Description
This Perfect Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey features a sweet-tart cranberry orange glaze over tender, brined turkey. The result is incredibly moist meat with gorgeous caramelized skin perfect for holidays and special occasions.
Ingredients
12–14 pound fresh turkey, giblets removed
1 gallon water for brine
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 bay leaves
4 tablespoons butter, softened
2 teaspoons dried sage
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup orange zest
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh thyme
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Dissolve salt and brown sugar in gallon of water with bay leaves for brine
2. Submerge turkey completely and refrigerate 12-24 hours
3. Remove turkey from brine, pat completely dry, and bring to room temperature 1 hour before cooking
4. Preheat oven to 325°F and position rack in lower third
5. Mix softened butter with sage, pepper, and garlic powder
6. Carefully loosen turkey skin and spread herb butter under skin over breast and thighs
7. For glaze: Combine cranberries, orange juice, zest, honey, vinegar, thyme, and cinnamon in saucepan
8. Simmer glaze 15-20 minutes until cranberries burst and mixture thickens
9. Place turkey breast-side up on rack in roasting pan
10. Roast 20 minutes per pound, about 4-5 hours for 14-pound turkey
11. Begin basting with glaze every 30 minutes during final 90 minutes of cooking
12. Check temperature with instant-read thermometer – thigh should reach 165°F, breast 160°F
13. Tent with foil and let rest 30 minutes before carving
14. Strain pan juices and serve alongside sliced turkey
Notes
Fresh turkey works best, but frozen can be used if completely thawed.
Don’t skip brining step – it’s crucial for moist turkey.
Use meat thermometer rather than pop-up indicator for accuracy.
Turkey continues cooking during rest period, so don’t overcook.
Leftover turkey keeps refrigerated up to 4 days.
Glaze can be made day ahead and reheated.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 300
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: turkey, cranberry glaze, holiday recipe, Thanksgiving, Christmas