lift turkey skin
    ​The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  3. Combine the parsley, thyme, butter, and lemon zest.

    Combine parsley, thyme, butter
    ​The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  4. Rub turkey with the herb mixture all over and under the skin. Tie the skin back in place with kitchen twine.

    Rub turkey
    ​The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  5. Arrange the apples, carrots, and leeks in the bottom of the crockery insert of a 5- to 7-quart slow cooker.

    Arrange apples, carrots, leeks
    ​The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  6. Top with turkey breast, skin side up. Drizzle the lemon juice over the turkey.

    Slow cooker
    ​The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  7. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Continue cooking on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for about 3 hours longer. According to the USDA guidelines, poultry must reach at least 165 F on a food thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat. Check with a reliable instant-read food thermometer.

    Cover and cook
    ​The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  8. Transfer the turkey breast to a serving platter and keep warm.

    Transfer turkey breast
    ​The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  9. If desired, brown the skin under the broiler for about 4 to 5 minutes. Let turkey breast stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

  10. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH. Whisk broth and wine into the juices in the slow cooker.

    Slow cooker roasted turkey
    ​The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  11. In a small bowl or cup, combine the butter and flour until the flour is well incorporated and the mixture is smooth.

    Mix butter
    ​The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  12. Whisk the flour and butter combination into the slow cooker liquids and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally until thickened and bubbly, about 15 minutes. Cook and stir for another minute. 

    Whisk flour and butter
    ​The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  13. Alternatively, you can cook the broth, wine, and juices in a saucepan on the stovetop more quickly. Add the butter and flour mixture and cook over medium heat, stirring, until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.

    Cook juices
    ​The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

  14. Pour the sauce into a serving dish and spoon over slices of the turkey breast.

    Pour sauce over
    ​The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

Recipe Variations

  • To replace the leeks, use 1 medium sweet onion, coarsely chopped, and 2 chopped green onions.
  • Add a fennel bulb, sliced, to the vegetable mixture.