Cranberry Orange Glazed Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
This Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast is a flavorful and moist roast perfect for holiday dinners or special occasions. The turkey is seasoned with fresh herbs and garlic, then roasted to juicy perfection. A tangy, sweet glaze made from fresh cranberries, orange juice, honey, and zest is brushed on during the last 30 minutes of roasting, creating a beautiful, glossy finish bursting with bright citrus and tart cranberry flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (based on a 4 lb turkey breast, 20 minutes per pound)
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey
- 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 the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for roasting the turkey breast.
- Make the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, honey, and orange zest. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and let simmer for 10-15 minutes until the cranberries have burst and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool.
- Prepare the turkey: Pat the turkey breast dry thoroughly with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper.
- Season the turkey: Gently loosen the skin of the turkey breast and rub half of the herb mixture underneath the skin. Rub the remaining mixture evenly over the skin and inside the cavity for maximum flavor.
- Roast the turkey: Place the turkey breast skin side up in a roasting pan. Roast in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature at the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Glaze the turkey: During the last 30 minutes of roasting, brush the cranberry orange glaze onto the turkey breast every 10 minutes, allowing a glossy, flavorful coating to develop.
- Rest and serve: Once cooked through, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This helps juices redistribute for a moist, tender result.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Letting the turkey rest after roasting is essential to retain moisture.
- The glaze can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated; warm slightly before brushing onto the turkey.
- Bone-in turkey breast helps keep the meat juicy and flavorful.
- Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme complement the citrus and cranberry glaze beautifully.
Keywords: turkey breast, cranberry glaze, orange glaze, roasted turkey, holiday turkey, citrus glaze, roasted poultry
