Print

Perfect Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast: Easy Holiday Recipe

cranberry orange glazed turkey breast - featured image
Print Recipe

This cranberry orange glazed turkey breast is a quick and easy holiday recipe that delivers a show-stopping, moist turkey with a sweet-tangy glaze. Perfect for small gatherings, it uses simple ingredients and a double-glaze technique for a gorgeous, caramelized finish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bone-in turkey breast (5–7 pounds)
  • 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal; reduce to 2 teaspoons if using Morton’s)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Take the turkey breast out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Pat it completely dry with paper towels. Season generously all over with kosher salt and black pepper. Gently loosen the skin from the meat and slide a few sprigs of rosemary and thyme under the skin.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, melted butter, honey, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Set aside half of the glaze for the final basting.
  3. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the turkey breast on the rack in your roasting pan, breast side up. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan.
  4. Roast the turkey breast uncovered for 45 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and brush a thin layer of the glaze all over the skin. Return to the oven.
  5. Continue roasting for another 30 minutes. Check the temperature; it should read around 145°F. Brush on another layer of glaze, using the reserved half.
  6. Roast for another 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 155°F. Remove the turkey from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes.
  7. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board. Slice against the grain into even pieces. Spoon any pan juices over the slices before serving.

Notes

For a spicy variation, add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a minced chipotle pepper to the glaze. For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil or plant-based butter. To prevent the glaze from burning, tent the turkey with foil if the skin gets too dark. Always use a thermometer to check doneness rather than relying solely on time.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry orange glazed turkey breast, holiday turkey recipe, easy turkey breast, small Thanksgiving turkey, cranberry turkey glaze

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/perfect-cranberry-orange-glazed-turkey-breast-easy-holiday-recipe/