Cranberry-Orange Turkey Breast (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Brine Mix
01 -
1 cup of coarse kosher salt
02 -
4-5 pounds turkey breast
03 -
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
04 -
Juice and zest from 2 fresh oranges
05 -
4 cups plain water
06 -
A small bunch of fresh rosemary sprigs
→ Sweet Cranberry Glaze
07 -
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
08 -
1 cup cranberries, fresh
09 -
1/4 cup natural honey
10 -
1/2 cup orange marmalade
11 -
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat up a big pot and pour in the water, salt, orange zest, and the sugar. Let it come to a simmer and keep it there until all the sugar and salt dissolve completely. Take it off the heat, let it cool down, then stir in the fresh rosemary and orange juice.
02 -
Place the turkey breast into the cooled brine, making sure it's fully submerged. Cover the pot or container and refrigerate. Let it soak for a good 8 to 12 hours to fully take in those flavors.
03 -
Use a medium-sized saucepan on a medium heat setting. Stir together the cranberries, honey, Dijon mustard, marmalade, and orange juice. Cook gently, stirring once in a while, until the cranberries pop and the mixture thickens. This takes about 10-15 minutes.
04 -
Set your oven to warm up to 350°F (175°C). Take the turkey breast out of the brine after soaking and give it a rinse with cold water to wash off extra salt. Pat it completely dry using paper towels.
05 -
Put the turkey breast in a roasting pan, then cover it generously with some of the glaze you prepared. Bake it for about 75-90 minutes, or until a thermometer shows an inside temperature of 165°F. Brush it with more glaze every 20 minutes for an extra tasty coat.
06 -
When it's fully cooked, take the turkey out of the oven and leave it to rest for around 15 minutes. This makes sure the juices stay in. Slice it up and pour any leftover glaze on top for even more flavor.
# Notes:
01 -
Leaving the turkey in the brine overnight gives it the best flavor punch.
02 -
Try switching out the oranges for other citrus like lime or lemon for a different twist.
03 -
Store whatever is left in a sealed container in the fridge. Great for quick meals like sandwiches, salads, or stir-frying!