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Festive Citrus-Cranberry Holiday Turkey Recipe

Festive Citrus-Cranberry Holiday Turkey Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 16 reviews

This Festive Citrus-Cranberry Holiday Turkey combines classic herb-roasted turkey with a bright citrus twist and a sweet-tart cranberry glaze. Juicy and aromatic, it’s the perfect centerpiece for your holiday feast that balances savory herbs with zesty orange and lemon flavors and a luscious cranberry finish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Turkey

  • 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs), thawed and giblets removed
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • Zest of 2 oranges
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • ¼ cup fresh orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

For the Aromatic Cavity

  • 1 orange, quartered
  • 1 lemon, quartered
  • 1 small onion, quartered
  • 2 sprigs rosemary
  • 2 sprigs thyme

For the Cranberry Glaze

  • 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • ½ cup honey
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Turkey: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Pat the turkey completely dry using paper towels to ensure crispy skin. In a bowl, combine the softened butter, olive oil, orange and lemon zest, orange and lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme leaves, sage, salt, and black pepper to make a flavorful herb-citrus butter mixture. Gently loosen the skin over the turkey breast and rub half of the mixture underneath the skin for deep flavor. Rub the remaining butter mixture all over the outside of the turkey, coating it evenly.
  2. Stuff the Cavity: Stuff the turkey cavity with the quartered orange, lemon, onion, and sprigs of rosemary and thyme. This aromatic combination will infuse the turkey with bright and herbaceous flavors during roasting. If desired, tie the legs together with kitchen twine to maintain shape and even cooking.
  3. Roast the Turkey: Place the turkey breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast for approximately 13–15 minutes per pound, which will be about 2 ½ to 3 hours for a 12–14 pound bird. Baste the turkey every 30–40 minutes with the pan juices to keep it moist and flavorful. If the skin starts browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil to prevent burning. The turkey is cooked when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (75°C).
  4. Make the Cranberry Glaze: While the turkey is roasting, prepare the glaze by combining cranberries, honey, fresh orange juice, orange zest, balsamic vinegar, cinnamon, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 8–10 minutes until the cranberries burst and the glaze thickens. For a smoother glaze, blend slightly; alternatively, leave it chunky for a rustic texture.
  5. Glaze & Rest: During the last 20 minutes of roasting, brush the turkey generously with the cranberry glaze to form a delicious sweet-tart coating. Once the turkey is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 20–30 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute. Serve with any extra warm cranberry glaze on the side for added flavor.

Notes

  • Allowing the turkey to rest after roasting is essential for juicy meat.
  • You can prepare the cranberry glaze a day ahead and reheat gently before glazing the turkey.
  • If turkey skin browns too fast, tent with foil to avoid burning while continuing to cook the inside.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked turkey, avoiding dryness.
  • Fresh herbs provide the best flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted at half the quantity.
  • Leftover glaze can be used as a sauce or mixed into mashed potatoes for a festive twist.

Nutrition

Keywords: holiday turkey, cranberry glaze, citrus turkey, festive roast, Christmas turkey, Thanksgiving turkey, herb roasted turkey

Find it online: https://maicook.com/festive-citrus-cranberry-holiday-turkey-recipe/