Bone-in or boneless turkey breast?

Either works. Bone-in has a bit more flavor, boneless is easier to slice. Cook to 165 degrees either way.

Can I make cranberry crockpot turkey for Thanksgiving?

Yes. It is a great hands-off option that frees up your oven, with the cranberry sauce built right in.

Recipes · Crockpot

Cranberry Crockpot Turkey Breast

Name: Cranberry Crockpot Turkey Breast
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 10 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 turkey breast, about 3 lbs; 1 can whole-berry cranberry sauce; 1 packet onion soup mix; 1/2 cup orange juice; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; Salt, pepper, and fresh thyme

By Janet
From Janet's Recipe Box · slow cooker

Sliced cranberry crockpot turkey breast glazed in ruby cranberry sauce with thyme on a platter — Tender turkey in a sweet-tangy cranberry glaze. Basically a mini Thanksgiving with almost no effort.

This is the cozy fall dinner I make when I want that Thanksgiving feeling without the whole production. You put a turkey breast in the slow cooker, cover it in a sweet-tangy cranberry sauce, and walk away. Hours later you have tender, glazed turkey that slices beautifully, with a sauce that tastes like fall. It is perfect for a chilly Sunday, and the leftovers make the best sandwiches. Here is how I make it.

Prep

10 min

Cook

6 to 7 hrs

Cooker

Slow

Serves

Honesty note: this is how I roughly throw it together, not a precise science. Slow cookers vary, so check the turkey for doneness and adjust the sweetness of the sauce to your taste.

Ingredients

1 bone-in or boneless turkey breast (about 3 lbs)
1 can whole-berry cranberry sauce (14 oz)
1 packet onion soup mix (or 2 tbsp dried onion plus a little bouillon)
1/2 cup orange juice (or water)
2 tbsp brown sugar (optional, for a sweeter glaze)
1 tsp salt and pepper, plus fresh thyme or rosemary

How I make it

Pat the turkey breast dry, season it all over with salt, pepper, and a little thyme, and place it in the slow cooker.
In a bowl, stir together the cranberry sauce, onion soup mix, orange juice, and brown sugar if using. Pour it over the turkey.
Cover and cook on low for about 6 to 7 hours (or high for 3 to 4), until the turkey is tender and cooked through to 165 degrees.
If you want a thicker glaze, spoon the sauce into a small pot and simmer it a few minutes to reduce while the turkey rests.
Let the turkey rest 10 minutes, then slice and spoon that cranberry glaze right over the top.

My tip: save the leftover turkey and sauce for sandwiches the next day. Turkey, a little glaze, and some cheese on a toasted roll is honestly the best part.

Make it your own

Add a splash of balsamic for extra tang, throw in some orange zest, or use fresh cranberries with a bit of sugar instead of canned. Serve it with mashed potatoes or my one-pot mac and cheese and a simple green veg for a cozy fall plate.

My slow-cooker staples

The slow cooker I make this in, my meat thermometer, and the serving platter I use are all in my Amazon storefront.

Shop my kitchen staples → As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a frozen turkey breast?

Thaw it fully first for food safety and even cooking. A fully thawed breast will cook evenly and reach a safe temperature in the times above.

Bone-in or boneless?

Either works. Bone-in has a little more flavor, boneless is easier to slice. Just cook to 165 degrees either way.

Can I make this for Thanksgiving?

Absolutely. It is a great hands-off option that frees up your oven, and the cranberry sauce is built right in.

Heads up: some links in this post are affiliate links to my Amazon storefront, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. I only share things I actually use.

Janet

Orlando mom and the creator behind Planet Janet TV. Janet's Recipe Box is my collection of the approachable, slightly elevated meals I actually cook. Come say hi on Instagram.

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