Description
This Cranberry Orange Turkey Breast is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Juicy turkey coated in a cranberry-orange glaze makes a show-stopping centerpiece for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy dinner. Easy to prepare and bursting with festive color, it’s ideal for smaller gatherings that still want big flavor.
Ingredients
1 boneless turkey breast (2–3 lbs)
1 cup fresh cranberries
½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
1 tablespoon orange zest
¼ cup brown sugar or honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking dish with foil and lightly grease.
Prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, zest, and brown sugar. Simmer over medium heat until cranberries burst and sauce thickens (about 10 minutes). Stir in thyme, salt, and pepper.
Season the turkey: Rub the turkey breast with olive oil, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Glaze and roast: Brush half the cranberry-orange glaze over the turkey. Roast for 40–50 minutes, basting with more glaze every 15 minutes.
Check temperature: When the internal temperature reaches 165°F, remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes.
Serve: Slice and drizzle with remaining glaze before serving. Garnish with orange slices or fresh rosemary if desired.
Notes
Substitute brown sugar with honey for a naturally sweet glaze.
Blend and strain the glaze for a smoother, glossy texture.
For a slow cooker version, cook on low for 4–5 hours and baste halfway through.
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Cranberry Orange Turkey Breast, cranberry orange glaze, holiday turkey recipe, Thanksgiving turkey breast, easy turkey dinner, Christmas turkey, festive main course
