Print

Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Easy Homemade Gravy

slow cooker turkey breast - featured image

This incredibly juicy slow cooker turkey breast is perfectly tender and never dry, with a rich homemade gravy made from the natural cooking juices. It’s a hands-off, foolproof recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–5 pounds bone-in, skin-on turkey breast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together dried thyme, dried rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub the turkey all over with the spice mix. Gently lift the skin and rub 1 tablespoon of softened butter directly onto the meat. Place the remaining butter on top of the skin.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Sear the turkey breast skin-side down for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Place the smashed garlic cloves in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour in the broth. Carefully place the seared turkey breast on top, skin-side up.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
  6. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest for 10-15 minutes.
  7. Pour the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium saucepan. Skim off excess fat. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  8. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering liquid. Continue whisking for 1-2 minutes until the gravy thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Slice the rested turkey against the grain into thick slices. Arrange on a platter, pour gravy over the top, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Searing the turkey breast before slow cooking is crucial for deep flavor. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches 165°F (74°C). Let the turkey rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to keep it moist. For a richer gravy, substitute broth with dry white wine. If the gravy is too thin, let it simmer longer or add more cornstarch slurry; if too thick, whisk in a splash of broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker turkey breast, juicy turkey breast, homemade gravy, easy turkey recipe, Thanksgiving turkey, bone-in turkey breast, slow cooker recipe