Sweet, tangy, and perfectly juicy holiday favorite
This Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast brings together the bright zest of oranges and the tart sweetness of cranberries for a festive, mouthwatering main dish. It’s perfect for holiday dinners, Sunday meals, or cozy weeknight feasts when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen. The glaze caramelizes beautifully in the oven, creating a glossy finish that tastes as good as it looks. Best of all, it’s simple to make and elegant enough to impress guests — even on your busiest days. ✨
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Servings: 6
📝 Ingredients
- 2 ½–3 lb boneless turkey breast, skin on
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 2 tbsp orange zest
- ⅓ cup honey (or maple syrup for a deeper flavor)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Roasting pan or baking dish
- Small saucepan
- Meat thermometer
- Basting brush
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Aluminum foil
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat turkey breast dry with paper towels and place it in a roasting pan.
- Make the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, zest, honey, brown sugar, olive oil, mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and ginger. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook the glaze for about 8–10 minutes until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens slightly. Mash gently with a spoon for a smoother texture. 🍊
- Brush the turkey breast generously with half of the glaze. Cover loosely with foil.
- Roast for 45 minutes, then remove the foil. Brush again with more glaze. Continue roasting for another 25–30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Drizzle with any remaining warm glaze. 🍽️
💡 Pro Tips
- Make ahead: The glaze can be made 2–3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Warm it before using.
- Crispy skin trick: Remove the foil for the last 30 minutes of roasting to allow the glaze to caramelize.
- Serving idea: Pair with roasted sweet potatoes, green beans, or a wild rice pilaf.
- Storage: Leftovers keep up to 3 days in an airtight container.