Cooking a Turkey Breast in a Crock Pot

Are turkey breasts that are dry getting old for you? Luckily, you can avoid that, and we’ll show you how.

Turkey breast meat is thick yet super lean (minimal fat). Due to the thickness, turkey breasts typically need about two hours to cook all the way through. If you cooked meat with a lot of fat for that long, the fat would melt, leaving the muscle fibers smooth and juicy. Since the typical turkey breast contains little fat, it can dry out during long cooks.

Turkey breasts can be served less dry if they are brined before they are cooked, but you won’t be able to do that if you don’t have time or room in the fridge to brine a turkey breast. If brining is not an option, consider cooking your turkey breasts in a slow cooker.

NOTE: We highly recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure doneness as every slow cooker cooks differently. For safety and to make sure the meat is done, the thickest part of the breast (without touching the bone) and the thighs need to be 165°F on the inside.

Cooking a juicy, flavourful turkey breast in a crock pot is a great hands-off way to enjoy this tasty meat. While oven roasting certainly has its merits using a slow cooker can provide similar delicious results with much less effort. If you’re wondering how long it takes to cook a turkey breast in a crock pot you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll provide a complete guide to crock pot turkey breast including timing, tips, tricks, and some tasty recipe ideas.

How Long Does It Take to Cook a Turkey Breast in a Slow Cooker?

The exact cooking time needed will vary depending on a few factors like the size and shape of your turkey breast, whether it is bone-in or boneless and how cold it was before going into the slow cooker. However here are some general guidelines for crock pot turkey breast cook times

Boneless Turkey Breast Allow 6-8 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high A 3 to 4 pound boneless breast will likely be done in 6-7 hours,
Bone-in Turkey Breast: Plan for 8-10 hours on low or 5-7 hours on high. A 4 to 6 pound bone-in breast may take around 8-9 hours.
Frozen Turkey Breast: Add at least 2 extra hours to the times above if starting with a completely frozen breast.
Smaller or Larger Breasts: Adjust the time up or down by about 1 hour per pound.

As you can see, low and slow cooking for 7-9 hours is typical for a 4-6 pound turkey breast. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F when done. The nice thing about the crock pot is you don’t have to be too precise – the turkey will just get more tender if cooked a little longer.

Tips for Crock Pot Turkey Breast Success

Cooking turkey breast in the slow cooker couldn’t be much easier, but following a few helpful tips will ensure ideal results:

Choose the Right Size – Pick a crock pot that will fit the turkey breast snugly so it cooks evenly. For a 4-6 pound breast, a 6 quart cooker is ideal.

-Prep It – Remove any packaging and giblets. Pat dry with paper towels. Rub all over with oil or melted butter and season as desired.

Lift It – Place chopped onion, carrot and celery in the bottom then set breast on top. This lifts it off direct contact with the cooker.
Add Liquid – Pour in 1/2 – 1 cup of broth, wine or water around the breast. The steam will keep it moist.
Cook on Low – The low setting gently brings the meat to perfect doneness without drying it out.
brown and Crisp – Once cooked through, you can brown the skin under the broiler for added flavor and texture.

Delicious Crock Pot Turkey Breast Recipes

Here are 3 of my favorite ways to infuse savory flavors into crock pot turkey breast:

Rosemary Garlic Turkey Breast

Rub a boneless breast with minced garlic, chopped rosemary, salt and pepper.
Add 1/2 cup chicken broth to the cooker.
Cook 7-8 hours on low.

Citrus Cranberry Turkey Breast

Brush a bone-in breast with orange juice and top with whole cranberries and oranges slices.
Pour in 1 cup cranberry juice cocktail.
Cook 9 hours on low.

BBQ Turkey Breast

Rub a boneless breast with chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt and brown sugar.
Pour 1 cup barbecue sauce over top.
Cook 6-7 hours on low.

The mild flavor of turkey breast really absorbs any seasoning or sauce to take it to the next level. A slow cooked turkey breast also shines in soups, sandwiches, wraps, salads and more after cooking.

Is Crock Pot Turkey Breast Worth It?

Absolutely! The crock pot does all the work while you enjoy your day. You’ll come home to a perfectly cooked, juicy and delicious turkey breast ready for easy slicing and serving. Compared to monitoring a turkey in the oven, it’s so much simpler. The self-basting environment of the slow cooker keeps the meat incredibly moist and tender. If you’ve never tried this method before, crock pot turkey breast is definitely worth a try!

So next time you’re looking for an effortless way to enjoy tasty turkey, reach for your slow cooker. In about 8-9 hours, you’ll have fall-off-the-bone turkey breast ready to satisfy your family. With the help of this handy guide, you’ll know exactly how long to cook a turkey breast in the crock pot for outstanding results.

cooking a turkey breast in a crock pot how long

Benefits of Using a Slow Cooker

Cooking turkey breasts in an oven or grill may be popular, but it can be tedious and unforgiving. You have to keep checking the turkey’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer. If you accidentally cook it for a few extra minutes, the turkey could burn or get dry.

On the other hand, cooking a turkey breast in a slow cooker is very forgiving. The low cooking temperature will help make sure the turkey doesn’t burn or get dry, even if it stays in the crockpot for an extra hour. Here are more benefits of opting for slow cooker turkey breast:

Flavorful, tender, and juicy turkey breasts every time
Minimal prep time – no need to brine
Easy to cook; you don’t have to keep an eye on it for hours.
Easy to clean up afterward

Lastly, using a slow cooker makes turkey broth that is very concentrated. You can use this broth to make a great gravy.

Before we talk about how to cook bone-in turkey breasts in a crockpot, let’s settle the debate about which is better: slow cookers.

Instant Pot® or Electric Pressure Cooker

Unlike a slow cooker, instant pots and electric pressure cookers, cook food quickly. You can use these fast cookers to make tasty and moist turkey breasts because they keep the steam in and cook food quickly. An Instant Pot® also has a slow cooker setting for cooking turkey breasts with low heat.

Learn more about how to cook turkey breast in an Instant Pot® or electric pressure cooker here.

Moist and Tender Turkey Breast in a Crock Pot

FAQ

How long does a crock pot take to cook?

If a dish usually takes: 15-30 mins, cook it for 1-2 hours on High or 4-6 hours on Low. 30 mins – 1 hour, cook it for 2-3 hours on High or 5-7 hours on Low. 1-2 hours, cook it for 3-4 hours on High or 6-8 hours on Low.

Is it safe to cook a turkey in a slow cooker on low?

Rub the oil all over the turkey then season the turkey generously all over on all sides. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.

How many hours per pound to cook a turkey breast?

Turkey breast takes about 20 minutes per pound to cook. The turkey breast on its own will cook more quickly than a whole turkey, so start checking after an hour.

How long does it take to cook Jennie O’ turkey breast in a crock pot?

Place turkey breast in the slow cooker. Cut three 1/2-inch slits in the top of the cooking bag. Cook for approximately 4 hours with the slow cooker on HIGH setting. Turkey can also be cooked for approximately 8 hours with the slow cooker on LOW setting.

How do you cook a turkey breast in a slow cooker?

In a small bowl, mash together the butter, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, sea salt, black pepper, and paprika. Prep the slow cooker. I have this one. Grease the bottom, place the onions inside, and pour in the chicken broth. Rub the turkey breast with herb butter. Use a paper towel to pat the turkey until very dry, then rub.

How long do you cook a turkey breast on a crock pot?

Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until tender. Lemon-Garlic Turkey Breast: Combine 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley, 8 minced garlic cloves, 4 teaspoons grated lemon zest, 2 teaspoons salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning and 1-1/2 teaspoons salt; rub over turkey breast. Add water and cook as directed.

How long does a 2 kg turkey breast take to cook?

A 2 kg / 4 l2b turkey breast will take 5 to 6 hours on LOW in a slow cooker. Check the internal temperature at 5 hours. See recipe notes for cook times for other sizes. I promised you easy – and easy it is! Here’s how it goes down: Use slow cooker juices to make a killer gravy.

How to cook a Turkey in a slow cooker?

First, put the sliced onions in the bottom of the slow cooker. Then place the turkey breast on top and pour the chicken broth around the turkey. Now, put the lid on the slow cooker and cook the turkey on low for 5 to 6 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Can you cook a Turkey in a crockpot?

With a slow cooker, you can set it and forget it, allowing you to focus on the side dishes and cranberry sauce. Perfect Turkey! The combination of butter, fresh herbs, and garlic infuses the crockpot turkey breast with lots of flavor, while slow cooking ensures that the meat becomes tender and juicy. Versatile Dish! Not just for Thanksgiving.

How long do you cook a 4 pound turkey in a slow cooker?

For a 4 to 5 pound turkey breast in the slow cooker, cook on low for about 6 hours or on high for about 3 hours. Remember to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s thoroughly cooked. Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer, Stainless Steel Choose the right size.

Cooking a Turkey Breast in a Crock Pot – How Long Does It Take?