Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Turkey Breast

You know what I love about cooking turkey breast? It doesn't have to wait for Thanksgiving to make an appearance at our dinner table. Last month, Amy asked me why we only eat turkey during the holidays, and honestly, I didn't have a good answer. That's when I started making this Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Turkey Breast, and it's become one of our family's most-requested weeknight dinners.

This recipe takes all the stress out of cooking turkey. No complicated techniques, no worrying about dry meat, just your crockpot doing all the work while you go about your day. The lemon and herbs give it such a bright, fresh flavor that John always goes back for seconds. Bradley, who usually turns his nose up at anything "too healthy," actually asks when I'm making this again.

I've tested this recipe at least a dozen times, tweaking the herb amounts and cooking times until it was just right. What makes me happiest is how the turkey comes out tender and juicy every single time. If you're looking for an easy way to put a delicious protein on the table without spending hours in the kitchen, this is it.

Plus, the leftovers are amazing. We use them for sandwiches, salads, and sometimes I'll shred the meat for turkey tacos. It's one of those recipes that keeps giving throughout the week. If you love simple slow cooker recipes that deliver big flavor, you might also enjoy my Tuscan Chicken Recipe that uses similar herbs but with chicken instead.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Easy Turkey Breast Recipe
• What You'll Need For This Lemon Herb Turkey
• How To Make Turkey Breast In Your Crockpot
• Storing Your Leftover Slow Cooker Turkey
• Tips And Variations For The Best Turkey Breast
• Frequently Asked Questions About This Turkey Recipe
• Recipes You May Like
• Final Thoughts On This Simple Turkey Dinner
• Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Turkey Breast

Why You'll Love This Easy Turkey Breast Recipe

Here's what makes this slow cooker turkey breast so special:

• Super simple preparation - Just 10 minutes of prep time and your slow cooker does the rest of the work
• Perfectly moist every time - The broth keeps the turkey breast incredibly tender and juicy, never dry
• Fresh herb flavor - Rosemary, lemon zest, and Italian seasoning create a bright taste that's not heavy
• Makes great leftovers - This turkey tastes just as good the next day for sandwiches or salads
• Works for any occasion - Perfect for holiday dinners, Sunday meals, or easy weeknight protein
• Minimal cleanup required - One pot cooking means less time doing dishes

What You'll Need For This Lemon Herb Turkey

Let me walk you through the ingredients. Most of these are probably already in your kitchen, which is one reason I make this so often.

For the turkey:

• 3 lbs. boneless skinless turkey breast - You can use anywhere from 2-3 pounds depending on your family size
• 2 cups turkey broth - Chicken broth works perfectly fine too, I've used both
• ¼ cup salted butter, thinly sliced, divided - This helps keep everything moist and adds richness
• 2 tsp. lemon zest - Fresh is best here, it makes such a difference
• 2 tsp. Italian seasoning, divided - My go-to herb blend for this recipe
• 2 sprigs of rosemary - Fresh rosemary gives the best flavor
• 1 Tbsp. garlic, minced, divided - Or use ½ tsp. garlic powder if that's what you have

For serving:

• Turkey gravy or chicken gravy - Totally optional but Amy loves it

The butter is something I learned to include after my first attempt came out a bit bland. It adds so much flavor and helps the herbs stick to the turkey. Don't skip it.

How To Make Turkey Breast In Your Crockpot

This is where the magic happens. I promise you'll be surprised at how simple this is.

1. Prepare your slow cooker base - Pour the turkey broth into your 6-8 quart crockpot. Add 4-6 thin slices of butter to the broth, then sprinkle in half of the lemon zest, Italian seasoning, and garlic. This creates a flavorful cooking liquid.

2. Add the turkey breast - Place your turkey breast right on top of those butter slices in the crockpot. The butter will melt and coat the bottom of the turkey as it cooks.

3. Season the top - Take the remaining lemon zest, Italian seasoning, garlic, and butter slices and spread them evenly over the top of the turkey breast. Don't be shy here, you want good coverage.

4. Add the rosemary - Tuck those 2 sprigs of rosemary into the crockpot. I usually put one on each side of the turkey breast.

5. Set it and forget it - Cover your crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. I usually go with low if I'm starting it in the morning before work.

6. Check for doneness - Use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This is really important for food safety.

7. Rest and slice - Remove the turkey from the crockpot and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This helps keep the juices in.

8. Serve with love - Slice your turkey and serve it with gravy and fresh lemon slices if you want that extra citrus punch.

The first time I made this, I wasn't sure about the cooking time. My turkey was closer to 2.5 pounds, and it was done in about 5 hours on low. Just keep an eye on that internal temperature, and you'll be golden.

Storing Your Leftover Slow Cooker Turkey

One of the best parts about making this turkey breast is having leftovers for the week. Here's what works best.

Refrigerator storage: Put your cooked turkey in an airtight container and it'll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days. I like to slice it before storing so it's ready to grab for quick lunches.

Freezer storage: This turkey freezes beautifully. Use a freezer-safe container and it'll last up to 4 months. Make sure you thaw it completely in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating tips: The best way to reheat this turkey is gently in the microwave with a splash of broth to keep it moist. You can also reheat slices in a covered skillet over low heat.

Leftover ideas: We use this turkey for sandwiches with cranberry sauce, chop it up for salads, or shred it for turkey and rice bowls. Last week, Amy helped me make turkey quesadillas with the leftovers, and they were so good.

Tips And Variations For The Best Turkey Breast

After making this recipe more times than I can count, here are some things I've learned along the way.

About the turkey size: If you're using a larger turkey breast (closer to 4 pounds), add an extra hour to the cooking time. Always check that internal temperature to be sure.

Want crispy skin? If you use a turkey breast with skin, make it in the crockpot as written, then transfer to a baking dish and put it under the broiler for a few minutes. Just don't put your slow cooker insert in the oven because it's not meant for that high heat.

Oven method option: You can absolutely make this in the oven instead. Bake at 375°F for 40-60 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. I do this when I want it ready faster.

Herb substitutions: Don't have Italian seasoning? Use a mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme. Fresh herbs work great too, just use about three times as much.

Make it your own: Sometimes I add sliced onions to the bottom of the crockpot for extra flavor. You can also throw in some baby potatoes and carrots to make it a complete meal.

Gravy from the drippings: The liquid left in your crockpot makes an amazing base for gravy. Just strain it, bring it to a simmer in a saucepan, and whisk in a flour or cornstarch slurry to thicken it up.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Turkey Recipe

Recipes You May Like

If you enjoyed this simple slow cooker turkey breast, here are some other family favorites from my kitchen:

• The Best Meatloaf Recipe - Another easy main dish that makes great leftovers for sandwiches
• Mongolian Beef - When you want something with bold Asian flavors but just as simple
• Honey Sesame Chicken - A weeknight dinner that my whole family requests regularly

Final Thoughts On This Simple Turkey Dinner

This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Turkey Breast has honestly changed how I think about cooking turkey. It's not just for holidays anymore. It's for Tuesday nights when I need something easy but special. It's for when company comes over and I want to impress them without stressing out in the kitchen.

The combination of lemon, rosemary, and Italian herbs gives this turkey such a fresh taste. It's light enough for summer but comforting enough for those cooler Nashville evenings when you want something warm and satisfying.

What I really love is watching my family enjoy it. Bradley always asks if there will be leftovers for his lunch the next day. Amy likes to help me prep the ingredients and check on the slow cooker throughout the day. John appreciates that dinner's ready when he gets home without me being exhausted from cooking.

Give this recipe a try for your next family dinner. Start it in the morning, go about your day, and come home to the most amazing smell filling your kitchen. Your family will think you spent hours cooking, but we'll know the truth.

Don't forget to save this recipe to Pinterest so you can find it easily when you need it. I'd love to hear how it turns out for you and your family!

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