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Lighter Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast: Easy & Juicy

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This Lighter Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast is a quick and easy recipe perfect for small gatherings. It features a tart-sweet glaze made from roasted cranberries and orange, resulting in juicy, tender meat with crispy skin.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bone-in, skin-on turkey breast (about 3–4 lbs / 1.4–1.8 kg)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (about 100g)
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • Zest of 1 medium orange (about 1 tablespoon)
  • Juice of 1 medium orange (about ¼ cup)
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Make the cranberry orange glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, maple syrup, orange zest, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, and thyme. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
  3. Prep the turkey breast: Pat the turkey breast completely dry with paper towels. Rub the olive oil all over the turkey, then season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  4. Place the turkey in the roasting pan skin-side up.
  5. Apply the first layer of glaze: Using a basting brush, apply a generous layer of the cranberry orange glaze all over the turkey breast. Reserve about half of the glaze for later.
  6. Roast for 30 minutes. Do not open the oven door during this time.
  7. Apply the second layer of glaze: After 30 minutes, remove the turkey from the oven and brush on another layer of the reserved glaze.
  8. Continue roasting for another 20-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155°F (68°C) when measured at the thickest part of the breast.
  9. Let it rest: Remove the turkey from the oven and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 15 minutes. The temperature will continue to rise to 160-165°F (71-74°C) during resting.
  10. Slice and serve: Slice against the grain into ½-inch thick slices. Drizzle any remaining glaze or pan juices over the top.

Notes

Do not skip the resting step; it allows juices to redistribute. Pat the turkey dry for crispy skin. Use a thermometer for accuracy. Glaze in layers for a caramelized crust. Let the glaze cool slightly before applying to prevent it from sliding off.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey breast, cranberry orange glaze, lighter, easy, juicy, holiday, small gathering

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/lighter-cranberry-orange-glazed-turkey-breast-easy-and-juicy/