Why mess around trying to cook a whole turkey when you can simply and easily cook just the breast in a slow cooker with little work or clean up? This super tender slow cooker turkey breast will melt in your mouth. You can use the turkey meat for meal prep to use with sandwiches or a number of other recipes.
Turkey is really an underused protein in my house. We usually just eat turkey twice a year at Thanksgiving and then a month later for Christmas. In the past year, I have come to embrace the turkey breast. Turkey breast can be roasted in the oven or cooking a slow cooker much quicker than a whole bird. The cost is more reasonable as well.
You can purchase turkey breast either skinless and boneless or with a bone. Bone-in turkey breasts are about $10 more than boneless skinless breasts mainly because there is more meat on the bone-in options. I have used both for this recipe. The slow cooker method works for both types. The only difference, which is optional anyway, is to add a bit of brown sugar to the skin of the bone-in breast so it browns.
A boneless/skinless turkey breast will cook for the same length of time as a bone-in. This cut is smaller so you won't get as many servings for this option. A boneless turkey breast will be nice and tender, but I think a bone-in is even more tender especially if you leave the skin on.
A bone-in turkey breast will likely come with the skin as well. You can remove the skin, but leaving it on during cooking will increase the moisture in the meat and make the turkey even more tender. White meat either from turkey or chicken can be tough. Cooking these proteins with the bone and skin produces more tender meat.
Which turkey to choose?
It's up to you. If you consider cost a boneless turkey breast is cheaper and less of a mess. If you or someone in your family has any chewing or swallowing issues I would suggest the bone-in option.
Recipe
Tender Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 pound Turkey Breast boneless or whole turkey breast with bones (5 pounds)
- 4 tablespoons Rosemary about 2 fresh sprigs
- 1 tablespoon Sage 4-6 fresh leaves
- 2 cloves garlic peeled
- 4 Peppercorns
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Place turkey breast into your slow cooker
- Place fresh herbs, garlic, and peppercorns around the sides of the slow cooker
- Pour water over the turkey breast
- Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours
Nutrition
Here are some recipes you can prep with this turkey breast:
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