Turkey Breast with Garlic and Herbs (Slow-Cooker)
This Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is a show stopper that’s bursting with buttery garlic-herb flavours, an outrageous super crispy skin and a Garlic Butter Gravy that’s absolutely to-die for! Slow cooking is without question the safest and easiest way to cook turkey breast without brining or marinating. The flesh is juicy, it’s completely hands off, and it’s a forgiving recipe. And it’s ideal to prep ahead!
5-6 lb turkey breast, skin on, bone in (2.5-3 kg)
½ tsp. sea salt
black pepper, freshly cracked
1 onion, halved
1 head garlic, halved horizontally
3 sprigs fresh rosemary
8 sprigs fresh thyme
olive oil, for drizzling (for skin)
Garlic Herb Butter:
10 Tbsp. butter, softened (150 g)
1½ tsp. sea salt
½ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. fresh sage, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, finely chopped
Garlic Butter Gravy:
chicken broth/stock, for topping up (if required)
⅓ cup all-purpose flour, unbleached (50 g)
1½ tsp. dark soy sauce
For the Garlic Herb Butter:
Mix all the butter ingredients together in a small bowl.
For the Skin:
Pat the breast dry. Use a small knife to cut a slit on one side to separate skin from flesh. Slide upside between flesh and skin, all over turkey. Slather about ⅔ of the butter under the skin, then the remaining all over the surface including underside. Sprinkle surface with ½ tsp. salt and pepper. (Can leave overnight - 2 days at this stage).
Cook the Turkey:
Place garlic and onion in slow cooker (5 qt / 5L). Place turkey on top, skin side up. Top with thyme and rosemary sprigs. Cook 6 hours on low, first checking at 5 hours, until internal temperature reads 165°F (75°C) when inserted into the middle.
Transfer turkey to baking tray (reserve juices). Cover loosely with foil, rest for 20 minutes.
Remove herb sprigs, drizzle turkey with oil (not butter, it burns and won't be as crispy). Place under a broiler/grill on high (12" (30 cm) from heat source) for 5-10 minutes until skin is crispy and bronzed - keep an eye on it, as it will crisp quickly.
Make the Gravy:
Strain slow cooker juices into a bowl. Press juices out of onion and garlic. If you've got less than 2½-3 cups (675-750 mL) of liquid, top up with store bought broth/stock. When liquid settles, spoon off about ¼ cup fat/butter from surface.
Place in saucepan set over medium heat. When it bubbles, add flour and mix for 1 minute. Add all slow cooker juices into saucepan. Stir until lump free (use whisk if necessary). Simmer for 3-5 minutes until it thickens. Add dark soy (if using), pepper and salt to taste. Pour into a gravy boat and serve with turkey.
Makes 8 servings.
Cook's Notes:
Turkey: Single breast, bone in, is the most popular turkey breast. The cut pictured still has the leg in it. This recipe will work with any type of turkey breast - bone jutting out like pictured, cut off so you can't see it, with wing, without, or even a single breast with no bone. This can also be with a whole / double bone in turkey breast (also called "buffe" or "crown". If frozen you MUST thaw turkey properly before cooking it. Thaw in the refrigerator in a large bowl/tray 24 hours for every 4-5 lbs (2-2.5 kg). Or for a quick thaw, use cold tap water (not warm or hot) and allow 30 minutes for every 1 lb (500 g) of turkey, changing the water every 30 minutes. Ensure the turkey is submerged. Do not microwave - results in dry turkey. And do not cook a partly frozen turkey!
Herbs: Use herbs of choice. If using dried herbs, reduce each to 1½ tsp. (so 6 tsp. in total). Don't use just rosemary, it's too strong.
Dark Soy Sauce: is how I darken and season the gravy. It has more flavour than just plain salt. It does NOT make it taste Asiany! Can be skipped but gravy will be a pale colour. Alternative - buy a gravy darkener or a touch of Worcestershire.
Cooking Times: Cook Times in Slow Cooker - bone in, skin on turkey breast:
2 lb (1 kg): 4-5 hours on low
4-6 lb (2-3 kg): 5-6 hours on low
8 lb (4 kg): 6 -7 hours on low
10 lb (5 kg): 7-8 hours on low
* Check internal temp at the earliest time, until internal temperature reads 165F/75C when inserted into the middle.*
Cook time can be variable - affected by things like turkey thickness, strength of slow cooker, how chilled the centre is etc. Slow cookers are very forgiving so don't stress too much about cooking time, an hour or 2 over and it will still be moist. Other cook methods: Recipe not suitable for slow cooking on HIGH, or pressure cooker.
Butter Sauce: Butter Sauce alternative to gravy: Pour strained slow cooker juices into a saucepan and reduce by about half. Also nice with a spritz of fresh lemon juice! Add more butter for richness.
Serving: Amount per person: Allow 300g / 10 oz UNCOOKED weight per person for bone in turkey. Slice thinly from the fat end of the breast. If you know the turkey is 100% perfectly cooked to right internal temp, can also slice thickly. Serve warm: Because breast is so lean, it needs to be warm when served for optimum juiciness. So it's best to slice as required. Otherwise, cut thickly (like pictured) then cover with cling wrap and warm gently just before serving. If the turkey is a bit overdone and not as juicy as desired, slice thinly and pass around plenty of gravy!
Make-Ahead: Prep ahead: Can slather with butter then leave in fridge overnight to 2 days (in fact, this brines the turkey a bit which = extra juiciness!). Cooked early: If the turkey is ready early, turn slow cooker off and leave it in there for a couple of hours (better than leaving on warm setting as if your slow cooker warm setting is too strong, can dry turkey out). Crisp skin just prior to serving. Reheating: Turkey breast is best cooked fresh because it's a leaner meat. However, if it can't be avoided, slow cooked breast (pre crisping) can be reheated on low in the microwave, then crisp before serving.