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.

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.

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.
- 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.
- Season. Pat the turkey dry, rub it with olive oil, and coat it with the lemon zest and herb mixture.
- Slow cook. Set the turkey on the lemons and onions, cover, and cook until the thickest part reaches 160°F.
- Rest and slice. Tent with foil for 10 minutes. The temperature rises to 165°F as it rests. Slice against the grain.



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
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.
Yes. A bone-in breast takes longer, so check the internal temperature and cook until the thickest part reaches 160°F before resting.
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.
Refrigerate sliced turkey in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
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.
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📖 The recipe.

Lemon Herb Crockpot Turkey Breast
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.

- Add chicken broth and wine to the slow cooker.

- 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.

- 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
Nutrition
© 2026 Seeking Good Eats™





Lois Smith
Where did you find a 14 lb. turkey breast?
Kori
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!
Theresamckinnon
Can I add fennel to this recipe
Kori
Yes! Absolutely. Great idea! 🙂