Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe

If you’re looking for a recipe that’s utterly foolproof, wildly flavorful, and results in the juiciest turkey breast, I have just the thing for you. This Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe is one of my absolute favorites because it takes all the stress out of turkey day and fills your home with intoxicating aromas while you relax. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a holiday feast, this slow cooker method guarantees tender, herb-infused turkey every single time—you’ll love how easy and delicious it turns out.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe calls for simple, fresh ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen. Each element plays a role in layering flavor and ensuring your turkey breast stays moist and aromatic.

• Turkey breast (skin on, bone in): This is the star—skin on and bone in means more flavor and juiciness as it cooks slowly.
• Salt: Enhances the natural flavors and seasons the meat evenly.
• Black pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth to the turkey.
• Brown onion: Halving it adds a mild sweetness and fragrant base inside the slow cooker.
• Garlic head: Halved horizontally for mellow roasted garlic flavor without overpowering the meat.
• Fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs: The fresh herbs add vibrant earthy notes that infuse the turkey as it slow cooks.
• Oil: For drizzling before broiling to crisp up the skin without burning.
• Unsalted butter: Softened and mixed with herbs and garlic to create the flavorful slather under the skin.
• Minced fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley): Fresh is best for that aromatic punch inside the butter mixture.
• Chicken broth/stock: Optional, to top up the slow cooker juices if needed for gravy.
• Flour and soy sauce: For thickening the flavorful cooking juices into gravy later.

Variations

I love tweaking this Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe to match seasons and moods, so don’t be afraid to play around. You’ll find that little variations make it your own and keep it exciting every time.

• Add citrus zest: I sometimes sneak in a bit of lemon or orange zest to the herb butter—it lightens up the richness in the best way.
• Swap herbs: If fresh herbs are scarce, dried rosemary or thyme work too—just reduce quantity slightly since dried herbs are more concentrated.
• Spice it up: For a bit of heat, stir in red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika to the butter mix.
• Make it gluten-free: Use cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend for your gravy—just as tasty, trust me.

How to Make Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Garlic Herb Butter

First things first, mix your softened unsalted butter with minced garlic, salt, pepper, and finely chopped fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley). I discovered that doing this well in advance helps the flavors blend beautifully. This flavorful butter is key to keeping your turkey moist and layering in all those cozy herb aromas.

Step 2: Loosen the Skin and Slather the Butter

Now for the trickiest — but totally worth it — part. Pat your turkey breast nice and dry, then use a small knife to gently separate the skin from the flesh by sliding a spoon or your fingers underneath. This took me a couple of tries the first time! Then, smear about two-thirds of your garlic herb butter under the skin, spreading it evenly. Finish by covering the outside of the turkey with the remaining butter, making sure to get the underside too. This butter invasion bastes the meat as it cooks, keeping it incredibly juicy and flavorful.

Step 3: Season and Let it Rest

Sprinkle half a teaspoon of salt and some black pepper over the buttered skin for seasoning. At this stage, you can cook it right away or, if you want to plan ahead, cover and refrigerate it overnight or up to two days for even deeper flavor penetration.

Step 4: Set Up the Slow Cooker

Toss halved garlic head and brown onion into your slow cooker—mine’s a 5-liter model—and then gently place the turkey breast on top skin side up. Nestle the rosemary and thyme sprigs on and around it. This build-up forms a fragrant “bed” for your turkey as it cooks low and slow.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Set your slow cooker on low and let that turkey do its thing for about 6 hours. I always check around 4 hours, just to be sure and monitor progress, but the goal is to hit an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F) right in the thickest part. This guarantees the meat is safely cooked but still incredibly tender.

Step 6: Rest and Finish with Crispy Skin

When your timer rings, carefully transfer the turkey to a baking tray and tent it loosely with foil to rest for 20 minutes. This resting step lets all those flavorful juices redistribute evenly throughout the meat. Then, before serving, brush the turkey with a little oil (not butter—trust me, it can burn) and broil it under high heat for 5 to 10 minutes, watching closely, until the skin crisps up beautifully golden brown. That crispy skin against juicy meat is all kinds of irresistible.

How to Serve Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe

Garnishes

I keep it simple here—fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs scattered on the serving platter look elegant and echo the flavors inside the turkey. A few cranberries or a dollop of homemade cranberry sauce adds a pop of color and a sweet-tart contrast that my family absolutely adores.

Side Dishes

This turkey breast pairs wonderfully with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, and roasted Brussels sprouts. For a lighter touch, steamed green beans with toasted almonds or a crisp garden salad work beautifully too.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love arranging the carved turkey slices on a wooden board garnished with fresh herbs, roasted garlic cloves, and lemon wedges—it makes for a rustic yet stunning centerpiece. Adding colorful sides around the edges turns any meal into a festive feast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually slice the leftovers and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. The turkey keeps really well for up to 3-4 days, and those garlic-herb flavors intensify, making leftovers taste even better the next day.

Freezing

To freeze, pack the sliced turkey tightly in freezer-safe bags or containers. It freezes nicely for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and you’ll still get tasty, moist slices.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in a low oven (about 275°F/135°C), covered with foil to keep moisture in, or warm in a covered pan on the stovetop with a splash of broth. Avoid microwave reheating when possible—it can dry out the delicate turkey breast.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe has become my go-to whenever I want a hands-off meal that still feels special. I absolutely love how this turns out—juicy, fragrant, and with that irresistible herb butter flavor ingrained in every bite. If you’ve been hesitant about cooking turkey or just want to enjoy a no-fuss but impressive dish, give this recipe a try. Trust me, it’ll become a favorite in your rotation, too, and your family will be asking for seconds—just like mine does!

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