Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Your Tender Turkey Breast

This succulent turkey breast pairs beautifully with a wide array of side dishes, making it suitable for any festive occasion or a simple family dinner. For a traditional holiday feast, complement your turkey with classic Thanksgiving favorites like creamy mashed potatoes, vibrant green beans, or any of your favorite seasonal sides. The savory drippings from the slow cooker also make for an incredibly flavorful gravy that will elevate any meal.

Beyond the holidays, this turkey breast is a fantastic centerpiece for year-round enjoyment. Consider serving it with elevated potato dishes such as rich Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, a perfectly crispy Best Baked Potato, or decadent Homemade Au Gratin Potatoes. For vegetable accompaniments, try a crisp Roasted Zucchini or sweet and savory Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts. No matter your choice, this turkey breast provides a flavorful foundation for a memorable meal.

Key Ingredients for an Unforgettable Slow Cooker Turkey

Crafting this exceptionally tender and flavorful Crockpot Turkey Breast relies on a few simple yet powerful ingredients:

• Boneless Turkey Breast: Typically ranging from 3-4 pounds, a boneless turkey breast is ideal for its ease of carving and consistent cooking. While bone-in turkey breast can also be used, be aware that cooking times may need adjustment, and it can be a bit trickier to slice. Both options, however, yield fantastic results with this recipe.
• “Good Seasons” Italian Seasoning Mix: These convenient 0.7 oz packets are usually found in the salad dressing aisle of most grocery stores. This mix provides a balanced blend of herbs and spices that forms the savory base of our marinade. If you can’t find it, a good quality Italian seasoning blend with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste makes an excellent substitute.
• Orange Juice: Whether you choose freshly squeezed or store-bought, orange juice is a crucial component of our citrus marinade. Its natural acidity tenderizes the meat while adding a subtle sweetness and bright, tangy flavor that complements the turkey beautifully.
• Avocado Oil: A high smoke point oil like avocado oil is perfect for marinades, helping to carry the flavors into the meat. Olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil are all suitable alternatives if avocado oil isn’t available.
• Lemons and Limes: Sliced thin and with any large seeds removed, these citrus fruits are essential for the marinade. They contribute a powerful burst of zesty flavor and aroma that permeates the turkey as it cooks, enhancing its natural taste and ensuring maximum juiciness.
• Onions: Yellow or white onions are our preferred choice for this recipe, peeled and quartered. They impart a wonderful savory depth to the turkey and, crucially, create rich, flavorful drippings that are perfect for making a delicious gravy. Red onions can also be used for a slightly sharper flavor.
• Carrots: Peeled and cut into substantial 2-inch pieces, carrots add a touch of sweetness and earthy flavor to the dish. They also contribute to the overall richness of the slow cooker drippings, further enhancing the gravy potential.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Boneless Turkey Breast in a Crock Pot

Creating this succulent slow-cooked turkey breast is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a truly delicious and hassle-free meal:

1. Prepare the Citrus Marinade: Begin by combining the “Good Seasons” Italian Seasoning Mix, fresh or store-bought orange juice, and avocado oil in a small mixing bowl. Whisk these ingredients together until well blended, creating the flavorful base for your turkey.
2. Marinate the Turkey Breast: Place the boneless turkey breast into a large, sturdy ziplock bag or a non-reactive bowl. Add the thinly sliced lemons and limes, then pour the prepared orange juice mixture over the turkey. Ensure the turkey is fully coated by sealing the bag (or covering the bowl) and gently massaging the marinade around. Transfer to the refrigerator and allow the turkey breast to marinate for a minimum of 12 hours, and up to 48 hours. This crucial step is key to achieving maximum flavor and tenderness.
3. Slow Cook to Perfection: Once the turkey has completed its marinating time, carefully transfer it to your crockpot. Pour about 1/3 cup of the reserved marinade into the crockpot along with the turkey. Arrange the quartered onions and 2-inch carrot pieces around the sides of the turkey. Secure the lid on your crockpot and cook on the LOW setting for 7-8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 4-5 hours. The turkey is perfectly cooked when a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165 degrees F.
4. Optional Broiling for Golden Skin: For a beautifully golden-brown and slightly crispy skin, transfer the cooked turkey breast to a 9 x 13-inch roasting pan. Place it under a preheated broiler for approximately 2 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning, as broilers can vary in intensity. This step is entirely optional but significantly enhances the visual appeal of your turkey.
5. Rest and Serve: After cooking (and broiling, if applicable), remove the turkey breast from the oven or crockpot and let it rest for 5-10 minutes on a cutting board before slicing. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is as moist and flavorful as possible. Carve the turkey and serve it alongside the tender carrots and onions from the crockpot. Enjoy your effortlessly delicious meal!

Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Turkey

Expert Tips for Your Best Slow Cooker Turkey

• Always Check Internal Temperature: The most critical tip for cooking turkey is to consistently use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the breast; once it reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), your turkey is safely and perfectly cooked.
• Plan for Portions: As a general rule, plan on serving 1/3 to 1/2 pound of cooked turkey meat per person. This helps ensure you have enough for your guests and possibly some delicious leftovers.
• Thaw Completely: If your turkey breast was frozen, begin thawing it in the refrigerator 2-3 days in advance. It is vital for food safety that the turkey is 100% thawed before it goes into the crockpot.
• Room Temperature Start: For the most even cooking, allow your turkey breast to come to room temperature for about 30-60 minutes before adding it to the crockpot. This helps prevent the outer layers from overcooking while the center catches up.
• Don’t Skip the Veggies: Adding onions and carrots to the crockpot with the turkey not only infuses the meat with more flavor but also creates incredibly rich and savory drippings. These drippings are the foundation for the most delicious homemade gravy!
• Adjust Citrus Intensity: If you prefer a slightly milder citrus flavor in your Crockpot Turkey Breast, you can choose to skip adding extra marinade into the crockpot during cooking. Instead, substitute with about a cup of chicken broth to keep the turkey moist while reducing the citrus intensity.
• Broil for Golden Skin: An optional but highly recommended step is to quickly broil the turkey breast after it’s cooked through. This takes just a couple of minutes and results in a beautiful golden-brown, slightly crispy skin that adds an inviting texture and appearance.
• Resting is Key: After cooking, allow the turkey to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the muscle fibers to relax and reabsorb the juices, ensuring a more tender and moist result.

Storing And Reheating Your Delicious Leftovers

This Crockpot Boneless Turkey Breast is so good, you’ll want to enjoy every last bit. Here’s how to properly store and reheat your leftovers:

• Refrigerator: Store any leftover turkey breast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. This helps maintain its freshness and prevents drying out.
• Freezer: To extend the life of your leftovers, slice or dice the cooked turkey and place it in a freezer bag, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing. It can be stored frozen for up to 1 month. For best quality, consider vacuum sealing.
• To Reheat: You have a couple of excellent options for reheating. You can microwave individual portions until warm, making sure not to overcook. Alternatively, rewarm larger portions in a shallow dish, covered with foil, in a 300-degree F (150-degree C) oven for approximately 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. If your turkey seems a little dry, pour a few tablespoons of chicken broth over it before reheating to help restore moisture.