Description
Succulent crock pot turkey breast delivers tender, juicy meat with minimal effort. Herb-infused and slow-cooked, this simple recipe ensures you’ll enjoy a hassle-free, delicious meal that impresses family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bone-in turkey breast (5–7 lbs or 2.3–3.2 kg)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or melted butter)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
- 1 onion (quartered)
- 2 celery stalks (cut into large pieces)
- 2 carrots (cut into large pieces)
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously pat turkey breast dry with paper towels, then massage with olive oil or melted butter to enhance flavor and promote uniform browning.
- Seasoning: Craft a robust spice blend combining garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Thoroughly coat turkey breast, pressing seasonings into the meat to maximize flavor penetration.
- Base Layer: Construct a fragrant vegetable foundation in the crock pot using chopped onions, celery, and carrots. Deluge the vegetables with chicken or turkey broth to create a moisture-rich cooking environment.
- Positioning: Gently nestle the seasoned turkey breast atop the vegetable medley, positioning skin side up to optimize browning potential and flavor development.
- Slow Cooking: Secure the lid and set crock pot to low temperature. Cook for 6-7 hours, ensuring internal temperature reaches a safe 165F (74C) in the meat’s thickest section.
- Finishing: Optional crispy skin technique involves transferring cooked turkey to a baking sheet and broiling for 3-5 minutes, carefully monitoring to achieve golden-brown perfection without charring.
- Serving: Allow turkey to rest 10 minutes, enabling juice redistribution. Slice against the grain and plate with the succulent, herb-infused vegetables from the crock pot.
Notes
- Maximize Moisture: Pat the turkey breast completely dry before seasoning to lock in natural juices and prevent steaming, which can make meat tough and less flavorful.
- Customize Seasoning: Experiment with herb blends like rosemary, sage, or Italian seasoning to personalize the flavor profile while maintaining core spice proportions for balanced taste.
- Prevent Overcooking: Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature precisely, removing turkey immediately when it hits 165F to guarantee tender, succulent meat without dryness.
- Elevate Texture: If craving crispy skin, the optional broiling step is crucial – watch carefully during those 3-5 minutes to achieve golden-brown perfection without burning the surface.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg