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Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey

A festive Thanksgiving turkey glazed with a sweet-tart cranberry orange sauce, perfect as a holiday centerpiece.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Turkey
  • 1 whole turkey 12–14 lbs, thawed
Glaze
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup orange juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 orange zest from 1 orange
  • 0.5 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 cup chicken broth for roasting pan
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Roasting pan with rack
  • Saucepan
  • Basting brush
  • Meat thermometer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Rinse and pat turkey dry, season cavity with salt, pepper, and herbs.
  2. In a saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, zest, honey, brown sugar, garlic, and Dijon mustard. Simmer until cranberries burst and glaze thickens. Stir in butter.
  3. Brush turkey with glaze. Pour chicken broth into roasting pan.
  4. Roast turkey, basting every 30–40 minutes with glaze, until internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Remove from oven, rest for 20–30 minutes before carving.
  6. Serve with remaining warmed glaze and garnish with cranberries and orange slices.

Notes

Thaw turkey fully before cooking. Use extra glaze for serving. Resting time is crucial for juicy meat.