Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Apple Habanero Sauce

 This is a sponsored post for Head Country. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on my own personal view. 

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe

With Thanksgiving just around the corner and Christmas following quickly on its heels, I wanted to share this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Apple Habanero Sauce recipe. Until recent years, I’ve never been a turkey fan. I know, I know, that’s almost un-American to even say that out loud! I always used to go for the ham on any Holiday table because the turkey was usually dry, bland, and just tasteless. However, I discovered I can make turkey in my slow cooker and boy, did that ever change my turkey game! This Slow Cooker Turkey Breast seasoned with fresh herbs and then topped with the Best BBQ Sauce,  Head Country Bar-B-Q Apple Habanero Sauce will have you coming back for seconds and thirds! This particular Apple Habanero Sauce actually doesn’t taste like “traditional” Bar-B-Q at all – one reason why I call it the Best BBQ Sauce! Think of a beautiful, sweet apple glaze and you will have the right idea about this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Apple Habanero Sauce.

Turkey Breast with an Apple Habanero Glaze

Ah, Thanksgiving time. Just this season with the beautiful autumn leaves and the cool, brisk wind brings so much joy to my heart. Some of my favorite childhood memories and memories as an adult are centered around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanksgiving was always such a joyful time around our house growing up. For me, Thanksgiving means big family dinners with tables groaning under the weight of all of the food and togetherness with family. Many times during Thanksgiving we would get to see family we rarely (if ever) saw any other time of the year. Of course, turkey was always on the menu for Thanksgiving dinner.

Many times I skipped the turkey because it just tasted bland and after all, who wants bland turkey when there’s Holiday Ham and all of the other trimmings? Now that I’m an adult and a Thanksgiving Dinner contributor, I’ve grown to love turkey, especially this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Apple Habanero Sauce.  This year in addition to making this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, I will also be making my Granny’s Southern Cornbread Dressing. I hope that you share wonderful memories and laughter around the dinner table as you gather with your family and loved ones this year, and maybe even make new traditions and memories to share with the next generation.

Why You Should Add Fresh Vegetables and Fruit when Slow Cooking a Turkey

To start off making this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, add 4 peeled carrots and one large apple cut into fourths to the bottom and sides of a 4 quart or larger slow cooker. I like to add carrots and apples to this recipe for two reasons. The carrots and apples work as a trivet to hold the turkey off the bottom of the slow cooker, keeping it out of the fat and drippings that will drain off while cooking. Also, the carrots and apple infuses the turkey breast with a wonderful, juicy, wholesome flavor. It’s a win win!

The Best Herb Seasonings for a Turkey

After the carrots and apple are arranged in the slow cooker, add 3 pounds of boneless turkey breast on top of the carrots and apple. My turkey came in a package with two different sized breasts that equaled out to be 3 pounds of meat. Thaw the turkey breasts overnight in the refrigerator, then remove them from the packaging. After placing the turkey breast in the slow cooker, season them both with 1/2 teaspoon each of onion powder and garlic powder. After adding the onion and garlic powder, add in 1/4 teaspoon each of ground black pepper, salt, ground sage, ground thyme, dried rosemary, and dried basil flakes.

Fresh Herbs Gives This Slow Cooker Turkey Breast a Vibrant Flavor

But wait! We’re not finished with our seasonings yet! Now that the dried seasonings are added in, go ahead and add 1 teaspoon of fresh parsley leaves. Adding in fresh herbs when you can really makes a big difference in the flavor of anything you’re cooking.

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Chicken Broth

Let’s add some chicken broth to keep everything moist while cooking. In a measuring cup, combine 1 cup chicken broth with 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 teaspoon of fresh minced garlic. Heat the seasoned broth in the microwave for 30 seconds or until the butter is melted. Pour the seasoned chicken broth into the slow cooker, around the turkey breasts.

The Key to Moist Turkey Breast

Now doesn’t that look wonderful?

Really the key to moist turkey breast is a combination of several things.

Cooking the turkey breast low and slow will preserve the natural juices of the meat, along with adding the fresh carrots and apples with the chicken broth.

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with The Best BBQ Sauce

Last but certainly not least, measure out 1/2 cup of Head Country Apple Habanero Bar-B-Q Sauce. This Best BBQ Sauce really just makes the turkey so fabulous and delicious! The combination of the sweet flavor of the sauce mixed with the savory flavors of the turkey breast create a truly memorable combination.

Apple Habanero Sauce Lends a Beautifully Sweet Flavor

Spread the Head Country Apple Habanero Bar-B-Q Sauce over the turkey breast evenly until the top surface is covered in it. If you want your turkey breast to be extra saucy, just add a little more. You can never have too much of this Best BBQ Sauce!

How to Cook a Turkey Breast in the Crock Pot

Now that all of your ingredients have been added to the slow cooker, place the lid on the slow cooker. Set the cooking time on low for 4 hours. I don’t recommend cooking this recipe on high because the turkey breast can dry out easily and nobody wants that!

Tender, Moist, Turkey Breast Made in the Slow Cooker

Once the turkey breast is slow cooked to perfection, remove the lid from the slow cooker and turn the heat off. The next step might just blow your mind!

The Secret to a Perfectly Roasted Turkey

Did you know that your Crock Pot brand porcelain slow cooker insert can go in the oven? Place the slow cooker insert in the oven and roast the turkey at 450F for 10 minutes. Roasting the turkey breast after slow cooking will make the skin brown and crispy while infusing the meat with a delicious roasted flavor.

How to Garnish a Holiday Turkey for a Beautiful Presentation

When the roasting process is finished, carefully remove the slow cooker insert from the oven. Use tongs to remove the turkey breast from the slow cooker and place it on a pretty platter. Slice the turkey breast into 1/2 inch thick slices and arrange on the platter. Once the turkey is ready to serve, drizzle Head Country Apple Habanero Bar-B-Q Sauce over the top of the turkey. For an especially appealing presentation, garnish the platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary and fresh cranberries. Garnishing your plate will add a beautiful, festive visual while appealing to your guests.

Sides that Pair Perfectly with this Slow Cooked Apple Habanero Glazed Turkey Breast

As you might have guessed, I also have some wonderful, traditional, Thanksgiving side dishes that pair beautifully with this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Apple Habanero Sauce.  Some of those side dishes include, Skinny Green Bean Casserole, and Sweet Corn Casserole.

As always, thank you for taking time out of your day to spend with me here in my kitchen. I am so grateful for YOU, my friend! I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving and Holiday season and that special memories and loads of laughter are had by all. Blessings to you!

5 from 1 vote

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Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Apple Habanero Sauce

Slow cooked and roasted turkey breast seasoned with herbs and the sweet flavor of Apple Habanero sauce, cooked on a bed of carrots and apples. 

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Roasted Turkey Breast, Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Apple Habanero Sauce

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes

Servings 7 (servings size is 2 pieces)

Author Amy - The Speedy Spatula

Ingredients

• 3 lbs boneless turkey breast thawed
• 4 carrots peeled
• 1 apple cut into fourths
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground sage
• 1/4 tsp ground thyme
• 1/4 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/4 tsp dried basil flakes
• 1 tsp fresh minced garlic
• 1 tsp fresh parsley leaves
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup Head Country Apple Habanero Bar-B-Q Sauce and more for serving

Instructions

1. Place the carrots and apple in the bottom of a 4 quart or larger slow cooker.

2. Place the thawed turkey breast on top of the carrots and apple in the slow cooker.

3. Season the turkey breast with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, sage, thyme, rosemary, basil, and parsley.

4. In a measuring cup, mix together the chicken broth, minced garlic, and butter and heat until the butter is melted.

5. Pour the seasoned chicken broth into the slow cooker.

6. Pour the 1/2 cup of Head Country Apple Habanero Bar-B-Q Sauce over the turkey breast in the slow cooker.

7. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low 4 hours.

8. Once cooked, remove the lid from the slow cooker and place the porcelain insert in the oven.

9. Roast the turkey in the oven for 10 minutes on 450F. 

10. Remove from the oven and place on a platter. 

11. Cut the turkey breast into 1/2 inch thick slices and top with more Head Country Apple Habanero Bar-B-Q Sauce to serve. 

12. Garnish with fresh cranberries and sprigs of fresh rosemary for a beautiful Holiday dish. 

Recipe Notes

TIP: Roasting the turkey in the oven after slow cooking makes the skin on the turkey brown and crispy while lending a wonderful, roasted flavor.