Print

Perfect Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast for Two – Easy Holiday Dinner

cranberry orange glazed turkey breast for two - featured image
Print Recipe

This Perfect Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast for Two is a quick and easy holiday dinner, ready in under 90 minutes. The tangy-sweet cranberry orange glaze caramelizes over tender, juicy turkey, making it perfect for a cozy celebration without the hassle of a full turkey.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bone-in turkey breast half (about 2 to 2.5 pounds or 900g to 1.1kg)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (about 100g)
  • 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (about 2 oranges)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 orange)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • Pinch of ground cloves

Instructions

  1. Take the turkey breast out of the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking. Pat it completely dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme. Rub the softened butter all over the turkey breast, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the butter. Let it sit at room temperature while you make the glaze.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, orange juice, brown sugar, honey, orange zest, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and cloves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.
  3. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the seasoned turkey breast in your roasting pan or skillet, skin side up. Pour about 1/4 cup of water into the bottom of the pan.
  4. Roast the turkey breast uncovered for 40 minutes.
  5. Remove the pan from the oven. Using a basting brush, generously brush the cranberry orange glaze all over the turkey breast. Return to the oven and roast for another 10 minutes. Repeat the glazing process, then roast for another 10-15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) when measured at the thickest part of the breast.
  6. 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 165°F (74°C) during resting.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the turkey skin for crispy results. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. If the glaze starts to burn before the turkey reaches temperature, tent the breast loosely with foil. Make extra glaze to serve on the side. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey breast, cranberry orange glaze, holiday dinner, easy turkey recipe, dinner for two, Thanksgiving for two

Find it online: https://tinastirs.com/perfect-cranberry-orange-glazed-turkey-breast-for-two-easy-holiday-dinner/