Hello there, I’m Chef Andrew. I’m excited to share a recipe that’s become a true holiday showstopper in my kitchen: my Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast. This isn’t just another dry, flavorless bird; this recipe delivers a turkey breast that is unbelievably juicy and bursting with bright, festive flavor. We’ll be using a simple, yet powerful technique to ensure the meat stays succulent while the skin crisps to a perfect golden brown, all finished with a vibrant, homemade cranberry orange glaze.
Table of Contents
The beauty of this dish is its simplicity, it brings all the wow factor of a full Thanksgiving turkey without the all-day commitment. Whether you’re hosting an intimate holiday gathering or simply looking for a new family favorite for Sunday dinner, this recipe is designed to impress with minimal effort. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that proves great cooking doesn’t have to be complicated.
Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
Equipment
- Roasting pan with rack
- Small saucepan
- Mixing Bowl
- Basting Brush
- Aluminum Foil
- Food thermometer
- Sharp carving knife
Ingredients
For the Turkey
- 1 turkey breast, bone-in and skin-on 3 to 4 pounds
For the Herb Rub
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
For the Cranberry Orange Glaze
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
Instructions
- Prep the Oven and Glaze: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and positioning a rack in the center. While the oven heats, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries, orange juice, honey, and orange zest. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow it to cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have burst and the glaze has thickened. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Turkey: Pat the turkey breast completely dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy, golden-brown skin.
- Create and Apply the Herb Rub: In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper. Gently loosen the turkey skin from the meat and rub about half of the herb mixture directly onto the meat under the skin. Spread the remaining mixture evenly over the outside of the skin.
- Roast the Turkey: Place the seasoned turkey breast, skin side up, on a rack in a roasting pan. Place the pan in the preheated oven.
- Glaze and Finish: Roast the turkey at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 20 minutes per pound, or until a food thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C). During the final 30 minutes of roasting, brush the turkey breast generously with the cranberry orange glaze every 10 minutes.
- Rest and Serve: Once the turkey reaches 165°F (74°C), remove it from the oven. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Resting is essential for a tender, moist final product. Slice the turkey and serve with any extra glaze.
Notes
Tips & Notes
- For an extra crispy skin, ensure the turkey breast is thoroughly dry before roasting.
- If the skin begins to brown too rapidly, lightly tent the turkey breast with foil.
- For a spicier note, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the glaze.
- To make it lower carb, substitute honey for a sugar-free sweetener.
Serving and Storage
Serving: Serve alongside roasted root vegetables, potato gratin, or a simple green salad. Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheating: To reheat, slice the turkey and warm it gently in a pan with a splash of chicken or turkey broth to prevent it from drying out.More Favorites from My Kitchen:
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta 9 Epic Weeknight Wins
Slow Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken 7 Amazing Reasons
Or go to my Pinterest.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe “Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast”
- Quick & Easy: Forget roasting a whole bird for hours. This recipe uses a bone-in turkey breast, cutting the cooking time significantly while still delivering all the festive flavor. It’s perfect for when you want a holiday-caliber meal without the stress.
- Simple Ingredients: We use pantry staples and fresh, seasonal ingredients like cranberries, oranges, and herbs to create a sophisticated flavor profile that’s both classic and elevated.
- Unique Technique: The key to this dish is rubbing a mixture of aromatic herbs and garlic both under and over the skin. This ensures the flavor penetrates the meat while the skin becomes a beautifully seasoned, crispy shield, locking in all the juices.
- Unbelievably Delicious: The combination of savory herbs and the tangy-sweet glaze creates a perfect harmony of flavors. The glaze caramelizes in the final minutes of roasting, forming a beautiful, slightly sticky crust that is absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients Needed for Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
For the Turkey:
- 1 turkey breast, bone-in and skin-on (3 to 4 pounds) The bone adds flavor and helps the meat cook evenly.
For the Herb Rub:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil A good quality olive oil works best here to carry the flavors.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
For the Cranberry Orange Glaze:
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup honey This adds a lovely, floral sweetness that balances the tart cranberries.
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
How to Make Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
- Prep the Oven and Glaze: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and positioning a rack in the center. While the oven heats, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries, orange juice, honey, and orange zest. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow it to cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have burst and the glaze has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and set aside to cool; the glaze will thicken further as it cools.
- Prepare the Turkey: Pat the turkey breast completely dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step! A dry surface is the secret to getting that perfectly crispy, golden-brown skin we all crave.
- Create and Apply the Herb Rub: In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper. The olive oil will help the herbs adhere to the skin. Gently use your fingers to loosen the turkey skin from the meat, being careful not to tear it. Rub about half of the herb mixture directly onto the meat under the skin. Then, spread the remaining mixture evenly over the outside of the skin and inside the turkey cavity.
- Roast the Turkey: Place the seasoned turkey breast, skin side up, on a rack in a roasting pan. This rack elevates the turkey, allowing for air circulation and ensuring the bottom of the breast doesn’t get soggy. Place the pan in the preheated oven.
- Glaze and Finish: Roast the turkey at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 20 minutes per pound, or until a food thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 165°F (74°C). During the final 30 minutes of roasting, you’ll begin the glazing process. Brush the turkey breast generously with the cooled cranberry orange glaze every 10 minutes. This creates a beautiful, sweet crust.
- Rest and Serve: Once the turkey reaches the target temperature, remove it from the oven. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Resting is essential, it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in an incredibly tender, moist final product. Slice the turkey and serve it with any extra glaze you have.
Tips & Notes of Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
- For an extra crispy skin, ensure the turkey breast is thoroughly dry before applying the rub and roasting.
- Allowing the turkey to rest before slicing helps retain the juices, resulting in tender meat.
- If the skin begins to brown too rapidly, lightly tent the turkey breast with foil for the remainder of the roasting time.
- For a spicier note, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the glaze while it’s simmering.
- To make it lower carb, substitute honey for a sugar-free sweetener in the glaze.
Serving and Storage Tips of Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
- Serving: Serve slices of turkey breast alongside roasted root vegetables, a creamy potato gratin, or a simple green salad. A dollop of the extra cranberry orange glaze on the side makes for a perfect finishing touch.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, slice the turkey and warm it gently in a pan with a splash of chicken or turkey broth to prevent it from drying out.
Tools You’ll Need of Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
- Roasting pan with rack
- Small saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- Basting brush
- Aluminum foil
- Food thermometer
- Sharp carving knife
Nutritional Info (Per Serving) of Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
- Calories: 325
- Fats: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Protein: 35 g
Conclusion of Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
This Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast is more than just a recipe; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients and a little technique can create something truly spectacular. The blend of savory herbs, juicy meat, and that perfect tangy-sweet glaze is a symphony of flavors that will make your holiday table, or any dinner table, feel special. I’ve perfected this recipe over countless holiday seasons, and I can tell you from experience that the aroma alone is enough to bring everyone into the kitchen. The best part? You get to enjoy all the rich, comforting flavors of a traditional roast without the hours of work, leaving you more time to spend with the people you love.
I hope you give this recipe a try and make it a part of your own family traditions. When you do, please come back and let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments and see your star rating. And if you snapped a photo, be sure to share it on your social media, it might just inspire a friend to get into the kitchen. What variations did you try? Did you add a dash of cinnamon or a different herb? Let me know below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
How do you make orange glaze for turkey?
To make an orange glaze, you can combine orange juice, orange zest, and a sweetener like honey or brown sugar in a saucepan. Simmer it over medium-high heat until the mixture thickens and can coat the back of a spoon. You can also add other flavorings like spices or herbs.
Does cranberry sauce taste good with turkey?
Yes, cranberry sauce and turkey are a classic combination. The tartness of the cranberries and the sweetness of the sauce cut through the richness of the turkey, creating a delicious and balanced flavor profile.
What is cranberry orange sauce?
Cranberry orange sauce is a type of compote or glaze made by cooking fresh cranberries with orange juice, orange zest, and a sweetener. The cranberries burst as they cook, releasing their tart flavor, which is balanced by the citrus and sweetness, making it a perfect accompaniment for roasted poultry.
When to add glaze to turkey?
For this recipe, you should begin brushing the glaze on the turkey breast during the last 30 minutes of roasting. Brushing it every 10 minutes will ensure the glaze caramelizes and forms a beautiful crust without burning.
Do you put glaze on before or after baking?
You should apply the glaze during the baking process, specifically in the final stages. If you apply it at the beginning, the sugars in the glaze can burn and turn bitter before the turkey is fully cooked.
Should I cover my turkey before I put it in the oven?
No, you should not cover the turkey when you first put it in the oven. Leaving it uncovered allows the skin to brown and crisp up. You can loosely tent the turkey with foil later in the cooking process if the skin is browning too quickly.