Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Citrus and Herbs Recipe
This Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe offers a tender, flavorful turkey breast cooked low and slow with a combination of fresh herbs, spices, and citrus for a juicy and aromatic meal. The method preserves moisture while infusing the turkey with rich flavors under a crisped finish using the broiler. Perfect for an easy, hands-off main dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-8 hours (depends on slow cooker setting) or about 40-50 minutes in Instant Pot plus broiling
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker) or about 1 hour 15 minutes (Instant Pot + broiling + resting)
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey Breast
- 5–7 pound bone-in turkey breast
- 4 tablespoons ghee or butter
- 1 tablespoon oil of your choice
- 3–4 sprigs fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 lemon or orange, sliced
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon pepper
For Instant Pot Option
- 1 cup water or broth
Instructions
- Prepare the Turkey: Rinse and pat the turkey breast dry thoroughly. Carefully loosen the skin without tearing, then spread ghee or butter underneath the skin to impart richness. Rub the oil all over the outside of the turkey for moisture and flavor enhancement.
- Season the Turkey: Mix together salt, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper in a small bowl. Liberally rub this seasoning blend over the entire turkey, ensuring even coverage for optimal flavor.
- Set Up Slow Cooker: Place the sliced onion, lemon (or orange), and sprigs of fresh herbs at the bottom of the slow cooker. These aromatics will infuse the turkey with delicate citrus and herbal notes during cooking.
- Add the Turkey to Slow Cooker: Position the prepared turkey breast atop the aromatics in the slow cooker, breast side up for even cooking.
- Cook Slowly: Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, ensuring safe and juicy results.
- Instant Pot Preparation (optional): Pour 1 cup of water or broth into the Instant Pot and place the trivet inside. Add the sliced onion, lemon, and fresh herbs on top of the trivet, then place the seasoned turkey breast on the trivet, breast side up.
- Cook in Instant Pot: Cook under pressure according to turkey breast size until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before performing a quick release.
- Rest the Turkey: Transfer the cooked turkey breast to a cutting board and loosely tent with foil. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes to allow juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness.
- Broil for Crisp Skin: Preheat your oven broiler to high. Place the rested turkey on a baking sheet, then broil for 3-5 minutes or until the skin is crisp and golden to your liking.
- Serve: Slice your juicy, herbaceous turkey breast and serve with your favorite sides for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Using ghee or butter under the skin helps keep the meat juicy and adds rich flavor.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on slow cooker or Instant Pot model and turkey size—always check internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- The citrus and fresh herbs add bright, fresh flavor but can be swapped with other herbs like sage or tarragon.
- Broiling at the end ensures a crispy skin, which contrasts nicely with the tender, slow-cooked meat.
- Resting is critical to avoid drying out the turkey; do not skip this step.
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