If you love easy dinners that practically cook themselves, this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Freezer Meal is going to be a family favorite! It’s one of those recipes I love having on hand for busy days when I don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen. Just add a boneless turkey breast to the slow cooker with lemon, sweet onion, and chicken broth, put the lid on, and let it cook while you go about your day. By dinnertime, you’ll have tender, juicy turkey ready to slice and serve!
I like to use a pre-seasoned boneless turkey breast because it saves so much time. There is very little prep involved, and the best part is that you can also prepare it ahead as a freezer meal.
This is a Recipe you’ll be happy to have in your meal rotation. With only four ingredients, 5 minutes of prep, and about 8 hours of slow cooking, getting dinner on the table couldn’t be much easier.
It’s an easy meal that works well for Sunday family dinners, holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving, weekly meal prep and even making turkey sandwiches.
It is also naturally gluten-free when you use suitable broth and seasonings.
You can also prepare it as a freezer meal by assembling the ingredients in a freezer-safe bag, labeling it, and freezing it for later. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before transferring everything to the slow cooker.
- Serve: 6 servings
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 8 hours
- Total time: 8 hours and 5 minutes
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 4 ingredients: Nothing fancy is needed to make this easy turkey dinner.
- Just 5 minutes of prep: Add everything to the slow cooker and you’re ready to go.
- Easy dump-and-go meal: Let the slow cooker handle the cooking while you take care of other things.
- Tender and juicy: The chicken broth adds moisture and flavor.
- Great freezer meal: Prepare it ahead of time for those days when cooking feels like one more thing on your to-do list.
- Perfect for smaller gatherings: A 4-pound turkey breast makes 6 servings.
- Great for leftovers: Use extra turkey for sandwiches, salads, soups, and casseroles.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need four simple ingredients for this recipe. I love recipes like this because you don’t have to make a special trip to the grocery store for a long list of ingredients.
- 4 pounds boneless seasoned turkey breast, thawed: I like using a pre-seasoned boneless turkey breast because it saves time. Most are sold frozen, so remember to thaw yours in the refrigerator before cooking. If yours isn’t seasoned, you can add poultry seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- 1 lemon, quartered: Fresh lemon adds a little brightness and goes so well with turkey.
- 1/4 cup sweet onion, diced: The onion adds flavor to the meat and the cooking juices.
- 1 cup chicken broth: Don’t skip this ingredient! The broth helps keep the turkey moist during the long cooking time and gives you flavorful drippings to serve with dinner.
A little ingredient tip: Check the seasoning and broth labels for pork-derived ingredients and other unsuitable additives.
How to Make This Recipe
This is one of those recipes that doesn’t need much fuss. You’ll need a 6-quart slow cooker, a knife, and a meat thermometer. That’s it!
Step 1: Add the turkey breast.
Place the thawed turkey breast in your 6-quart slow cooker. If it has netting, remove it with kitchen scissors before cooking, provided the packaging instructions allow you to do so.
Step 2: Add the lemon and onion.
Place the quartered lemon on and around the turkey breast. Sprinkle the diced sweet onion over the top. No need to do anything fancy here. Just spread everything out.
Step 3: Pour in the chicken broth.
Pour 1 cup of chicken broth over and around the turkey. This will help keep the turkey moist while it cooks and give you some tasty juices for serving.
Step 4: Let the slow cooker do the work.
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for approximately 8 hours. If you’re home, start checking the temperature around 5 to 6 hours, especially if you have a smaller turkey breast. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part. The turkey needs to reach at least 165°F before serving.
Step 5: Slice and serve.
Once the turkey is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest for about 10 minutes. Slice it into even pieces and spoon some of those delicious cooking juices over the top. Serve with your favorite sides, and dinner is ready!
Tips
Here are a few little things I’ve learned that help make this recipe turn out nicely every time.
- Don’t skip the broth. It adds moisture and gives you flavorful cooking juices. You’ll be glad you have them when it’s time to serve the turkey.
- Use a meat thermometer. This is the easiest way to know when your turkey is ready. Check the thickest part and make sure it reaches 165°F.
- Check smaller turkey breasts early. Not every turkey breast is the same size. Some may finish cooking before the full 8 hours, so start checking around 5 to 6 hours.
- Remove the netting before cooking. If the packaging instructions allow, use kitchen scissors to remove it before placing the turkey in the slow cooker. It’s much easier than trying to remove it afterward.
- Make gravy with the drippings. Strain the cooking juices into a small saucepan. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water, then whisk it into the simmering juices until thickened. Homemade gravy is always a nice addition!
- Want crispy skin? If your turkey breast has skin, place it on a baking sheet after cooking and broil for 3 to 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it because it can brown quickly.
Freezer Meal Instructions
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that you can get it ready ahead of time. Having a freezer meal waiting for a busy day makes dinner so much easier!
- Prepare the turkey: Place the turkey breast in a large freezer-safe bag. If it’s frozen and you cannot remove the netting, leave it on until the turkey has thawed.
- Add the ingredients: Add the lemon quarters, diced onion, and chicken broth. For better quality, you can keep the lemon and broth separate and add them on cooking day.
- Label the bag: Write the recipe name and date on the bag so you know what you have ready in the freezer.
- Freeze: Seal the bag, remove as much air as possible, and place it in the freezer.
- Thaw: When you’re ready to make dinner, place the bag in a pan and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. The pan will catch any liquid if the bag leaks.
- Cook: Once completely thawed, transfer the turkey and ingredients to your slow cooker. Remove the netting with scissors if needed, cover, and cook on LOW until the thickest part reaches 165°F.
Important: Always thaw the turkey completely in the refrigerator before cooking. Never put a frozen turkey breast directly into the slow cooker.
Easy Variations to Try
If you make this recipe often, you can switch up the flavors with a few simple additions.
Herb Butter Turkey Breast: Rub the turkey with butter, garlic, sage, and thyme before cooking. It gives the turkey a lovely flavor, especially for a holiday dinner.
Cranberry Turkey Breast: Add a can of whole-berry cranberry sauce over the turkey before cooking. The sweet and tangy flavor is so good with turkey!
Ranch Turkey Breast: Sprinkle a packet of ranch seasoning over the turkey before adding the broth. Check the ingredients if you need a gluten-free option and make sure the seasoning is suitable for your dietary requirements.
Bone-In Turkey Breast: You can use a bone-in turkey breast if it fits inside your slow cooker. Cooking time may be different, so check the thickest part with a meat thermometer and make sure it reaches 165°F.
Turkey Breast with Vegetables: Add baby potatoes and peeled carrots underneath the turkey before cooking. They will soak up some of the flavorful broth and give you an easy one-pot dinner.
What to Serve with It
I love serving this turkey with simple sides that make it feel like a complete family dinner. You really don’t need anything fancy!
Here are a few ideas:
- Creamy mashed potatoes.
- Roasted carrots and green beans.
- Fluffy white rice.
- Roasted sweet potatoes.
- Fresh garden salad.
- Steamed broccoli.
- Garlic roasted potatoes.
- Homemade dinner rolls made with suitable ingredients.
If you’re making this for a small Thanksgiving dinner, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and cranberry sauce are wonderful choices.
Storage Tips
If you have leftovers, don’t worry! This turkey is just as handy for meals later in the week.
- Refrigerator: Store leftover turkey in an airtight container with a little cooking broth for up to 4 days. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- Freezer: Slice the cooled turkey and freeze it with a splash of broth in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months for best quality.
- Microwave: Place turkey slices in a microwave-safe dish with a little broth. Cover and heat for 1 to 2 minutes, checking that they are heated through.
- Air fryer: Place turkey slices in an air fryer-safe dish with a little broth and heat at 330°F for about 4 to 5 minutes. Check that the turkey is heated through without drying out.
- Leftover ideas: Use the turkey for sandwiches, wraps, turkey salad, soup, or casseroles.
Always reheat leftover turkey to 165°F before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you cook a turkey breast in the slow cooker?
A 4-pound boneless turkey breast generally takes around 8 hours on LOW. Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the turkey and your slow cooker. Start checking around 5 to 6 hours if you’re home. Always make sure the thickest part reaches 165°F before serving.
Can you put a frozen turkey breast in the slow cooker?
No. Always thaw the turkey breast completely in the refrigerator first. Putting frozen poultry directly into a slow cooker can keep it at unsafe temperatures for too long.
Do you need to add liquid to slow cooker turkey breast?
Yes! This recipe uses 1 cup of chicken broth. It helps keep the turkey moist and gives you flavorful juices that you can spoon over the meat or use to make gravy.
Should the turkey breast be seasoned?
I like using a pre-seasoned turkey breast because it makes this recipe even easier. If yours isn’t seasoned, simply add poultry seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper before cooking.
Is slow cooker turkey breast gluten-free?
The basic recipe is naturally gluten-free when made with suitable ingredients. Just check the labels on your turkey breast, chicken broth, and seasonings to make sure they don’t contain gluten.
Can I make gravy with the cooking juices?
Absolutely! Strain the juices from the slow cooker into a saucepan and bring them to a gentle simmer. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water. Slowly whisk this into the broth until it thickens. It’s a simple way to make homemade gravy!
Can I prepare this recipe the night before?
You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and keep them refrigerated in a covered container. You can also assemble the freezer meal and freeze it for later. Just remember to thaw frozen turkey completely in the refrigerator before cooking.
Nutrition Information
Each serving contains approximately 406 calories, 91 grams of protein, 4 grams of total fat, 0.01 grams of saturated fat, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 308 milligrams of sodium. It also provides approximately 253 milligrams of cholesterol, 42 milligrams of potassium, 5 IU of vitamin A, 10 milligrams of vitamin C, 80 milligrams of calcium, and 5 milligrams of iron.
These values are estimates based on 6 servings and may change depending on the brand of turkey breast, seasoning, and chicken broth used.
Nutrition disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using standard ingredient information and may vary depending on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a qualified nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
I hope this easy turkey dinner makes your busy days a little easier. Enjoy!