Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Herb and Citrus Aromatics Recipe
This Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe delivers a moist and flavorful turkey breast using simple ingredients and slow cooking techniques. Infused with fresh herbs, citrus, and a blend of savory seasonings, the turkey comes out tender and juicy, perfect for a comforting family meal. The recipe also includes instructions for an alternative Instant Pot method to speed up the cooking time while achieving similar delicious results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-8 hours (slow cooker) or 1.5 hours (Instant Pot including natural release)
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker) or 1 hour 45 minutes (Instant Pot plus broiling and resting)
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Seasoning
- 5–7 pound bone-in turkey breast
- 4 tablespoons ghee or butter
- 1 tablespoon oil of your choice
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Additional Flavorings
- 3–4 sprigs fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 lemon or orange, sliced
For Instant Pot Option
- 1 cup water or broth
Instructions
- Prepare the Turkey: Rinse and pat the turkey breast dry. Carefully loosen the skin of the turkey breast without tearing it. Place the ghee or butter under the skin, spreading it evenly. Rub the oil all over the surface of the turkey to help the seasoning adhere.
- Season the Turkey: In a small bowl, combine salt, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper. Rub this seasoning mixture all over the turkey breast, ensuring full coverage for maximum flavor.
- Add Flavor Base to Cooker: Place the sliced onion, lemon or orange slices, and fresh herb sprigs at the bottom of the slow cooker to build a fragrant flavor base for the turkey.
- Place Turkey in Slow Cooker: Set the prepared and seasoned turkey breast on top of the onion, citrus, and herbs in the slow cooker.
- Slow Cook: Cook the turkey on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 6-8 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Prepare Instant Pot (Optional): For the Instant Pot method, pour 1 cup of water or broth into the Instant Pot. Place the trivet inside, then add the onion slices, lemon slices, and fresh herbs on top of the trivet.
- Place Turkey in Instant Pot: Position the seasoned turkey breast on the trivet, breast side up.
- Cook in Instant Pot: Pressure cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Once finished, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes before performing a quick release of any remaining pressure.
- Rest the Turkey: Remove the turkey breast from the cooker and transfer it to a cutting board. Loosely tent it with foil and let it rest for 15-20 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Crisp the Skin: Preheat your broiler to high. Carefully place the rested turkey breast on a baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes or until the skin is crisp and golden to your liking.
Notes
- Ensure the internal temperature of the turkey breast reaches 165°F to guarantee it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Resting the turkey before slicing helps maintain its moisture and tenderness.
- The broiling step is important to achieve a crisp, appetizing skin.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted based on preference; rosemary and thyme work excellently.
- If using the Instant Pot, the added liquid is essential for proper pressure cooking.
- This recipe works well with bone-in turkey breasts, as the bones add flavor and moisture.
Keywords: slow cooker turkey breast, turkey breast recipe, slow cooked turkey, easy turkey breast, holiday turkey, tender turkey breast
