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Perfect Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast for Easy Fall Dinner

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This cranberry orange glazed turkey breast is juicy, tender, and topped with a tangy-sweet glaze. Perfect for a small gathering or a cozy fall dinner, it cooks in under two hours and is sure to impress even turkey skeptics.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bone-in, skin-on turkey breast (about 5–6 pounds / 2.3–2.7 kg)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole berry cranberry sauce
  • ½ cup (120 ml) orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 grams) orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take the turkey breast out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Pat it completely dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried thyme, and paprika. Rub the olive oil all over the turkey breast, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the entire surface.
  3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberry sauce, orange juice, honey (or maple syrup), apple cider vinegar, orange zest, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne (if using). Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Place the seasoned turkey breast on a wire rack set inside a roasting pan. Roast uncovered for about 1 hour, until the skin starts to turn golden and internal temperature reaches 120-130°F (49-54°C).
  5. After the first hour, brush a generous layer of glaze all over the turkey breast. Return to the oven.
  6. Every 10-15 minutes for the next 30-45 minutes, brush another layer of glaze onto the turkey. If the skin browns too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil.
  7. Start checking internal temperature after about 1 hour 30 minutes total roasting time. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast without touching bone. Cook until it reaches 165°F (74°C), usually 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours total.
  8. Remove turkey from oven and transfer to a cutting board. Let rest for at least 15-20 minutes.
  9. Slice the turkey breast against the grain into even slices. Spoon any remaining warm glaze over the sliced turkey before serving.

Notes

Pat the turkey dry for crispy skin. Watch the glaze to prevent burning; tent with foil if needed. Resting time is crucial for juicy meat. For extra-crispy skin, start at 400°F for 15 minutes then reduce to 350°F.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry orange glazed turkey breast, easy fall dinner, turkey breast recipe, cranberry turkey, Friendsgiving turkey, gluten-free turkey, dairy-free turkey

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