Whether you are looking to free up oven space by using the Instant Pot or need a set and forget Slow Cooker turkey recipe, I’ve got you covered with these three different turkey recipes. All the recipes and cooking methods can be mixed and matched so you want an Herbed Oven Roasted Turkey or an Herbed Instant Pot Turkey-it’s the same recipe, same delicious flavors just with a different cooking method. All these recipes make a delicious day of turkey or a turkey sandwich later.
I do use a few Amazon products in these recipes. They are:
Citrus Press https://amzn.to/4oXNPCz
Acacia Wood Prep Bowls https://amzn.to/47LKa3Z
3.5 qt Cuisinart Slow Cooker https://amzn.to/4qLCRSn
8 qt Instant Pot https://amzn.to/4hKn8Pw
NordicWare Sheet Pan Set https://amzn.to/49CpC0k
Hotec Silicone Spatula Set https://amzn.to/3XgHTJb
The Meat Church Brine can be found here: https://amzn.to/3XnMauh
As an Amazon Affiliate, I do receive a commission when you order using my links. It doesn’t cost you any more to use these links. I appreciate you supporting me by using these links.
If you are looking to plan your entire turkey dinner, I have your side dishes covered too. You can find those recipes here: https://staceyssimplemeals.com/5-easy-thanksgiving-sides-for-small-gatherings/ and here: https://staceyssimplemeals.com/4-thanksgiving-side-dishes-that-feed-4-6-people/
Here are all the turkey recipes:
Turkey Brine Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 cups Water more may be needed to cover your turkey
- 1 T Black Peppercorns
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 2 Springs of Rosemary or 2 Bay Leaves
- Juice of an orange or Lemon I like to do ½ of each
- ½ c Sugar
- ½ c Salt
Instructions
- Cut your citrus into wedges and squeeze into the water of a large pot. Add all of the other ingredients to the pot. Place your turkey into the brine and add more water if needed to cover your turkey.
- Cover the pot and place it in the refrigerator overnight (8 hours)
- Remove from the brine and pat it to dry.
- You are now ready to cook your turkey.
Lemon Basil Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- Bone in Turkey Breast
- 1 Stick of Butter softened
- 1 T Dried Basil
- 1 t Lemon Zest
- 2 T Lemon Juice
- 2 Garlic Cloves minced
- House Seasoning or Salt and Pepper for the Top
- 1 Carrot sliced
- 1 Onion sliced
- 1 c of Chicken Broth
Instructions
- Combine butter, basil, lemon and lemon zest, and minced garlic. Set aside 3 T of the butter mixture.
- Place the remaining butter mixture under the skin of the turkey breast. If you cannot do this, you can just place the mixture on top (but I do recommend under the skin for the best possible flavor). Sprinkle the top with House Seasoning.
- Slow Cooker instructions: Place onions, carrots and broth to the bottom of the slow cooker. Place turkey on top of the vegetables. Cook turkey for 6-7 Hours, once the turkey has reached 165 turn off the crockpot and top with the remaining butter mixture. If you’d like a crispier skin place the turkey under the broiler for 5-8 minutes. Cover and let turkey rest for 10 minutes before carving.
- Instant Pot Instructions: Place onions, carrots and broth to the bottom of the instant pot. Place turkey on top of vegetables. Cook turkey for 7 minutes per pound on High Pressure. Allow to Naturally release for 15 minutes. Remove from Instant Pot and top with the remaining butter mixture. If you’d like a crispier skin place the turkey under the broiler for 5-8 minutes. Cover with foil and rest for 10 minutes before carving.
- Oven Instructions: Place onions, carrots and broth to the bottom of the roasting pan. Place turkey breast on top of vegetables. Cook turkey 15-20 minutes per pound at 325 degrees. Once the turkey has reached 165 remove from oven and top with the remaining butter mixture. Cover with foil and rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Herbed Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- Bone in Turkey Breast
- 1 Stick of Butter softened
- ½ T Paprika
- ½ T Onion Powder
- ½ T Garlic Powder
- ¼ t Poultry Seasoning
- ¼ t Thyme
- ¼ t Sage
- ¼ t Salt
- ¼ t Pepper
- 1 Carrot sliced
- 1 Onion sliced
- 1-2 c of Chicken Broth
Instructions
- Combine butter, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper, poultry seasoning, thyme and sage. Set aside 3 T of the butter mixture.
- Place the remaining butter mixture under the skin of the turkey breast. If you cannot do this, you can just place the mixture on top (but I do recommend under the skin for the best possible flavor).
- Slow Cooker instructions: Place onions, carrots and broth to the bottom of the slow cooker. Cook turkey for 6-7 Hours, once the turkey has reached 165 turn off the crockpot and top with the remaining butter mixture. If you’d like a crispier skin place the turkey under the broiler for 5-8 minutes. Cover and let turkey rest for 10 minutes before carving.
- Instant Pot Instructions: Place onions, carrots and broth to the bottom of the instant pot. Cook turkey for 7 minutes per pound on High Pressure. Allow to Naturally release for 15 minutes. Remove from Instant Pot and top with the remaining butter mixture. If you’d like a crispier skin place the turkey under the broiler for 5-8 minutes. Cover with foil and rest for 10 minutes before carving.
- Oven Instructions: Place onions, carrots and broth to the bottom of the roasting pan. Cook turkey 15-20 minutes per pound at 325 degrees. Once the turkey has reached 165 remove from oven and top with the remaining butter mixture. Cover with foil and rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Bacon Topped Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- Bone In Turkey Breast
- BBQ Seasoning
- 6-8 Slices of Bacon
- 1 Carrot sliced
- 1 Onion sliced
- Optional 4 T Melted Butter for injecting into turkey once cooking is complete
Instructions
- Remove the skin from the turkey and coat turkey with BBQ Seasoning
- Create a bacon weave on a piece of Parchment Paper
- Place woven bacon on top of turkey breast
- Slow Cooker instructions: Place onions, carrots and broth to the bottom of the slow cooker. Cook turkey for 6-7 Hours, once the turkey has reached 165 turn off the crockpot and rest for 10 minutes. If the bacon is not crispy place under the broiler for 5-8 minutes. Inject with the melted butter if you are using it. Carve and enjoy!
- Instant Pot Instructions: Place onions, carrots and broth to the bottom of the instant pot. Cook turkey for 7 minutes per pound on High Pressure. Allow to Naturally release for 15 minutes. Remove from Instant Pot. If you would like the bacon a little crispier place under the broiler for 5-8 minutes. Inject the melted butter if using it. Carve and enjoy!
- Oven Instructions: Place onions, carrots in the bottom of the roasting pan. Cook turkey 15-20 minutes per pound at 325 degrees. Once the turkey has reached 165 remove from oven and inject with the melted butter mixture if you are using it. Cover with foil and rest for 10 minutes before carving.
BBQ Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 T Salt
- 1 T Pepper
- 1 T Smoked Paprika or Chipotle
- 2 T Brown Sugar
- 1-1/2 t Garlic Powder and Onion Powder
- 1/2 t Thyme
Instructions
- Combine all seasonings and store in an airtight container.
House Seasoning Blend
Ingredients
- 1 T Salt
- 1 T Pepper
- 1 T Garlic Powder
- 1 T Onion Powder
Instructions
- Combine all spices and store in an airtight container.
You cannot go wrong with any of these turkey recipes. If you need to free up your oven choose the Instant Pot or the Slow Cooker version, if you want a show stopper for your table choose the Bacon-Topped Oven Roasted Turkey. Options galore! Let me know which turkey you decide to make. Don’t forget to brine-it makes a world of difference.
Have a wonderful week!
