Print

Perfect Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast for Two

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

A perfectly portioned, juicy turkey breast with a sweet-tangy cranberry orange glaze, ideal for an intimate holiday dinner or a special meal for two. This recipe delivers a show-stopping main dish without the fuss of a whole bird.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (2-3 pound) boneless, skin-on turkey breast
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce
  • ¼ cup fresh orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Prep the Turkey (10 minutes): Take your turkey breast out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you plan to cook it. Pat it completely dry with paper towels. Place it in your roasting pan or baking dish.
  2. Season the Turkey (5 minutes): In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until it forms a paste. Using your fingers, gently loosen the skin over the turkey breast, being careful not to tear it. Spread about half of the seasoned butter directly onto the meat under the skin. Then, spread the remaining butter all over the outside of the skin.
  3. Preheat and First Roast (30-40 minutes): Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roast the turkey breast, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
  4. Make the Glaze (while turkey roasts): In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberry sauce, fresh orange juice, honey (or maple syrup), orange zest, and grated ginger. Bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, until it has thickened slightly and the cranberries have broken down a bit. Remove it from the heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar and the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter until it’s melted and glossy. Set it aside.
  5. Glaze and Continue Roasting (25-35 minutes): After the first 30 minutes, remove the turkey from the oven. Using your pastry brush, generously brush the entire surface of the turkey with the cranberry orange glaze. Return the turkey to the oven and reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C). Roast for another 25-35 minutes, basting with the glaze every 10 minutes.
  6. Check for Doneness: Your turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 160°F (71°C). The temperature will rise to 165°F (74°C) as it rests. If the skin is getting too dark before the internal temperature is reached, loosely tent the turkey with a piece of aluminum foil.
  7. Rest and Serve (15 minutes): Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board, slice it against the grain, and spoon some of the pan juices over the top.

Notes

For a bone-in turkey breast, add 15-25 minutes to the total roasting time. The glaze can be made up to 3 days in advance and reheated. If the glaze is too thin, simmer it longer to thicken. To prevent the skin from burning, tent with foil if it gets too dark. For an air fryer version, cook at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, basting halfway through.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/perfect-cranberry-orange-glazed-turkey-breast-for-two/