Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe
This Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast is a flavorful and moist main dish perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions. The turkey breast is roasted with an aromatic blend of fresh rosemary, thyme, garlic, and olive oil, then beautifully glazed with a tangy-sweet sauce made from fresh cranberries, orange juice, honey, and orange zest, giving it a vibrant and festive finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Seasonings
- 1 (3-4 lb) turkey breast, bone-in and skin-on
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cranberry Orange Glaze
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup orange juice
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for roasting the turkey breast.
- Prepare Turkey: Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper to form a herb mixture. Rub this mixture evenly over the entire turkey breast, ensuring it is well coated under the skin as well for maximum flavor.
- Roast Turkey: Place the seasoned turkey breast on a roasting pan fitted with a rack. Insert into the preheated oven and roast for about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer in the thickest part.
- Make Glaze: While the turkey roasts, prepare the cranberry orange glaze. In a medium saucepan, combine fresh cranberries, orange juice, honey, and orange zest. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 10-12 minutes until the cranberries burst and the glaze thickens slightly.
- Glaze the Turkey: During the last 15 minutes of roasting, brush the cranberry orange glaze generously over the turkey breast. Repeat glazing every 5 minutes until roasting is complete to build flavorful layers.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the turkey breast from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the meat moist. Slice and serve with any leftover cranberry orange glaze on the side.
Notes
- Using a meat thermometer ensures the turkey is cooked safely without drying out.
- Fresh cranberries can be substituted with frozen if fresh are unavailable, just thaw before use.
- The glaze can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For extra crisp skin, broil the turkey for 1-2 minutes at the end of roasting, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Leftover turkey breast makes excellent sandwiches or salads the next day.
Keywords: turkey breast, cranberry glaze, orange glaze, holiday recipe, roasted turkey, festive turkey, cranberry orange sauce