Print

Perfect Cranberry Orange Turkey Breast for Holiday Dinners

cranberry orange turkey breast - featured image
Print Recipe

A juicy, flavorful bone-in turkey breast glazed with a tart-sweet cranberry orange sauce. This holiday centerpiece is easy to make in under 2.5 hours and perfect for smaller gatherings or a stress-free Thanksgiving.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (5-7 lb) bone-in, skin-on turkey breast (thawed if frozen)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • ½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (about 1 large orange)
  • ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • Pinch of ground cloves
  • Fresh orange slices (for garnish, optional)
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish, optional)
  • Extra fresh cranberries (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Turkey: About 45 minutes before roasting, remove turkey breast from fridge and let sit at room temperature. Pat skin completely dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix softened butter, salt, pepper, thyme, and garlic powder into a paste. Gently loosen skin over breast meat and rub half the butter mixture under the skin. Rub remaining butter all over the outside of the skin.
  2. Make the Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, honey, brown sugar, orange zest, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low. Let bubble gently for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and mixture thickens slightly. Remove cinnamon stick and let cool.
  3. Roast the Turkey: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place turkey breast on a rack in a roasting pan, skin side up. Roast uncovered for 45 minutes.
  4. Glaze and Continue Roasting: After 45 minutes, brush a generous layer of glaze over the skin. Return to oven and continue roasting, basting with glaze every 15 minutes. Total cooking time is about 15-18 minutes per pound, but use a thermometer for accuracy.
  5. Check for Doneness: Turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast (not touching bone) registers 155°F (68°C). Temperature will rise to 165°F during resting.
  6. Rest and Serve: Transfer turkey to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for at least 20 minutes. Carve against the grain into thick slices. Spoon remaining glaze or pan juices over the top before serving.

Notes

Pat the turkey skin bone-dry for crispy skin. Start glazing after the first 45 minutes to prevent burning. Trust the thermometer over the timer. If skin browns too quickly, tent with foil. Glaze can be made up to 3 days ahead. For a whole turkey, double the glaze and adjust roasting time.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/perfect-cranberry-orange-turkey-breast-for-holiday-dinners/