🎉 Introduction
If you’re searching for an elegant, juicy, and flavor-packed holiday centerpiece that’s easier and faster than cooking a whole turkey, this Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast is the recipe you need. It brings together everything that makes holiday cooking magical — the brightness of fresh orange zest, the tart sweetness of cranberries, warm herbs like rosemary and thyme, and a glossy glaze made with honey or maple syrup.
Turkey breast cooks faster, stays beautifully tender when prepared correctly, and absorbs flavors incredibly well. When coated in a citrusy cranberry glaze, the roasted meat becomes juicy, aromatic, and visually stunning — with a beautiful shiny finish and festive color. The glaze reduces into a thick, sticky, fresh cranberry sauce that drips perfectly over slices of turkey.
This recipe is ideal for:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas dinner
- Holiday parties
- Sunday family meals
- Pinterest holiday boards
- Meal prep leftovers
- Healthy protein-rich meals
With simple ingredients and effortless preparation, this dish feels both luxurious and comforting — a perfect balance of sweet, savory, tangy, and herbaceous. Let’s create a holiday-worthy turkey breast that will impress every guest.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Roasting pan or baking dish
- Small saucepan
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Basting brush
- Aluminum foil
- Meat thermometer
🛒 Ingredients
(Your exact ingredients organized for clarity.)
Turkey
- 3 lb turkey breast (bone-in or boneless)
Fruit & Aromatics
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 small shallot, finely minced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
Condiments
- 3 tbsp honey or maple syrup
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Fats
- 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Prep the Turkey Breast
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Pat the turkey breast dry using paper towels. This step helps the skin crisp and allows the seasoning to stick.
Rub turkey breast with:
- Olive oil or melted butter
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Half of the orange zest
Set aside while preparing the glaze.
Step 2: Make the Cranberry Orange Glaze
In a saucepan over medium heat, add:
- Fresh cranberries
- Orange juice
- Honey or maple syrup
- Minced garlic
- Minced shallot
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Remaining orange zest
Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
Cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and the sauce becomes thick and glossy.
Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity if desired.
Step 3: Roast the Turkey Breast
Place turkey breast into a roasting pan.
Brush generously with cranberry orange glaze.
Reserve extra glaze for basting.
Roast for 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes, depending on size.
Every 20 minutes:
- Remove turkey
- Brush more glaze over the top
This builds a shiny caramelized coating.
Step 4: Check Internal Temperature
Turkey is ready when the center reaches:
165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer.
If glaze darkens too fast, tent loosely with foil during the last 20 minutes.
Step 5: Rest the Turkey
Remove from oven and rest 10–12 minutes before slicing.
This ensures juicy, tender meat.
While resting, the glaze thickens into a sticky, flavorful coating.
Step 6: Serve
Slice turkey and spoon extra cranberry-orange glaze over each serving.
Garnish with:
- Orange zest
- Fresh herbs
- A few whole cranberries
Serve with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted vegetables
- Stuffing
- Rice pilaf
- Holiday salads
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hr – 1 hr 20 min
- Total Time: ~1.5 hours
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store slices and glaze up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze for 2–3 months in airtight bags.
Reheating
- Oven: 300°F for 12–15 minutes
- Air fryer: 4 minutes at 350°F
- Microwave: 1–2 minutes
Add extra glaze during reheating to keep moist.
🥄 Variations
1. Spicy Cranberry Turkey
Add crushed chili flakes to the glaze.
2. Herb-Loaded Version
Add sage or extra rosemary.
3. Citrus Trio Glaze
Use orange + lemon + lime zest.
4. Maple Only Holiday Version
Use only pure maple syrup for deeper flavor.
5. Low-Sugar Version
Reduce honey/maple by half.
6. Christmas Cranberry Pecan Turkey
Top with toasted pecans before serving.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes — use straight from freezer.
2. Can I use bone-in turkey breast?
Yes — cooking time will be slightly longer.
3. What if my glaze is too thick?
Add 1–2 tbsp orange juice.
4. Can I make the glaze ahead?
Yes — up to 3 days.
5. Can I use dried herbs?
Yes — use ⅓ the amount.
6. How do I keep turkey juicy?
Do not overcook — use a thermometer.
7. Can I add butter under the skin?
Yes — adds richness.
8. Can I double this recipe?
Yes — use a larger pan.
9. Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Excellent — stays moist with glaze.
10. Can I serve this cold?
Yes — great for sandwiches and salads.
🏁 Conclusion
This Perfect Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast is the ultimate holiday centerpiece — flavorful, juicy, beautifully caramelized, and bursting with bright citrus and berry notes. The sweet-tart glaze coats the turkey in a glossy, festive shine, while the fresh herbs add depth and warmth. It’s easier than roasting a whole turkey, yet just as impressive and delicious.
Whether it’s for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy dinner at home, this dish brings the perfect balance of savory, sweet, tangy, and aromatic flavors. Every slice is juicy, tender, and infused with holiday comfort — a recipe guaranteed to earn compliments every time.
Aromatic, vibrant, juicy, sweet, tangy… the perfect holiday turkey.
Perfect Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat the turkey breast dry using paper towels. This step helps the skin crisp and allows the seasoning to stick.
- Rub turkey breast with:
- Olive oil or melted butter
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Half of the orange zest
- Set aside while preparing the glaze.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add:
- Fresh cranberries
- Orange juice
- Honey or maple syrup
- Minced garlic
- Minced shallot
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Remaining orange zest
- Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and the sauce becomes thick and glossy.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity if desired.
- Place turkey breast into a roasting pan.
- Brush generously with cranberry orange glaze.
- Reserve extra glaze for basting.
- Roast for 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes, depending on size.
- Every 20 minutes:
- Remove turkey
- Brush more glaze over the top
- This builds a shiny caramelized coating.
- Turkey is ready when the center reaches:
- 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer.
- If glaze darkens too fast, tent loosely with foil during the last 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and rest 10–12 minutes before slicing.
- This ensures juicy, tender meat.
- While resting, the glaze thickens into a sticky, flavorful coating.
- Slice turkey and spoon extra cranberry-orange glaze over each serving.
- Garnish with:
- Orange zest
- Fresh herbs
- A few whole cranberries
- Serve with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted vegetables
- Stuffing
- Rice pilaf
- Holiday salads
Notes
Refrigerator Store slices and glaze up to 4 days. Freezer Freeze for 2–3 months in airtight bags. Reheating Oven: 300°F for 12–15 minutes Air fryer: 4 minutes at 350°F Microwave: 1–2 minutes Add extra glaze during reheating to keep moist. 🥄 Variations
1. Spicy Cranberry Turkey Add crushed chili flakes to the glaze. 2. Herb-Loaded Version Add sage or extra rosemary. 3. Citrus Trio Glaze Use orange + lemon + lime zest. 4. Maple Only Holiday Version Use only pure maple syrup for deeper flavor. 5. Low-Sugar Version Reduce honey/maple by half. 6. Christmas Cranberry Pecan Turkey Top with toasted pecans before serving. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use frozen cranberries? Yes — use straight from freezer. 2. Can I use bone-in turkey breast? Yes — cooking time will be slightly longer. 3. What if my glaze is too thick? Add 1–2 tbsp orange juice. 4. Can I make the glaze ahead? Yes — up to 3 days. 5. Can I use dried herbs? Yes — use ⅓ the amount. 6. How do I keep turkey juicy? Do not overcook — use a thermometer. 7. Can I add butter under the skin? Yes — adds richness. 8. Can I double this recipe? Yes — use a larger pan. 9. Is this recipe good for meal prep? Excellent — stays moist with glaze. 10. Can I serve this cold? Yes — great for sandwiches and salads. 🏁 Conclusion This Perfect Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast is the ultimate holiday centerpiece — flavorful, juicy, beautifully caramelized, and bursting with bright citrus and berry notes. The sweet-tart glaze coats the turkey in a glossy, festive shine, while the fresh herbs add depth and warmth. It’s easier than roasting a whole turkey, yet just as impressive and delicious. Whether it’s for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a cozy dinner at home, this dish brings the perfect balance of savory, sweet, tangy, and aromatic flavors. Every slice is juicy, tender, and infused with holiday comfort — a recipe guaranteed to earn compliments every time. Aromatic, vibrant, juicy, sweet, tangy… the perfect holiday turkey.
