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Easy Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast

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A cozy, flavorful turkey breast with a sticky, tangy-sweet cranberry orange glaze that caramelizes to perfection. Perfect for holidays or a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 boneless turkey breast (about 2–3 pounds)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • ½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, light or dark
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth (for pan sauce, optional)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces (for pan sauce, optional)
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice (for pan sauce, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven. Take the turkey breast out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter for about 20 minutes.
  2. Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme. Rub the olive oil all over the turkey breast, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the entire surface.
  4. In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, orange juice, honey, brown sugar, orange zest, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
  5. Place the seasoned turkey breast in your roasting pan or baking dish. Roast for 30 minutes uncovered.
  6. After 30 minutes, carefully remove the pan from the oven. Using a pastry brush, apply a generous layer of the cranberry orange glaze all over the turkey. Return the pan to the oven and continue roasting for another 20 minutes.
  7. After 20 minutes, remove the pan again. Apply another generous layer of glaze.
  8. Turn your oven to broil. Place the turkey back in the oven and broil for 2-4 minutes, watching carefully, until the glaze bubbles and darkens.
  9. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast. It should read 160°F (71°C). If not quite there, return to the oven (not on broil) for another 5-10 minutes and check again.
  10. Remove the turkey from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
  11. While the turkey rests, place the roasting pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, then whisk in the cold butter pieces until melted and smooth. Stir in the tablespoon of orange juice. Season with a pinch of salt if needed. Pour into a small serving pitcher.
  12. Remove the foil from the turkey. Slice against the grain into ½-inch thick pieces. Arrange on a platter, drizzle with any remaining glaze or the pan sauce, and serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip the resting time; it’s crucial for juicy meat. Watch the broiler carefully to prevent burning. Use a meat thermometer for best results. Double the glaze if you want extra for serving. Let the glaze cool slightly before applying.

Nutrition

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

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