Perfect Cranberry Orange Turkey Breast Recipe for Holidays
A juicy, tender turkey breast with a tangy cranberry-orange glaze that’s perfect for holiday gatherings. Easy to make and packed with bold, festive flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 5–6 pounds turkey breast, boneless or bone-in, thawed
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- Zest of 1 large orange
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and position the rack in the center.
- Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Rub it all over with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper.
- In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, honey, brown sugar, minced garlic, and fresh thyme. Heat over medium heat until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Place the turkey breast on a rack inside the roasting pan. Roast for about 1.5-2 hours, depending on its size. Use a meat thermometer to check—it should reach 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, brush the cranberry orange glaze generously over the turkey every 10 minutes.
- Once it’s done, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Carve the turkey breast into thin slices and drizzle with any remaining glaze. Garnish with fresh rosemary or orange slices for a festive touch.
Notes
[‘Let the turkey breast sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before roasting to ensure even cooking.’, ‘Double the glaze if you prefer extra sauce for serving.’, ‘Keep a close eye on the glaze while cooking to prevent burning.’, ‘Allow the turkey to rest after cooking to retain moisture.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6-ounce portion
- Calories: 280
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Protein: 40
Keywords: cranberry orange turkey, holiday turkey recipe, Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas turkey, festive turkey breast