This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Turkey Breast is made with the flavor of lemon juice, lemon zest, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and fresh rosemary – a delicious addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas meal.
Combine the best of stovetop stuffing and turkey with my Slow Cooker Stove-Top Stuffing Turkey Meatloaf recipe. Another consideration to have for the holidays!
Why this turkey breast lemon recipe works
I am a big fan of the garlic herb butter flavor. The delicious taste of that winning combo paired with broth and other seasonings makes for a flavlorful turkey breast recipe that others are sure to love too.
This recipe works because it is simple in prep, moderate in cooking time, and yields a dish that’s light and versatile. Everything is added to the crock pot and left to cook while you take care of other stuff simultaneously. It’s a win-win and your family is sure to love it!
Recipe Ingredients
- Turkey Breast: 2-3 pounds of boneless skinless turkey breast is slowly cooked in herb butter, fresh herbs, and other seasonings until nice and tender.
- Butter: Creates an amazing flavor while helping soften the turkey breast.
- Chicken Broth: Broth is used to help with cooking and creating flavorful juices for the moist turkey.
- Seasonings: Garlic, lemon (juice and zest), Italian seasoning, and fresh rosemary combine for a buttery herby flavor that is simply amazing.
- Gravy: Optional for serving.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Pour the turkey broth into a 6-8 quart crockpot and add 4-6 thin slices of butter to the broth along with half of the lemon zest, Italian seasoning and garlic.
Step Two – Place turkey breast on top of the butter slices in the crockpot. Evenly sprinkle the remaining lemon zest, Italian seasoning, garlic, and butter slices over the turkey breast. Add the rosemary sprigs.
Step Three – Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours.
Variations
- Serve the whole turkey breast as is, sliced on a platter with additional rosemary sprigs and lemon slices. You can also add salt and pepper to taste.
- It pairs perfectly with a side of steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy, and dinner rolls.
- You can add additional fresh herbs such as fresh parsley, thyme, and sage.
- Use some of the drippings to create a butter gravy. Another option is to make turkey or chicken gravy for serving.
Recipe FAQs
Cooked turkey can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 4 days or in a freezer for up to 4 months in a freezer-safe container. Make sure to thaw the cooked turkey completely in a refrigerator before reheating and serving.
Yes, you can use a turkey breast with skin for this lemon herb crockpot turkey. Make it in the crockpot as instructed and then if you wish to have a crispy skin, you can put it in your oven on broil to achieve a crispier skin. Though, do not use your slow cooker insert in the broiler, for it’s not meant to get that hot; transfer to a baking dish.
You can also make this lemon and herb turkey in an oven, bake at 375 degrees for 40-60 minutes or until the internal temperature of the turkey breast reaches 165 degrees.
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Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Turkey Breast
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs. boneless skinless turkey breast (can use 2-3 lbs. of turkey breast)
- 2 cups turkey broth (or chicken broth)
- 1/4 cup salted butter thinly sliced, divided
- 2 tsp. lemon zest
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning divided
- 2 sprigs of rosemary
- 1 Tbsp. garlic minced, divided (or 1/2 tsp. garlic powder)
Serving ideas
- turkey gravy or chicken gravy for serving optional
Instructions:
- Add turkey broth to a 6-8 quart crockpot and add 4-6 thin slices of butter to the broth along with half of the lemon zest, Italian seasoning and garlic.
- Place turkey breast on top of the butter slices in the crockpot.
- Evenly sprinkle the remaining lemon zest, Italian seasoning, garlic, and butter slices over the turkey breast.
- Add 2 sprigs of rosemary to the crockpot, cover, and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.
- Once cooked, remove the turkey breast from the crockpot and slice.
- Serve with gravy and lemon slices.
Recipe Notes:
- Cooked turkey can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 4 days or in a freezer for up to 4 months in a freezer-safe container. Make sure to thaw the cooked turkey completely in a refrigerator before reheating and serving.
- You can also make this lemon and herb turkey in an oven, bake at 375 degrees for 40-60 minutes or until the internal temperature of the turkey breast reaches 165 degrees.
- You can use a turkey breast with skin for this lemon and herb crockpot turkey. Make it in the crockpot as instructed and then if you wish to have a crispy skin you can put it in your oven on broil to achieve a crispier skin. Though, do not use your slow cooker insert in the broiler, for it’s not meant to get that hot, transfer to a baking dish.
- The gravy in not included in the nutritional values.
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
When do you add the lemon zest?
In the beginning. I will add that; thank you.