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Home » Recipes » Low Carb Recipes

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Comes Out Juicier Than the Oven.

Modified: Nov 3, 2026 by Kori Butler

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This crockpot turkey breast recipe is how I get a juicy, tender holiday turkey on the table without giving up my oven. A boneless turkey breast in the crock pot slow cooks on a bed of lemon, onion, and garlic with Italian herbs and comes out perfectly moist, with about 40 grams of protein per serving. It's naturally low-carb and gluten-free, and it's just as good for a cozy Sunday dinner as it is for Thanksgiving.

Sliced crockpot turkey breast on a white plate with a side of green beans.Pin
Jump to:
  • The backstory.
  • This crock pot turkey breast recipe is a must-make.
  • Let's talk texture and flavor.
  • What you'll need for slow cooker turkey breast.
  • Customize it your way.
  • Flexible dietary swaps.
  • How to cook turkey breast in the crock pot.
  • How to serve crock pot turkey breast.
  • Kori's tips for turkey breast in the crockpot.
  • FAQ's
  • 📖 The recipe.
  • Keep the good eats going.
  • 💬 What readers are saying.

The backstory.

Let's be honest. Nobody wants to spend the holidays babysitting a turkey, basting every 30 minutes and praying it doesn't come out dry. I wanted an easy, hands-off way to get a juicy turkey on the table, and my trusty crockpot came to the rescue. A few lemons, some garlic, a good herb rub, and hours later I had the most tender turkey breast ever, plus a wide-open oven for all the sides. Now it's my go-to holiday shortcut, and nobody ever guesses how easy it was!

xoxo Kori

This crock pot turkey breast recipe is a must-make.

If you want a slow cooker turkey breast that's juicy, flavorful, and practically hands-off, this is the one.

  • Juicy every time. Cooking low and slow on a bed of lemon and onion keeps the turkey moist and tender.
  • Frees up your oven. Your oven stays open for stuffing, sides, and pie on the big day.
  • Almost hands-off. Rub on the herbs, set it on the lemons and onions, and let the crockpot do the work.
  • High-protein and low-carb. It's gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and Whole30-friendly when you use broth instead of wine.

Juicy turkey, zero babysitting. Your oven (and your sanity) will thank you!

Let's talk texture and flavor.

Each slice is tender and juicy, with a savory herb crust on the outside and a bright lemon-garlic flavor all the way through. The lemon wedges, onion, and garlic steam up into the turkey as it cooks, and the wine and broth turn into rich, citrusy pan juices that make an amazing gravy.

What you'll need for slow cooker turkey breast.

Ingredients for lemon herb crockpot turkey breast.

Here's what you're going to need to make this lemon herb crockpot turkey breast.

  • Boneless turkey breast: a 4-pound breast feeds a crowd. Skin-on or skinless both work.
  • Lemons: wedges go under the turkey, and the zest goes in the herb rub.
  • Yellow onion and garlic: they make a shelf that keeps the turkey out of the liquid and flavor the juices.
  • White wine and low-sodium chicken broth: the cooking liquid and the base for your gravy. Use all broth if you prefer.
  • Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder: an easy herb rub with big flavor.
  • Olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper: help the seasoning stick and season the turkey.

Planning your holiday table? Make my make-ahead keto gravy, low carb keto stuffing, and make-ahead crockpot mashed potatoes, then finish with a 6-ingredient crustless pumpkin pie.

Customize it your way.

This crockpot turkey breast is easy to make your own with a few simple swaps and add-ins.

  • Swap the cut: use a bone-in turkey breast instead of boneless. It will take longer, so go by the thermometer.
  • Swap the wine: use more chicken broth or a splash of apple cider instead of white wine.
  • Swap the citrus: use orange wedges and orange zest instead of lemon for a sweeter, holiday flavor.
  • Swap the herbs: use poultry seasoning or chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage instead of Italian seasoning.
  • Add fresh herb sprigs: tuck rosemary and thyme sprigs under the turkey with the lemons.
  • Add vegetables: nestle halved baby potatoes and carrots around the onions for a one-pot dinner.

Flexible dietary swaps.

If you love slow cooker turkey but need to tweak a few things, here are easy ways to make it work for you.

  • Gluten-free: naturally gluten-free. Just check that your broth is labeled gluten-free.
  • Dairy-free: dairy-free as written.
  • Low-carb and keto: naturally low-carb. Serve with creamy cauliflower mashed potatoes and keto gravy.
  • Whole30 and paleo: use chicken broth instead of wine and choose a compliant broth.
  • Lower-sodium: use unsalted broth and cut the kosher salt in half. Check that your turkey breast isn't pre-brined, since many are.

How to cook turkey breast in the crock pot.

This is a quick overview. See the recipe card below for exact amounts and times.

  1. Build a shelf. Place the onion halves, lemon wedges, and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker and pour in the broth and wine.
  2. Season. Pat the turkey dry, rub it with olive oil, and coat it with the lemon zest and herb mixture.
  3. Slow cook. Set the turkey on the lemons and onions, cover, and cook until the thickest part reaches 160°F.
  4. Rest and slice. Tent with foil for 10 minutes. The temperature rises to 165°F as it rests. Slice against the grain.
Lemon wedges, onion, garlic, and fresh herbs in the bottom of a slow cooker.
Herb-rubbed turkey breast set on lemons and onions in a crockpot.
Sliced crockpot turkey breast on a white plate after resting.

How to serve crock pot turkey breast.

Crockpot turkey breast is the star of any holiday table or weeknight dinner. Here are a few favorite ways to serve it.

  • With gravy made from the citrusy juices in the pot
  • Alongside crockpot green beans and green bean casserole with bacon
  • With sugar-free cranberry sauce and maple balsamic Brussels sprouts
  • Thinly sliced for sandwiches and salads all week
  • Turned into leftover turkey pot pie

Kori's tips for turkey breast in the crockpot.

  • Trust the thermometer, not the clock. Turkey breasts vary in size and slow cookers run hot or cool. Start checking early and pull it at 160°F.
  • Let it rest. Tent with foil for 10 minutes. The temperature climbs to a safe 165°F and the juices settle back into the meat.
  • Pat dry, don't rinse. Rinsing raw poultry spreads bacteria around your sink. Patting it dry helps the herb rub stick.
  • Want golden skin? The slow cooker won't brown the skin. Broil the cooked turkey for 3 to 5 minutes, watching closely.
  • Save the juices. Strain the liquid in the pot and simmer it into a quick, flavorful gravy.

FAQ's

How long does turkey breast take in the crockpot?

A 4-pound boneless turkey breast takes about 5 to 6 hours on low or 2½ to 3 hours on high. Always go by temperature: cook until the thickest part reaches 160°F, then rest it to 165°F.

Can I use a bone-in turkey breast?

Yes. A bone-in breast takes longer, so check the internal temperature and cook until the thickest part reaches 160°F before resting.

Can I put a frozen turkey breast in the crockpot?

No. Thaw it in the refrigerator first, which takes 1 to 2 days. A frozen breast stays in the unsafe temperature zone too long in a slow cooker.

What's the best way to store it?

Refrigerate sliced turkey in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.

What's the best way to reheat it?

Add a splash of broth or pan juices and warm it covered in a 300°F oven or in the microwave so it doesn't dry out.

📌 Be sure to save this pin to Pinterest for later!

Pinterest pin of sliced Tuscan-style slow cooker turkey breast on a white plate with lemon and green beans.Pin

Can I ask you a favor?

If you tried this recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give the recipe a 5 star rating and leave a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please follow me on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Subscribe to my newsletter to get healthy fresh recipe ideas every week!

📖 The recipe.

Sliced lemon herb crockpot turkey breast garnished with fresh herbs and lemon zest.

Lemon Herb Crockpot Turkey Breast

This juicy crockpot turkey breast slow cooks on a bed of lemon, onion, and garlic with Italian herbs. It's a hands-off, high-protein, low-carb Thanksgiving shortcut that frees up your oven.
4.67 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Author Kori Butler
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 6 hours hrs
Total Time 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course Slow Cooker Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings
Calories 224 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup white wine (or chicken broth)
  • 1 yellow onion (peeled and cut in half horizontally)
  • 2 lemons (cut into 4 wedges each)
  • 5 to 6 garlic cloves (peeled)
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 teaspoons italian seasoning
  • 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1½ teaspoons onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 pound boneless turkey breast

Instructions
 

  • Place the onion, lemon wedges, and garlic cloves on the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a shelf for the turkey to sit on.
    Lemon wedges, onion, garlic, and fresh herbs in the bottom of a slow cooker.
  • Add chicken broth and wine to the slow cooker.
    Pouring lemon juice into the crockpot for making slow cooker turkey breast.
  • In a small bowl combine lemon zest, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. 
  • Pat the turkey dry. Rub olive oil on the turkey breast and then coat it with the herb, salt, and pepper mixture. Place the turkey breast on top of the onion, garlic, and lemon wedges.
    Herb-rubbed turkey breast set on lemons and onions in a crockpot.
  • Cover and cook 5 to 6 hours on low or 2½ to 3 hours on high, until the thickest part of the turkey breast reaches 160°F. Remove from slow cooker and tent with foil. Allow it to sit 10 minutes before slicing.
    (Tip: start checking the temperature early. Turkey breasts vary in size, and slow cookers run hot or cool.)

Kori's Tips

For more helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes check out my post above.
TIPS: Trust the thermometer, not the clock. Pull the turkey at 160°F, then tent it with foil for 10 minutes so it rises to a safe 165°F. Pat the turkey dry instead of rinsing it so the herb rub sticks. The slow cooker won't brown the skin, so broil it for 3 to 5 minutes if you want golden color. Strain the juices left in the pot for an easy, flavorful gravy.
VARIATIONS: Use orange wedges and orange zest instead of lemon for a sweeter holiday flavor. Tuck fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs under the turkey, or nestle halved baby potatoes and carrots around the onions for a one-pot dinner. Serve with crockpot green beans, and turn leftovers into turkey pot pie.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Use more chicken broth or a splash of apple cider instead of white wine. Use a bone-in turkey breast instead of boneless, but plan on a longer cook time and go by the thermometer. Swap the Italian seasoning for poultry seasoning or chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage.

Nutrition

Serving: 10servingsCalories: 224kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 39gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 491mgPotassium: 455mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 39IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @seekinggoodeatsofficial or tag #seekinggoodeats! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

© 2026 Seeking Good Eats™

Keep the good eats going.

  • Make Ahead Keto Gravy
  • Low Carb Keto Stuffing
  • Make Ahead Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
  • Creamy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
  • Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
  • Sugar-Free Fresh Cranberry Sauce
  • Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
  • 6-Ingredient Crustless Pumpkin Pie
  • Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
  • Juicy Turkey with Crispy Seasoned Coating

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lois Smith

    July 15, 2019 at 1:22 pm

    Where did you find a 14 lb. turkey breast?

    Reply
    • Kori

      July 15, 2019 at 2:41 pm

      Hi Lois! It's one 4lb turkey breast. 🙂 I can see where 1 4lb turkey breast might look like 14lbs though! Have a great day!

      Reply
      • Theresamckinnon

        July 07, 2023 at 11:02 am

        Can I add fennel to this recipe

        Reply
        • Kori

          July 08, 2023 at 10:18 am

          Yes! Absolutely. Great idea! 🙂

          Reply
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Hey there, I'm Kori.

I’m a culinary school-trained chef specializing in holistic nutrition and wellness. I’ve always been a major foodie, and as I’ve aged, the full impact of my love of food—and not-necessarily-healthy eating habits—caught up to me. In an effort to make positive changes in my life (and hopefully yours, too), I created this website where I could share crave-worthy, low-carb recipes, from cozy comfort food to big fresh salads.

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