4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Whole Turkey
How did we already get mid-way through November? Seems like it was just Halloween. I actually made this recipe to share last week, but I've been so busy that I didn't have time to actually get to it. I'll admit that I was probably a little distracted while planning my trip to NYC, but I've finally caught up on sleep. Mostly. I'm so happy that it's Sunday, going to do a little cleaning, football watching and luckily I can record The Walking Dead to watch later because the game is playing at the same time. Phew. Loving modern conveniences right about now.
Now on to the turkey! I wanted to make something that was really easy to do. I mean cooking a turkey is no easy feat, or is it? First of all, you need to make sure it's going to fit in your slow cooker.
This is really, really, truly very important. You're not going to be able to cram in 20 pounds of any kind of meat in a tiny Crock Pot. So, let's keep the turkey on the small side.
I got this recipe idea from this Turkey Breast of Wonder post over at Jamie Cooks It Up. She recommending using a 5-6 pound turkey and that totally worked for perfectly in my 5 quart slow cooker.
There are only few ingredients to this and the result is an oven-free sumptuous moist whole turkey ready to be served on the big day, or since it's so easy... any day really.
Now, I'm going to happily admit that I've been spoiled year after year. I've only had to make about one turkey on my own.
I remember practically crying when I held that giant thing in the sink to give it a rinse. Eh. It's not for the faint of heart.
Not my cup of tea or gravy as the case may be. So this smaller and easy option is definitely more my style. Plus, it keeps the oven free for sides and pies. 
What a dream! Keep in mind it wont serve a giant crowd. Probably more for 4-6 people if you're sticking with the 5-6 lb turkey. 
4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Whole Turkey
This recipe comes from the Turkey Breast of Wonder recipe at Jamie Cooks It Up. I didn't change any of the ingredients. I did accidentally omit the salt and pepper. She says that you can swap out the orange juice for broth if needed. I had OJ, so I went for it.
This truly is Turkey Breast of Wonder and beyond! I hope you enjoy it as much as my family did.
I'm not one for following directions, so I'm going to explain how I put this recipe together below. Easy and delish!
Make sure to use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature. The minimum internal temperature for safely cooked turkey should be 165 °F.
Other things to note about cooking a turkey in the slow cooker, adding stuffing will add extra cook time and consideration. This recipe does not include stuffing, but keep in mind these two things. 1) The turkey's form will not be like the Griswold's Christmas Turkey (on the outside anyway). If you're serving company, plan on slicing and serving on a platter. 2) If you venture to cook it with a stuffing, make sure that the internal temperature of that stuffing is also a minimum of 165 °F. If you want to add a little form to your turkey, you could easily add lemon halves or stocky vegetables to keep it simple.
It's all gravy! Okay, a note about the gravy. The original recipe tells you how to make a gravy from the juices and some other ingredients. My family didn't like it that much, so you might want to keep a backup pouch of turkey gravy mix on hand. Just in case.
And, that's it!
4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Whole Turkey
Slow Cooker Turkey with only 4 ingredients. Perfect for smaller gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 (5-6 pound) bone-in turkey breast
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 ( 14 ounce) can whole cranberry sauce
- 1 (1 ounce ) package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
Instructions
- Add orange juice and can of whole cranberry sauce to your slow cooker
- Rub the package of Lipton Onion Soup Mix all over your turkey.
- Place the turkey in the slow cooker
- Sprinkle salt and pepper over the top on the turkey
- Cook on low for about 8 hours.
- Take out, let it rest for 5-7 minutes
- Slice and Serve
Notes
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT COOKING A TURKEY IN A SLOW COOKER:
Make sure to use a food thermometer to check internal temperature. The minimum internal temperature for safely cooked turkey should be 165 degree F.
Adding stuffing will add extra cook time and consideration. This recipe does not include stuffing, but keep in mind these two things:
- The turkey's form will not be like the Griswold's Christmas Turkey (on the outside anyway). If you are serving company, plan on slicing and serving on a platter
- If you venture to cook with a stuffing, make sure that the internal temperature of that stuffing is also a minimum of 165 degrees F.
- Once turkey is fully cooked, you can add it to your broiler to get make the skin crisp. Keep a close eye on it as to not burn.
If you want to add a little form to your turkey, you could easily add lemon halves or stocky vegetables to keep it simple.
Can I double the recipe for a 12+ lb turkey for the crockpot?
I recently bought a slow cooker and used it only once so still learning and recipes and ideas like this are very useful for a novice like me. Thank you. Not sure if I can get the Lipton Onion Soup mix here in the UK but will try to get something similar.
I have a 22 quart slow cooker in which, just like ovens.it has a temp setting.and I've only cooked a pork loin with day potatoes and onions in it so far.that turned out great.i just hope that the slow cooker ain't to large for the 7.54 LB turkey.and I hope that I get the temp setting right.
Cooking in a slow cooker will not give you that golden skin.
It's the soup mix that gives it the color....
If I use my roaster can I use the same ingredients? I'm sure I will have to use more of all ingredients.
Yummy! Pinned and tweeted. Lou Lou Girls
Seriously, only 4 ingredients, that's impressive. I've got to try to make this with our turkey leftovers this year.
Why am I not surprised that you put a turkey into a crock pot. This looks really tasty. If I do this, it frees up the oven. Yay!
That looks so good, I live in Canada and we celebrated Thanksgiving in October but I am totally going to make this very soon,
This looks awesome but totally a month late as we celebrate Thanksgiving in October. Would have been perfect for us as we tend to do a lower maintenance meal for Thanksgiving.
This looks amazing! What an awesome recipe, thanks for sharing.
Wow, I would love to try this recipe with a chicken since my crockpots are kind of small. I love Lipton Onion soup mix on all sorts of foods.
Turkey in a slow cooker! I must say this is innovative to me. I, however ,will be dining at my parent's house, where the turkey will be prepared by mom. 🙂
In all the years I've cooked I've never made a turkey in my slow cooker. I have however cooked whole chickens and they always turn out nice and tender and juicy.
How cool. I have never thought about doing a turkey in the slow cooker. I really appreciate your tips on carving before heading to the table though, since it won't be as brown and pretty 🙂
I use a roaster to keep it out of the oven and because I like a nice big bird. I'll have to try this method during the rest of the year though!
Wow, that's an awesome recipe! I'm always looking for simple turkey dishes.
I am cooking mini TG dinners this season to curb my over-eating... this just solved all of my turkey fears! I can't wait to try it!
Say what!? Ok, this I need to try, I love Turkey and my slow cooker. Bookmarking to make this, thank you!
I must admit, I've never ventured to cook my own turkey. This is a recipe I could totally handle!
I would never think to put my turkey into the crock pot. I am so doing that this year!
I don't own a slow cooker because I feel like everything that comes out of it is too mushy, but this turkey looks delicious and so easy to make.
This looks so great. I am always looking for yummy crock pot recipes!
I've made this before and used a boneless turkey breast. Your seasoning and spices sound heavenly!
WOW, this is amazing. I love slow cooker meals and turkey is my fave! I'm bookmarking this!
I love this1 I've made ham in my slow cooker before, and it's great. It frees up the oven for pies, bread, potatoes, casserole, etc. Great idea, thank you!
I knew it! I knew eventually you'd put a turkey in a crock pot. I think I mentioned that in a comment on a previous post of yours. Is there nothing you can't do with a crock pot, woman?
This looks like an amazing dinner idea. I am always looking for new recipes to use in my slow cooker, this would be something my family would love!
Orange juice? I would have never thought of adding this to turkey but it sounds amazing, probably keeps it nice and moist!
My slow cooker isn't big enough to get a turkey in there, but this makes me want to get a bigger crock pot. NOM!
My brother usually cooks our turkey so he is blowing us off this year. Sigh. So I am stuck doing it, and I thnk I am going to be stealing your recipe. thanks.
Thanks for this awesome turkey recipe. I will be making this for Thanksgiving this year. We do not like dark meat and this sounds so easy and delicious.