Description
This Perfect Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey is juicy, flavorful, and beautifully caramelized with a sweet-tart cranberry orange glaze — a stunning centerpiece for your holiday table.
Ingredients
-
- 1 whole turkey (10–12 lbs), thawed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sage, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 cup chicken broth (for roasting)
For the Cranberry Orange Glaze:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Pat the turkey dry with paper towels and remove giblets if included.
- In a small bowl, mix softened butter, olive oil, thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Carefully loosen the skin over the breast and thighs with your hands, then rub half of the butter mixture under the skin. Rub the remaining mixture all over the outside of the turkey.
- Stuff the turkey cavity with orange slices and onion quarters. Tie legs together with kitchen twine and tuck wings under the bird.
- Place turkey on a rack in a roasting pan. Pour chicken broth into the bottom of the pan to keep it moist.
- Roast for 2 1/2–3 hours (or about 13–15 minutes per pound), basting every 45 minutes with pan juices.
- Meanwhile, make the glaze: in a saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, honey, brown sugar, orange zest, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and salt. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until thickened. Strain if you prefer a smooth glaze.
- During the last 30–40 minutes of roasting, brush the turkey generously with the cranberry orange glaze every 10 minutes to form a sticky, glossy coating.
- Check that the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 74°C (165°F) in the thickest part of the breast.
- Let the turkey rest for 20–30 minutes before carving. Serve with extra glaze on the side.
Notes
- For extra crisp skin, uncover the turkey for the last 20 minutes of roasting.
- Use leftover glaze as a sauce for sides like mashed potatoes or stuffing.
- This recipe works beautifully with turkey breasts instead of a whole bird for smaller gatherings.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 3 hrs
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American