Craving the flavor of fresh turkey breast? This easy slow cooker turkey breast recipe is delicious served hot with gravy or cold with a little mayo on a soft deli roll. Whatever way you choose, homemade is best!
I hate standing in line at the deli. It is almost like an Olympic sport some days. People shoving each other out of the way to get a number. Shouting so that they can be heard over loud talking shoppers and crying children.
And then there is my favorite line from behind the counter: "I'm sorry, we are all out of our fresh roasted turkey off the bone..... Is there something else I can get for you instead"?
Jump to:
Thanks to your slow cooker making your own turkey is beyond easy! This will guarantee that your turkey will have no preservatives, exactly the spices you like, and an amazing, fresh taste! Healthy, natural, and delicious - a winning combo for sure!
📃Shopping list
You just need some raw turkey breast and the following pantry staples:
- Garlic salt
- Smoked paprika
- Fresh ground pepper
🔪How To Make Delicious Slow Cooker Turkey
Place your turkey breast into the slow cooker (I love using a slow cooker liner for easier cleanup, but that is, of course, an optional step). Sprinkle seasonings and rub them all over the turkey.
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, depending on the size of your turkey. A 2lb breast will usually be done on the earlier side while a larger 4lb breast can take 6+ hours.
The best way to determine exactly when your turkey is ready is by using a meat thermometer. According to the USDA, Turkey is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Cooking it much beyond that will make it dry and tough.
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🍽Serving suggestions
This turkey can be sliced thickly and eaten hot. It is great with all the usual trimmings such as gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing (or dressing), and cranberry sauce. If your turkey accidentally becomes a little dryer than you would like, gravy and cranberry sauce are wonderful covers!
This turkey is also amazing served cold and I often make it just for sandwiches. When serving cold, I prefer to slice it as thin as possible, without the turkey falling apart.
Storing leftovers
Leftovers should be wrapped well in plastic wrap or an air-tight bag. Freshly sliced turkey breast should last in the refrigerator for about 5 days and can also be frozen for future use. It will last in your freezer for 3-4 months.
If you love this recipe, please let me know in the comment section below!
😉Turkey Breast Hints & Hacks:
- I have cooked this with both fresh and frozen breasts. Believe it or not, the frozen seems to come out a little juicier and more flavorful.
- Feel free to vary the spices. Especially if there is a different type of flavor you are trying to achieve. One alternative I love is to use rotisserie seasoning.
- I suggest slicing with a good electric knife. Always slice against the grain. If I am using my turkey in sandwiches, I slice it on the thin side. For a hot meal, thicker slices work well.
- Does your turkey have skin (the one pictures was purchased without skin)? After cooking, place it under the broiler for 4-5 minutes to make the skin crisp. Watch it carefully though, it can go from crisp to burned very quickly.
- Turkey is not a great dish to leave on warm for long periods of time in your slow cooker. It will dry out quickly.
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📖 Recipe
Lazy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe
Equipment
- 3.5 or larger slow cooker
- tongs
Ingredients
- 2-4 lb Turkey breast
- 1-2 teaspoon Garlic salt
- 1-2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Place turkey in slow cooker pot and sprinkle or rub with seasonings.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours depending on size of turkey breast (until breast reaches an internal temp of 165°F)
- Remove breast from heat and allow to rest before slicing. If you plan to eat the breast cold, you may want to wait until it is fully cooled to slice as it will be easier to get thinner slices.
- If your breast has skin, before slicing, place under the broiler for 4-5 minutes to crisp the skin. Watch closely, it can easily go from crisp to burned.
Nutrition
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Lisa Hewitt says
This sounds delightful......but i wanna know what deli you go to. Lol. I've never experienced that here in North America. In Cairo Egypt at a meat market yes......in North America no...
admin says
I am from the east coast and I love Jewish deli’s. I have always felt they have the best fresh roasted “turkey off the bone” anywhere. But they are often just as described. Busy, loud and chaotic - in a fun sort of way. I haven’t been to a meat market in Cairo, though. I imagine it is a different kind of loud there!
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