Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey – Perfect for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is never complete without a stunning centerpiece, and this Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey delivers a show-stopping moment every time. Juicy, golden, and bursting with bright citrus notes, this turkey takes the traditional roast and gives it a festive, tangy twist. The sweet-tart glaze of cranberries and oranges caramelizes beautifully in the oven, creating a glossy finish that’s both delicious and picture-perfect. Whether you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving or you’re a seasoned pro, this recipe combines simplicity and elegance in one unforgettable dish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The glaze blends the sweet-tart pop of cranberries with the zesty freshness of oranges, creating a mouthwatering harmony that cuts through the richness of the turkey.
• Moist and Tender Meat: The glaze not only enhances flavor but also locks in moisture, ensuring every bite is juicy and flavorful.
• A Beautiful Showpiece: With its jewel-toned glaze and fragrant herbs, this turkey looks as good as it tastes—guaranteed to impress your guests.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the glaze and even marinate the turkey the night before for easy Thanksgiving morning prep.

Ingredients

For the Turkey:

• 1 whole turkey (12–14 pounds), thawed if frozen
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 oranges, zested and juiced
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon thyme, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 1 orange, quartered
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed

For the Cranberry Orange Glaze:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare:
   Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove the giblets from the turkey cavity, rinse the bird under cold water, and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Season the Turkey:
   In a small bowl, mix softened butter, orange zest, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Gently loosen the skin over the breast and thighs with your fingers and rub half the butter mixture underneath the skin. Spread the remaining butter over the outside of the turkey.
3. Stuff and Truss:
   Stuff the cavity with onion quarters, orange wedges, and smashed garlic cloves. Tuck the wings under the bird and tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
4. Roast the Turkey:
   Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan. Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the pan to keep the oven moist. Tent the turkey loosely with foil and roast for about 2½ to 3 hours, depending on the size of your bird.
5. Make the Glaze:
   While the turkey roasts, prepare the cranberry orange glaze. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, brown sugar, honey, orange zest, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 15 minutes. Strain if you prefer a smooth glaze.
6. Glaze and Roast Again:
   After the turkey has cooked for about 2½ hours (or once it reaches 140°F internally), remove the foil and begin brushing the glaze generously over the skin. Continue roasting uncovered, basting every 15–20 minutes until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast.
7. Rest Before Serving:
   Remove from the oven, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 20–30 minutes before carving. This step locks in all those flavorful juices.
8. Serve with Style:
   Slice and serve your turkey drizzled with extra glaze. Garnish with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary sprigs for a stunning presentation.

Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey

A juicy roasted turkey coated with a sweet-tart cranberry orange glaze, perfect for Thanksgiving or any festive holiday dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Autumn

Calories: 340

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Turkey

• 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs)
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
• 2 oranges zested and juiced
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
• 1 tbsp thyme chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 onion quartered
• 1 orange quartered
• 4 cloves garlic smashed

Cranberry Orange Glaze

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 cup orange juice freshly squeezed
• 0.5 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup honey
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 0.25 tsp cinnamon
• 1 pinch salt

Equipment

• Roasting pan
• Basting brush
• Saucepan
• Meat thermometer

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Rinse and pat dry turkey.
2. Mix butter, orange zest, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Rub under and over turkey skin.
3. Stuff turkey with onion, orange, and garlic. Truss legs and tuck wings.
4. Roast on rack in pan for 2½ to 3 hours, tented with foil.
5. Combine cranberries, orange juice, brown sugar, honey, zest, vinegar, mustard, and cinnamon. Simmer 15 minutes until thickened.
6. Brush glaze over turkey during last 30–45 minutes, basting every 15 minutes until glossy and caramelized.
7. Let rest 20–30 minutes before carving and serving.

Notes

For a smooth glaze, strain before brushing. Make extra for serving on the side.

Tips for the Perfect Cranberry Orange Turkey

• Use a Meat Thermometer: The key to perfect turkey is temperature control. Always check the thickest part of the breast and the thigh for doneness.
• Don’t Rush the Resting: Letting the turkey rest allows juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist.
• Make the Glaze in Advance: This glaze can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Warm it slightly before brushing it onto the turkey.
• Use Pan Drippings: Mix a little of the glaze with pan drippings to create an incredible gravy.
• Add a Touch of Spice: For a kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the glaze.

Serving Suggestions

This turkey pairs beautifully with classic holiday sides:

• Garlic Mashed Potatoes with a drizzle of turkey gravy.
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts tossed with balsamic glaze.
• Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing for an extra burst of festive flavor.
• Orange Zest Dinner Rolls that echo the citrusy notes of the glaze.

For beverages, pair with a sparkling cranberry punch or dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to balance the tangy sweetness.

Fun Fact: The Cranberry Connection

Cranberries have long been part of North American harvest celebrations, thanks to Native American traditions of combining them with meats and grains. This recipe pays homage to that heritage by blending the fruit’s natural tartness with orange, creating a balance of bright acidity and warmth that complements the rich turkey meat.

Variations

• Cranberry Maple Glaze: Substitute honey with maple syrup for a deeper, earthy sweetness.
• Spiced Orange Bourbon Glaze: Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon to the glaze for a smoky holiday flavor.
• Herb Butter Twist: Add sage and tarragon to the butter mixture for a more aromatic roast.
• Smaller Gathering Version: Make this glaze for a roasted turkey breast instead of a whole bird for smaller celebrations.

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate: Store leftover turkey slices in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Reheat covered in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until warm, brushing with leftover glaze to restore moisture.

Final Thoughts

The Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of flavor, color, and tradition. Every bite bursts with citrusy brightness balanced by the deep, festive notes of cranberry. Whether it’s your main event for Thanksgiving or a star attraction for a holiday feast, this recipe guarantees a juicy, flavorful turkey that your guests will remember long after the plates are cleared.