Description
This Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe offers a juicy, flavorful turkey breast cooked gently in a slow cooker and finished under the broiler for a crispy, golden skin. The butter herb mixture infused under the skin bastes the meat during cooking, ensuring moisture and savory herb notes throughout. Perfect for an easy, fuss-free holiday centerpiece.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Seasoning
- 2.5 – 3 kg / 5-6 lb single turkey breast, skin on, bone in (not brined)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 brown onion, halved
- 1 head of garlic, halved horizontally
- 3 sprigs rosemary
- 8 sprigs thyme (optional)
- Oil, for drizzling (to crisp skin)
Garlic Herb Butter
- 150 g / 10 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh sage
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
Gravy Ingredients
- 1/3 cup / 50 g flour
- 1/2 tsp soy sauce (dark) or gravy colouring
- Chicken broth/stock, for topping up (if required)
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Herb Butter: In a bowl, mix together the softened unsalted butter, salt, black pepper, minced garlic, and finely chopped fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley) until well combined.
- Loosen Turkey Skin: Pat the turkey breast dry. Using a small knife, carefully cut a slit on one side of the breast to separate the skin from the flesh. Gently slide an upside-down tablespoon between the flesh and the skin all around the turkey to create space for the butter.
- Slather Butter Under and Over Skin: Spread about two-thirds of the garlic herb butter under the loosened skin, ensuring even coverage. Spread the remaining butter all over the surface of the skin and underside of the turkey breast.
- Season Skin: Sprinkle the turkey skin evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper. At this stage, you may refrigerate the turkey covered for up to two days to marinate and deepen flavor, if preferred.
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Place the halved garlic head and brown onion at the bottom of a 5-liter / 5-quart slow cooker. Put the turkey breast on top, skin side facing up. Arrange the rosemary and thyme sprigs over the turkey.
- Slow Cook the Turkey: Cook the turkey on low for 6 hours, checking at 4 hours to monitor progress. The turkey is done when an internal thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 75°C (165°F).
- Rest the Turkey: Using tongs, transfer the turkey breast to a baking tray and reserve the cooking juices. Loosely cover the turkey with foil and let it rest for 20 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Crisp the Skin: Remove the herb sprigs from the baking tray. Drizzle the turkey skin lightly with oil (avoid butter at this stage as it burns easily). Place the tray under a high broiler or grill about 30 cm (12 inches) from the heat source. Broil for 5 to 10 minutes, watching carefully, until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
- Make Gravy (Optional): Use reserved cooking juices to prepare a gravy by stirring in flour and dark soy sauce, adding chicken broth or stock as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Slice the rested turkey breast and serve with freshly made gravy or cranberry sauce on the side.
Notes
- Slathering garlic herb butter underneath the skin bastes the meat, keeping it moist and flavorful during slow cooking.
- This slow cooker method allows you to prepare turkey breast without brining or marinating beforehand.
- To achieve a crispy skin after slow cooking, finishing the turkey under the broiler is essential; oil helps crisp without burning.
- Checking the internal temperature is crucial to ensure the turkey is safely cooked; 75°C (165°F) is the recommended safe temperature.
- You can prepare the buttered turkey up to two days ahead and refrigerate before cooking to enhance flavors.
- The recipe video linked in the original article provides helpful tips for loosening the skin and applying the butter.
- This method provides an easy, hands-off approach to succulent turkey breast ideal for family meals or holiday dinners.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 387 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 1095 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 52 g
- Cholesterol: 166 mg
