Crock Pot Brined Turkey Breast

Crock Pot Brined Turkey Breast is made with turkey breast, apple cider, brown sugar, kosher salt, butter, and a mix of fresh herbs and spices. This recipe creates a flavorful, juicy turkey with crispy skin and rich gravy. It takes about 8 hours and 30 minutes to prepare and serves 8.

Crock Pot Brined Turkey Breast Ingredients

Brine:

• 3 cups apple cider
• 16 cups water
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup kosher salt
• 5 bay leaves
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 sprigs rosemary, leaves stripped off
• 1 peel orange
• 1 peel lemon

Turkey:

• 6 pounds turkey breast, skin on, bone in
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 sprig fresh sage, leaves removed and chopped
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary, leaves removed and chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh savory, leaves only
• 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Gravy:

• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 4 tablespoons flour

How To Make Crock Pot Brined Turkey Breast

1. Prepare the Brine: In a large pot, mix apple cider, water, brown sugar, kosher salt, bay leaves, garlic, rosemary, orange peel, and lemon peel until the sugar and salt dissolve.
2. Brine the Turkey: Add the turkey breast to the brine, cover, and refrigerate for 24 hours. Remove from the brine and pat dry.
3. Season the Turkey: In a bowl, mix softened butter with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, sage, rosemary, savory, and salt. Rub this mixture under and over the turkey skin.
4. Slow Cook the Turkey: Place the seasoned turkey breast in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours.
5. Crisp the Skin: Transfer the turkey to a baking pan and broil for 5 minutes to crisp the skin. Let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
6. Make the Gravy: Strain slow cooker liquid using a fat separator. In a skillet, melt butter and whisk in flour until thick. Add 1 cup of the reserved liquid and whisk to make a smooth gravy.

Recipe Tips

• Plan Ahead: Start thawing your turkey at least 2.5 days in advance if using frozen.
• Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, and savory enhance the flavor significantly.
• Crisp Skin is Key: Broiling the turkey for a few minutes adds the perfect texture to the skin.
• Check Temperature: Ensure the internal temp reaches 165°F for breast meat.
• Fat Separator for Gravy: This tool helps remove excess fat for a smoother gravy.

What To Serve With Turkey Breast

This tender turkey pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and dinner rolls. A glass of white wine or sparkling cider makes a great pairing too.

How To Store Turkey Breast

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze slices of turkey in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Turkey Breast Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 765
• Total Fat: 45g
• Saturated Fat: 19g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Sugar: 15g
• Protein: 62g
• Sodium: 1530mg

FAQs

Can I use a boneless turkey breast?
Yes, though bone-in adds more flavor and moisture.

Is it necessary to brine the turkey?
Brining enhances flavor and juiciness but can be skipped if short on time.

What size slow cooker should I use?
A 6 to 7-quart slow cooker is ideal for a 6-pound turkey breast.

Can I skip the broiling step?
Broiling is optional but recommended for crisp skin.

How do I know the turkey is done?
Use a meat thermometer—165°F in the thickest part of the breast.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Boneless Turkey Breast
• Crock Pot Bone-In Turkey Breast
• Crock Pot Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Turkey