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Slow Cooker Amish Maple Turkey Breast: A Tender, Flavor-Rich, Foolproof Holiday or Weeknight Meal
If you’ve been searching for a turkey breast recipe that delivers tender, juicy, deeply flavorful meat with zero fuss, this Slow Cooker Amish Maple Turkey Breast is about to become a staple in your kitchen. Inspired by the cozy simplicity of traditional Amish home cooking, this recipe combines natural sweetness, slow-cooked comfort, and rustic flavors into one unforgettable dish.
This recipe transforms a simple boneless turkey breast into something extraordinary by letting it simmer slowly in a mixture of maple syrup, butter, herbs, garlic, and a touch of classic Amish pantry seasonings. The result is melt-in-your-mouth turkey with a silky maple-herb gravy — perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, meal prep, or any time you want an impressive but effortless meal.
Whether you’re cooking for a small Thanksgiving gathering, hosting a cozy dinner party, or simply craving a warm comfort dish, this slow cooker turkey breast is the kind of recipe that makes your home smell incredible and brings warmth to the table.
This is a true set-it-and-forget-it dish, which means maximum flavor for minimal effort. Now let’s explore everything you need to know — from ingredients, technique, helpful tips, variations, and serving ideas.
What Makes This an Amish-Style Maple Turkey Recipe?
Amish cooking prioritizes:
- Natural sweeteners like pure maple syrup
- Simple ingredients that rely on quality rather than complexity
- Slow cooking methods that maximize tenderness
- Comfort-forward flavors like butter, herbs, and warm seasonings
This recipe captures that spirit by pairing:
- Real maple syrup
- Homemade-style seasoning
- Fresh herbs
- Slow, gentle cooking
The result is wholesome, hearty, and deeply comforting — without being heavy or overly sweet.
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Breast Recipe
- Effortless: Slow cooker does the work.
- Ultra tender: Impossible to dry out thanks to low, slow heat and maple butter braising.
- Versatile: Perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, or sandwiches all week.
- Healthier: Lean protein with natural seasoning — no processed ingredients.
- Amazing gravy: The maple-herb drippings thicken into the best gravy ever.
- Family-friendly: Mild, comforting, not too sweet, just perfectly balanced.
Ingredients
For the Turkey Breast
- 3–4 lb boneless turkey breast
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 4–5 fresh thyme sprigs (or 1 tsp dried)
Optional Gravy Thickener
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp water
Instructions
1. Season the turkey breast.
Pat turkey dry. Rub with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and Dijon.
2. Layer aromatics in the slow cooker.
Place sliced onions and garlic on the bottom. Add thyme.
3. Mix maple butter braising liquid.
Whisk together melted butter, maple syrup, and chicken broth. Pour over turkey.
4. Slow cook.
Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until turkey is tender and reaches 165°F.
5. Rest and slice.
Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and rest for 10 minutes.
6. Make the gravy.
Strain cooking juices into a saucepan. Simmer and whisk in cornstarch slurry until thickened.
7. Serve and enjoy.
Slice the turkey breast, spoon maple gravy over the top, and garnish with fresh thyme.
Slow Cooker Amish Maple Turkey Breast
Tender, juicy boneless turkey breast slow-cooked in buttery maple herb sauce for a simple, comforting Amish-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat turkey breast dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and Dijon mustard.
- Place sliced onion, garlic, and thyme in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Whisk maple syrup, melted butter, and chicken broth, then pour over turkey.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours until tender.
- Rest turkey for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Simmer cooking juices and thicken with cornstarch slurry if desired.
- Serve turkey slices with maple herb gravy.
Notes
For crisper edges, broil sliced turkey for 3 minutes before serving.
Tips for the BEST Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Use boneless for even cooking.
It cooks more evenly in a slow cooker and slices beautifully.
Don’t overcook.
Turkey breast is lean — LOW for 5–6 hours gives perfect tenderness.
Add butter for richness.
Amish cooking often incorporates butter for silkiness and deep flavor.
Pure maple syrup is essential.
Fake syrups will make the dish overly sweet and artificial.
Keep the onions thick-cut.
They act as a moisture barrier and prevent sticking.
Let it rest before slicing.
This keeps the meat juicy and prevents shredding.
Serving Ideas
You can serve this turkey breast with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Buttered noodles
- Roasted carrots
- Amish sweet-and-sour green beans
- Rustic homemade rolls
- Maple-glazed Brussels sprouts
Or slice thinly for:
- Sandwiches
- Wraps
- Meal prep containers
- Turkey salad
This dish works as well for Thanksgiving as it does for a quiet evening around the table.
Variations
Smoky Maple Turkey Breast
Add ½ tsp smoked paprika + 1 tbsp Worcestershire.
Maple Herb Turkey Breast
Increase herbs: add rosemary + sage.
Maple Mustard Turkey Breast
Add 2 tbsp stone ground mustard to the braising liquid.
Spiced Maple Turkey
Add ¼ tsp cinnamon and ⅛ tsp nutmeg for a cozy fall flavor.
Crispy-Skinned Option
Broil sliced turkey 3 minutes for caramelized edges.
Make-Ahead Options
This recipe is excellent for meal prep.
- Cooked turkey breast: Refrigerate 4–5 days
- Gravy: 1 week in fridge
- Freezer: Freeze sliced turkey with gravy up to 3 months
- Slow cooker prep bag: Combine everything in a freezer bag and freeze uncooked for 2 months