Description
This Crock Pot Cranberry Turkey Breast recipe offers a tender, flavorful turkey breast cooked slowly in a savory cranberry and onion-seasoned sauce. Perfect for holiday meals or any special occasion, it combines the sweetness of whole berry cranberry sauce with the zest of orange juice and a classic onion soup seasoning blend, all prepared effortlessly in a slow cooker for juicy, succulent results.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Seasonings
- 1 (5-7 lbs) boneless turkey breast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 packet onion soup seasoning mix (approximately 1 oz)
- 1/2 cup orange juice
Thickening Agent
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cold water
Instructions
- Prepare the Turkey: Unwrap the boneless turkey breast, leaving the netting intact to help maintain its shape during cooking. Place the turkey breast into a 6-quart slow cooker (crock pot).
- Season and Add Sauce: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper evenly over the turkey, rubbing it in to coat the surface. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the 14 oz can of whole berry cranberry sauce, 1 packet of onion soup seasoning mix, and 1/2 cup orange juice. Pour this mixture over the turkey in the crock pot, ensuring it is well covered.
- Slow Cook the Turkey: Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on LOW heat for 5 to 7 hours. The internal temperature of the turkey should reach at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat. In this recipe, the turkey typically cooks in about 6 hours.
- Remove and Rest the Turkey: Once cooked, carefully take the turkey breast out of the crock pot and place it onto a serving plate. Cover it with aluminum foil to keep warm. Use a spoon to skim any fat pieces from the cooking liquid left in the crock pot, then pour the remaining liquid into a medium saucepan for making the gravy.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water to make a slurry. Bring the liquid from the crock pot to a boil on the stovetop in the saucepan. Gradually add the cornstarch slurry to the boiling liquid while whisking continuously. Continue stirring for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning or excessive boiling.
- Serve: Pour some of the thickened cranberry gravy over the turkey breast before serving. Transfer any remaining sauce to a jar or gravy boat to allow guests to add extra sauce as desired.
Notes
- Keep the netting on the turkey during cooking to help it hold its shape and retain moisture.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the turkey breast and your slow cooker model.
- Leftover cranberry gravy can be stored in the refrigerator and used as a delicious sauce for other dishes.
- If desired, remove the netting before carving the turkey for easier slicing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: crock pot turkey breast, cranberry turkey, slow cooker turkey, holiday turkey recipe, boneless turkey breast, cranberry sauce turkey
