4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey You NEED to Try!
This easy 4-ingredient cranberry turkey breast recipe creates a tender savory sweet turkey with tons of flavor.
Here’s an easy weeknight meal everyone will LOVE!
Cooking a turkey breast using the slow cooker is super smart and easy. This cranberry glazed turkey recipe is my new favorite way to prepare it, and I’m so excited to share it with you. Honestly, this tastes super fancy yet is just a can of cranberries, packet of Lipton onion soup, and orange juice.
I spotted this idea on Allrecipes.com a couple of months ago and had to try it do to the low-effort aspect. The reviews are excellent, so I’m not the only one loving this meal. We have made it a few times and I now add green beans with it!
This combination makes the best-glazed turkey breast! The sauce is so darn irresistible. I didn’t even have to use the gravy packet that came with the breast!
I love how tender and juicy this slow cooker turkey breast turns out. My whole family was impressed and I know yours will be too.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Breast
yield: 4 SERVINGS
prep time: 10 MINUTES
total time: 10 MINUTES
Cranberry orange turkey breast with a savory sweet sauce that is irresistible and easy to make in the Crock-Pot.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. fresh green beans, trimmed
- 3 lb. turkey breast, defrosted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper garlic seasoning blend
- 14 oz. can whole cranberry sauce
- 1 packet Lipton onion soup
- 1/2 cup orange juice
Directions
1
Place the green beans and then turkey breast in the slow cooker. Season the turkey breast. Pour the cranberries over, onion soup, and orange juice.
2
Close the lid and cook for around 3 hours on high or 6 on low. You'll know it's done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
3
Once finished, remove the strings, slice the turkey, and serve with the extra glaze sauce on top. Top with crunchy onions if desired.
Extra tips for making cranberry slow cooker turkey breast:
- You could easily double this recipe for a larger group and use two turkey breasts!
- Before starting, make sure your turkey breast is thawed and keep the strings on. It helps keep it together. Remove the strings and slice after it’s cooked.
- Be sure your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. I use an instant-read thermometer to check.
Cranberry glazed turkey could be an easy mini-Thanksgiving meal!
If you are wanting to host a meal for just a few people this could be it. Just include some mashed potatoes and rolls and you’ll be set. I topped ours with crunchy onions before serving and it was so YUM. This cranberry onion soup combo could be a great sauce to try for other entrees too such as pork chops or meatballs.
The leftovers on this meal are delicious as well!
Green beans are not on ingredients list. Can’t watch try this. Thanks.
Whoops thanks for catching that Kay. It’s a 16 oz. bag of fresh trimmed green beans. 🙂
Thanks for sharing Lina. Definitely going to try this – I think my husband will love it. PS I love your shorts -can you share the brand with us? Thanks!
Thanks Becca! Oh those were the Target linen shorts. So great for $15!
thanks Lina -they are adorable!!!
It looks fabulous. Trying to think of a sub for the onion soup mix. Any ideas?
Hey there! You might try subbing in onion powder or fresh sliced onion as an alternative to the soup mix. 🤗
Thanks. I need to avoid the onion altogether. Maybe celery or apples with some butter would work.
Oh! Sorry for the confusion. I spotted this recipe that details a homemade onion soup recipe – maybe you could omit the onions and use the rest for a similar flavor profile with the beef bouillon and spices? Hope this helps! 🤗
It does help. Thanks for the tip!
So glad! Yay! You’re welcome! 💕
Do you think I could add a bag of small potatoes to cook with the green beans and turkey to make it an all in one meal? Doing this for two us for Thanksgiving. Thanks and looks wonderful!
This looks delicious! I’d love to make it for Thanksgiving. Do you think doubling it would be enough for 6 adults and 3 kids?
Hey KB! It may depend on how much each person eats; however, you could easily double this recipe for a larger group and use two turkey breasts! ❤️
I had been thinking of trying one of these turkey breasts for thanksgiving to make life easier but also thought we might need 2. Would 2 fit in a 6 quart crockpot was my concern. Is the one in the picture a 6 quart size? It lookslike it would fit two.
There are no deals on these boneless butterballs? Everywhere I looked they are about $12.50.
Yes two would for sure fit! Great idea. More green beans would fit also.
Thank you for sharing. I will be making our turkey breast this way.
Yay! I hope you enjoy as much as we did!
What a great recipe can’t wait to make it… thank you 🥰
Yes!! I hope you enjoy ❤️🫶
Fabulous idea, thank you!! What size is your slow cooker, Lina?
Glad you love this recipe, Melissa! 🥰 Lina’s slow cooker is the 8-quart size! 💕
Great, thank you Jessica!
You’re very welcome! 💗
Is there any way this can be cooked in the oven ?
Great question, Linda. Yes – you could do that! Be sure to prep everything the same and then just follow the suggested roasting times on the packaging! 🤗
So delicious! I made it for an early Thanksgiving today along with a regularly roasted turkey breast, just in case. lol. Everyone loved this. It was so moist and flavorful. I did cut the soup mix down to a half envelope, but otherwise everything was the same.
Woot! So happy to hear it was a hit, Claire! 🙌 Thanks for sharing how you adjusted the amount of soup mix! 💕
Would a bone-in turkey breast work?
Yes, you could use a bone-in turkey breast too! Just be sure to check the internal temperature as it might take a bit longer to cook.
thank you so much for answering!! – I already have the bone-in turkey breast in freezer
You’re very welcome! 😊
Could this be cooked in the instant pot? If so how long?
Hey Mara! I did look into this for you and here are the details I found that may work!
“Prep the Turkey Breast:
Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels and season it with the spices listed in the recipe.
Sauté (Optional):
Turn the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Add a bit of oil and sear the turkey breast on both sides for 2–3 minutes per side to lock in flavor.
Layer Ingredients:
Turn off “Sauté” mode and place a trivet in the Instant Pot.
Place the turkey breast on the trivet.
Pour the cranberry sauce mixture over the turkey breast.
Pressure Cook:
Secure the lid and set the valve to “Sealing.”
Pressure cook on High Pressure for 25 minutes per pound of turkey breast.
For a 4-pound turkey breast, cook for 100 minutes.
Natural Release:
Let the pressure release naturally for 10–15 minutes, then carefully do a quick release.
Thicken the Sauce (Optional):
Remove the turkey breast and cover with foil to rest.
Turn the Instant Pot back to “Sauté” mode and thicken the sauce by stirring in a cornstarch slurry (1–2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with water) until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serve:
Slice the turkey and pour the cranberry sauce over it before serving.”
Hope this helps! Let us know how it turns out for you if you give it a try! 🥰
Would you leave out the green beans using the IP option?
Yes, it looks like that may be best. ❤️🤗
I made this for our family exactly according to the directions. Very tasty but the turkey breast came out rubbery. Is this a result of being in the crock pot? I have never made turkey in a crock pot so I don’t know. The texture of the turkey was like it was boiled. Is this how it’s supposed to be?
So sorry to hear that, Felice! Ours came out tender and juicy, so it may have been the turkey breast. You could also try making it in the oven instead if you decide to give it another try! ❤️
I’m not a fan of white meat. Anyone make this using dark meat? I’d assume it comes out just as good.
Hi Anom! We haven’t tested it with a dark meat option, but that should work. Be sure to follow the directions and recommended internal temperature for doneness on the packaging of the meat you’re opting to use for this. 🥰 Let us know how it turns out, if you give it a try!
What is the difference between a slow cooker and a crock pot in terms of temperature and time needed for a two or three pound turkey breast? Some recipes say high, some say low. Confusing.
The main difference between a slow cooker and a crock pot is how they distribute heat depending on if they have a ceramic or metal insert. For this recipe we recommend cooking around 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low. You’ll know it’s done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Hoping this is helpful! 💕