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Best Easy Slow Cooker Cranberry Orange Turkey Breast

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This slow cooker cranberry orange turkey breast is tender, juicy, and coated in a sweet-tart glaze. It’s a hands-off, budget-friendly recipe perfect for busy weeknights or holiday dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds turkey breast, bone-in or boneless
  • 1 can (14 ounces) whole berry or jellied cranberry sauce
  • ½ cup orange juice (preferably not from concentrate)
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 large orange)
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Prep the turkey: Remove the turkey breast from packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat or skin. Season generously on all sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Make the sauce base: In a small bowl, whisk together cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, honey (or maple syrup), minced garlic, and dried thyme. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired.
  3. Layer the slow cooker: Place the seasoned turkey breast in the slow cooker, skin side up if it has skin. Pour the cranberry-orange mixture over the top, coating evenly. Scatter butter pieces over the turkey.
  4. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part and meat is tender enough to shred with a fork.
  5. Optional: Thicken the sauce: Remove turkey from slow cooker and tent with foil. Pour cooking liquid into a small saucepan. Whisk cornstarch slurry into the sauce and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 2 to 3 minutes).
  6. Rest and serve: Let turkey rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing against the grain. Drizzle thickened sauce over the top or serve on the side.

Notes

For best results, sear the turkey breast in a hot skillet with oil for 2-3 minutes per side before adding to the slow cooker. Don’t lift the lid during cooking. Check temperature early as slow cookers vary. Double the sauce if you love it.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker turkey breast, cranberry orange turkey, easy turkey recipe, holiday turkey, budget-friendly turkey

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/best-easy-slow-cooker-cranberry-orange-turkey-breast/