Italian-Style Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is wonderfully juicy and full of flavor, inspired by the bright, herb-scented tastes of the Italian countryside—lemon, garlic, onion, and fresh herbs. It’s also incredibly easy to make and perfect for weeknights or holiday meals.
Best Turkey Breast in Crock Pot Recipe
“Who knew you could have turkey for a weeknight meal and not just Thanksgiving? This recipe is easy to make and easy to clean up. Your family will love it!”
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- So juicy: Cooking turkey low and slow in wine and citrus juices yields a very tender, moist breast.
- Hands-off and simple: Aside from rubbing the turkey with olive oil and seasoning, everything goes into the slow cooker and does the work for you.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep the turkey in advance and start the slow cooker when you need it—ideal for busy holidays.
- Healthy: This recipe is naturally gluten free and low carb. You can keep it keto-friendly by making a gravy from the pan juices with a bit of butter or thickener of choice.
Turkey Breast Slow Cooker Recipe Ingredients
The ingredients are straightforward and likely already in your pantry or fridge.
- Boneless turkey breast (about 4 pounds). A bone-in breast can be used—expect a longer cook time. Skin-on is fine.
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup white wine (or substitute additional chicken broth)
- 1 yellow onion, peeled and cut in half horizontally
- 2 lemons, each cut into 4 wedges
- 5–6 garlic cloves, peeled
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
For full servings and nutrition details, see the recipe information below.
How To Cook Turkey Breast in the Crockpot
Follow these simple steps for a tender, citrus-herbed slow cooker turkey breast.
- Arrange the onion halves, lemon wedges, and peeled garlic cloves in the bottom of a 5–6 quart slow cooker to create a flavor base and a shelf for the turkey.
- Pour the chicken broth and white wine into the slow cooker around the aromatics.
- In a small bowl, combine lemon zest, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Rinse and pat the turkey breast dry. Rub the turkey all over with olive oil, then coat it evenly with the seasoning mixture.
- Place the seasoned turkey breast on top of the onion, lemon, and garlic bed. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F when measured with an instant-read thermometer. Remove the turkey, tent with foil, and let rest 10 minutes—the temperature will rise to the safe 165°F while resting.
How To Serve Crock Pot Turkey Breast
- After resting 5–10 minutes under foil, slice the turkey against the grain for the best texture.
- Use the cooking juices to make a simple citrus-herb gravy or pan sauce—skim the fat, reduce the liquid, and finish with a pat of butter or a low-carb thickener if desired.
- Serve alongside seasonal vegetables, mashed potatoes or a cauliflower mash for a low-carb option, and a fresh salad.
Best Tips For Cooking Turkey Breast in the Crockpot
Kori’s Tips
- Measure doneness with an instant-read thermometer: turkey is safe at 165°F. Many cooks remove the breast at 160°F, tent it with foil, and allow carryover heat to finish it to 165°F while resting for 10 minutes.
- If your turkey has skin, it won’t brown in the slow cooker. For crispy skin, place the breast under the broiler for a few minutes after slow cooking—watch closely to avoid burning.
- Substitutions: Replace the wine with extra chicken broth if you prefer. A bone-in turkey breast is an option; cooking time will be longer and vary by size.
- Make-ahead: Prep the aromatics, seasoning, and turkey the day before and refrigerate. Add the liquids and start the slow cooker when you’re ready.
The Recipe
Italian-Style Juicy Crock Pot Turkey Breast
This slow cooker turkey breast is easy to prepare and delivers tender, citrus- and herb-forward flavor. It’s ideal for both weeknight dinners and holiday feasts.
Author: Kori Butler
Prep time: 10 mins • Cook time: 7 hrs • Total time: 7 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 10 • Calories: 163 kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1 yellow onion, halved
- 2 lemons, cut into wedges
- 5–6 garlic cloves, peeled
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1½ tsp garlic powder
- 1½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 lb boneless turkey breast
Instructions
- Place onion halves, lemon wedges, and garlic in the bottom of a 5–6 quart slow cooker to make a flavor base.
- Pour in chicken broth and white wine.
- Mix lemon zest, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Rinse and pat the turkey dry. Rub with olive oil and coat with the seasoning mixture. Place the turkey on top of the aromatics.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, checking with an instant-read thermometer. Remove when the internal temperature reaches 160°F, tent with foil, and let rest 10 minutes (final temperature should be 165°F).
Notes
- Top tip: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure perfect doneness.
- Serving suggestion: Make a gravy from the juices or serve sliced turkey with vegetables and mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash.
- Leftovers can be used in sandwiches, salads, or soups.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 163 kcal • Carbs: 5.8 g • Protein: 22.3 g • Fat: 5.8 g • Sodium: 224 mg • Fiber: 0.5 g • Sugar: 1.5 g • Cholesterol: 52 mg
More Turkey Recipes
If you enjoy this slow cooker turkey, try other simple turkey dishes like turkey burgers or a turkey pot pie made with leftover meat for more family-friendly meals.
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