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Perfect Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast Easy Holiday Recipe

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This Perfect Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast is a fast and foolproof holiday recipe that delivers a juicy, golden-brown turkey with a tangy-sweet caramelized glaze. Perfect for small gatherings or a stress-free weeknight dinner, it uses simple pantry ingredients and is ready in under 90 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (2.5 to 3 lb) boneless, skin-on turkey breast
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

  1. About 30 minutes before you start, take the turkey breast out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter. Pat it completely dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme. Rub this mixture all over the turkey breast, getting under the skin if you can.
  2. While the turkey rests, make the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, orange juice, honey, brown sugar, orange zest, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and cloves. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place your oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the turkey breast in the skillet, skin-side down. Sear for 3-4 minutes, until the skin is a deep golden brown.
  4. Flip the turkey breast over so the skin is facing up. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Roast for 40 minutes.
  5. After 40 minutes, remove the skillet from the oven. Using a basting brush or a spoon, generously coat the turkey breast with about half of the cranberry orange glaze. Return the skillet to the oven and continue roasting for another 15-20 minutes.
  6. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast, being careful not to hit the bone. It should register 160°F (71°C).
  7. Once the turkey hits 160°F, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes. While it rests, warm up the remaining glaze. Slice the turkey against the grain and drizzle with the extra glaze before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the sear; it creates a flavor foundation. Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness. Beware of burning the glaze; add it only during the last 15-20 minutes of roasting. Let the turkey rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing. The glaze can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey breast, cranberry orange glaze, holiday recipe, easy turkey, roasted turkey, Thanksgiving, Christmas, small gathering

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