This moist and juicy slow cooker Italian Herb turkey breast with homemade gravy is perfect for a small Thanksgiving or when you need extra white meat. Plus, it saves oven space on holidays. It’s also a delicious Sunday dinner.

I like making my turkey breast in the slow cooker because it make the meat tender. My Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Gravy + VIDEO is evidence of that. That recipe is similar to this one except this one is seasoned with lemon too.

Using a turkey breast for white meat means you don’t have a whole turkey carcass to pick at and then discard. Plus, it’s the best way to get extra white meat for holiday dinners because you don’t have to use up more coveted oven space and then figure out how to keep the side dishes warm.

This turkey breast recipe will render about ten servings. Read more about How Much Ham and Turkey Do You Need Per Person for Holiday?

I love that you can make a smooth, homemade gravy with the drippings from this slow cooker recipe. Make some Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and you’ll have gravy to pour on top!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means, if you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission but, the price you pay is the same.

Slow Cooker Italian Herb Turkey Breast

*The full, printable recipe is at the bottom of this post.

Slow Cooker Turkey Ingredients:

6 lb whole bone-in turkey breast
1/2 onion
1/2 lemon
garlic cloves
fresh sage
fresh rosemary
fresh thyme
fresh parsley
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups water

Slow Cooker Italian Herb Turkey Breast with Gravy

turkey drippings

Turkey Gravy Ingredients:

butter
four
turkey drippings
garlic powder, salt and black pepper

Here’s a quick summary of this slow cooker turkey breast recipe:

(The full, printable recipe is at the bottom of this post.)

Put onion, lemon, garlic cloves and fresh herbs in the turkey breast cavity and with sprinkle salt and pepper. Also, sprinkle the skin with salt and pepper. Put some water in the slow cooker and let it cook for 4 hours on the high setting.
Then, place that turkey breast in the oven for just 2-3 minutes to broil and brown on top.
Then, make the delicious, smooth turkey gravy. Make a roux with butter and flour and then add the pan drippings. Add garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Stir it until thickened.

You will need a large 7 qt or 8 qt oval slow cooker depending upon the size of your turkey breast. You want the turkey breast to fit in the slow cooker with the lid on it.

I’ve used this reasonably priced, insulated slow cooker carrier (fits 4 qt- 8 qt) to transport my turkey to my mother-in-laws for Thanksgiving so it stays hot and doesn’t spill in our car. Who wants oil dripping on the seats and carpet? It’s totally worth the purchase and makes a great practical gift!

The turkey comes out tender and moist. It’s so good with the homemade gravy! You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make with the turkey drippings!

This makes a great Thanksgiving turkey recipe because it is seasoned with fresh herbs, will save your oven space for side dishes and makes pan drippings for a delicious homemade gravy.

Slow Cooker Italian Herb Turkey Breast

This bone-in turkey breast is seasoned with lemon, olive oil and Italian herbs- garlic, onion, rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley. It has a delicious turkey gravy made with pan drippings.

Course dinner

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Slow Cooker Italian Herb Turkey Breast

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 4 5

Total Time 4 10

Servings

Calories 418cal

Author Joanne Schweitzer

Ingredients

6 lb turkey breast (bone in) and thawed
1/2 medium onion
1/2 medium lemon
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
5 sprigs thyme
6 sage leaves with stems
2 sprigs rosemary
1 1/2 tbsp parsley
4 cloves garlic, peeled
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups water

Turkey Gravy with Drippings

4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
2 cups drippings from slow cooker
1/8 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In an 7 or 8 qt large oval slow cooker, pour in water (1 1/2 cups.)
Remove turkey neck or bag from chest cavity.
Place into the empty chest cavity: peeled 1/2 onion, half lemon, garlic cloves (4), thyme (5 sprigs,) rosemary (2 sprigs) sage (6 leaves) and parsley (1 1/2 tbsp) and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Place the turkey breast on its side (as it will fit better in the slow cooker with the lid on it.) Sprinkle salt and pepper on top and pour extra virgin olive oil on top of skin. It's o.k. when it runs off into the water. Cover with lid and set on high setting. Cook covered on high for 4 hours.
Remove and reserve the turkey drippings from the slow cooker. You should have about two cups. If not, add some water until you reach two cups.
Preheat oven to broil setting (500F.)
Remove the cooked turkey breast from the slow cooker and place it in a baking dish.
Put the turkey breast in the oven for about 3 minutes but, do not leave and monitor. It can burn quickly. Pull it out as the top gets browned.

Turkey Gravy with Drippings

First, in a medium sauce pan on medium/high heat, add and butter (4 tbsp) and wait for it to melt then add the flour (4 tbsp.) Stir to form a roux.
Then, add the two cups of turkey drippings an stir it for about 30 seconds to one minute. Add the garlic powder (1/8 tsp,) salt and pepper to taste. Turn off heat when it has thickened.

Notes

Nutritional value is only and estimate and should be used as such.

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days for maximum freshness.

Nutrition

Slow Cooker Italian Herb Turkey Breast