What pairs well with cranberry orange glazed turkey breast?

This glazed turkey breast is rich, sweet, and savory, which makes it incredibly versatile when it comes to side dishes. It pairs beautifully with creamy or herby flavors. Think zucchini casserole , mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, or wild rice stuffing. For an appetizer, Baked Cranberry Brie Bites are festive and echo the cranberry flavors beautifully. For a full spread, try mixing in sweet and savory options to balance the glaze.

How do you keep a glazed turkey breast from drying out?

The key to a juicy cranberry orange turkey breast is threefold: Don't overcook it : Always use a meat thermometer and remove the turkey at 165°F. Rest the meat : Letting it rest after roasting allows juices to redistribute. Glaze frequently : The glaze adds moisture and keeps the surface from drying out. You can even spoon pan drippings over the turkey during resting time for extra flavor.

Can I make cranberry orange glaze ahead of time?

Absolutely. The glaze is ideal for prepping in advance. Make it up to 3 days ahead, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and warm it up before brushing onto the turkey. In fact, letting the glaze rest often deepens the flavor.

What kind of turkey breast works best for glazing?

Boneless, skin-on turkey breast is the best choice for this recipe. It’s easy to handle, cooks quickly, and the skin helps retain moisture while crisping up under the glaze. However, bone-in turkey breast works just as well if you don’t mind a slightly longer cooking time (about 10–15 minutes more). Skinless turkey breast will work too, but it may need extra basting to stay moist.

Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast: 5-Star Holiday Favorite

Name: Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 to 2.5 lb boneless turkey breast; 1 cup fresh cranberries; ½ cup fresh orange juice; 1 tbsp orange zest; ¼ cup brown sugar; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional); ½ tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp olive oil; Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)

Ingredients

Scale

2 to 2.5 lb boneless turkey breast

1 cup fresh cranberries

½ cup fresh orange juice

1 tbsp orange zest

¼ cup brown sugar

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)

½ tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

1 tbsp olive oil

Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and line a roasting pan with foil.

2. In a saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, zest, brown sugar, mustard, garlic, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.

3. Simmer glaze for 8–10 minutes until thickened.

4. Rub turkey breast with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

5. Place in pan and roast for 50–60 minutes (25 min per pound).

6. Brush glaze on turkey every 15–20 minutes while baking.

7. When internal temp reaches 165°F, remove from oven and rest 10–15 minutes.

8. Slice and serve with extra glaze spooned over the top.

Notes

You can prep the glaze 2–3 days ahead.

For a spicier twist, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Bone-in turkey breast also works but will require more cooking time.

Author: Chef Saly
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Roasted
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 turkey breast
Calories: 320
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 90mg