Apple Cider Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe
This Apple Cider Glazed Turkey Breast recipe features a succulent turkey breast bathed in a sweet and tangy apple cider glaze infused with brown sugar, cinnamon, and Dijon mustard. The turkey is first seared to a golden brown finish on the stovetop before being oven-roasted to juicy perfection while basted in the flavorful glaze. Perfectly balanced between savory and subtly sweet, this dish brings autumnal warmth and festive flavors to your dinner table.
- Author: lea
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Turkey
- Turkey breast (3-4 lbs)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 tbsp butter, divided
Apple Cider Glaze
- Apple cider (2 cups, divided)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Optional: whole cloves
- Preheat Oven and Season Turkey: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels and season it generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor and promote browning.
- Sear the Turkey Breast: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted and hot, sear the turkey breast on all sides until it develops a golden brown crust. This step locks in juices and adds depth of flavor.
- Prepare for Roasting: Transfer the seared turkey breast to a roasting pan. Pour 1 cup of apple cider around the turkey to keep it moist and infuse subtle sweetness during the roasting process.
- Make the Apple Cider Glaze: In a saucepan, combine the remaining 1 cup of apple cider with brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, cinnamon, and optional cloves. Simmer this mixture over medium heat until it thickens into a glossy glaze, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Glaze and Roast the Turkey: Brush a generous layer of the glaze over the turkey breast. Roast in the preheated oven, basting with additional glaze every 15 minutes. Continue roasting until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), about 1.5 to 2 hours, ensuring the turkey is cooked through and infused with sweet, spicy flavors.
- Rest Before Carving: Remove the turkey from the oven and tent loosely with foil. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in tender, moist slices when carved.
Notes
- Searing the turkey breast before roasting helps to lock in juices and adds a beautiful golden color to the meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- You can add whole cloves to the glaze for a warmer, spiced flavor, but they are optional.
- Resting the turkey after roasting is essential to keep the meat moist and easy to carve.
- Leftover glaze can be served as a sauce on the side or drizzled over slices when serving.
Keywords: turkey breast, apple cider glaze, roasted turkey, autumn recipes, holiday turkey, sweet and savory turkey