When it comes to classic Thanksgiving dishes, turkey braised with cranberries is a staple that can never be missed. This delectable dish combines the savory flavors of roasted turkey with the tangy sweetness of tart cranberries, creating a harmonious blend that delights the palate. The tender turkey meat, infused with aromatic herbs and spices, melts in your mouth, while the plump cranberries burst with a burst of tangy flavor. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this article will provide you with the ultimate guide to creating a perfect turkey braised with cranberries that will be the star of your Thanksgiving feast.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
TURKEY BRAISED WITH CRANBERRIES
Those who believe the best part of the Thanksgiving turkey is the day-after sandwiches with leftover cranberry sauce will welcome this recipe. It teams the relatively unappreciated drumsticks with the rarely used fresh cranberries to produce a dish of uncommon complexity.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories dinner, main course
Time 2h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Combine tablespoon of butter with oil in deep skillet or casserole large enough for turkey legs to fit comfortably. Turn heat to medium high; after a minute add garlic and thyme. Cook for a minute, add turkey legs. Brown on both sides (they will brown unevenly, because of their shape), sprinkling with salt and pepper, and stirring garlic so it does not burn. Remove turkey.
- Add onion, mushrooms, sugar, pinch of salt, and some pepper, and cook; stir occasionally, and adjust heat so vegetables do not burn. When very soft, add 1 cup liquid, half the zest, and cranberries. Bring to boil, return turkey to pan; cover and adjust the heat for a steady simmer.
- Cook about 2 hours, checking every 30 minutes and adding more liquid if necessary, until meat is very tender. Taste sauce, and add more salt, pepper, and sugar if necessary. Remove meat; if sauce is soupy, raise heat and reduce a little; stir in remaining butter. Carve meat as neatly as you can; serve on a bed of sauce, garnish with remaining orange zest.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 668, UnsaturatedFat 19 grams, Carbohydrate 42 grams, Fat 32 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 57 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 1373 milligrams, Sugar 24 grams, TransFat 0 grams
CRANBERRY GLAZED TURKEY
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Remove giblets and neck from turkey and rinse inside and out with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels; set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine softened butter, 1 tablespoon fine herbs, crushed garlic, 2 tablespoons marmalade and onion flakes. Use a fork to mix together until well combined.
- In a small bowl combine poultry seasoning, 1 tablespoon fine herbs, salt and pepper.
- Use your hand to carefully loosen the skin around the entire bird. Work half of the butter mixture under the skin of the entire turkey. Rub the remaining butter on the outside of the skin and season with the poultry seasoning mixture inside and out. Stuff the inside of the turkey cavity with oranges and leeks. (Truss if desired.) Add any leftover oranges and leeks to a shallow roasting pan; pour in broth and set aside. Insert a pop-up thermometer at an angle about 3-inches down from the neck cavity and 2-inches from the breastbone, in the thickest part of the breast. Place turkey breast side up on a rack over the vegetables in the roasting pan. Place in oven and reduce temperature to 325 degrees F.
- Combine orange juice, remaining marmalade, jellied cranberries, and remaining fine herbs in a small saucepan and simmer until jelly melts. Continue simmering until mixture thickens, about 15 minutes; keep warm.
- After the turkey has cooked for 2 hours brush on the glaze mixture. When the thermometer pops up or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 180 degrees F, about 3 hours total.
- Remove from oven and let turkey rest 15 minutes before carving.
TURKEY THIGHS WITH PICKLED CRANBERRIES AND ONIONS FOR TWO
Roasted turkey thighs are quicker, easier and more adaptable than a whole bird, and just as satisfying with their crisp, bronzed skin and tender meat. You can scale this recipe to feed as many as you're serving, or if you want to make extra for leftovers. Simply double, triple or even quadruple it, spreading out the thighs on your largest sheet pan. Or you can halve it to feed one. The quick-pickled onions and cranberries are a tangy contrast to the richness of the meat, and, with their fuchsia hue, a welcome bit of color on the plate.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories poultry, main course
Time 3h
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Finely grate 1/2 teaspoon zest from the lemon and put it in a small bowl with the garlic and thyme. Halve the lemon and squeeze 1 tablespoon of the juice into the bowl. Mix everything into a paste.
- Pat the turkey thighs dry and season with salt and pepper. Smear turkey with the paste and place thighs on a plate. Refrigerate, uncovered, so the skin can dry out, for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days.
- Meanwhile, squeeze the remaining juice from the lemon halves into a medium bowl. Add the onion, cranberries, lime juice, sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt, tossing well. Let the mixture sit at room temperature, tossing occasionally, until the onions wilt and turn pink, 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate until serving. (These can be made up to 3 days in advance.)
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Put turkey thighs on a baking pan and dot with butter. Roast the thighs for 40 to 50 minutes, until the skin is crisp, the meat is cooked through and the juices run clear. (No need to rest here.)
- Serve turkey with a little of the cranberries and pickles on top, with herbs scattered over everything.
CRANBERRY TURKEY BREAST WITH GRAVY
This is wonderful served for a main holiday meal, because it's so convenient. The turkey turns out tender and moist. You can use extra slow cookers to prepare side dishes such as homemade stuffing.-Shirley Welch, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 5h15m
Yield 12 servings (3 cups gravy).
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place turkey in a 5-qt. slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the cranberry sauce, orange juice, onion soup mix, salt and pepper; pour over turkey. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until tender., Remove turkey to a serving platter; keep warm. Skim fat from cooking juices; transfer to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth. Gradually stir into the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with turkey.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 318 calories, Fat 10g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 102mg cholesterol, Sodium 346mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 40g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
BAKED TURKEY AND CRANBERRY SLIDERS
These are a take on the popular baked ham and Swiss sliders with a holiday twist. They also taste great with leftover roasted turkey and French fried onions.
Provided by Ana Maria
Categories Main Dish Recipes Sandwich Recipes Turkey
Time 40m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray.
- Whisk melted butter with Dijon mustard, dried onion, and Worcestershire in a small bowl.
- Place the bottom halves of the rolls into the prepared pan. Spread mayonnaise and additional Dijon mustard to taste along the rolls. Spread cranberry sauce. Add turkey and 1/2 slice of cheese to each. Top with arugula and top halves of the rolls. Spread melted butter mixture evenly over tops. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, uncover, and continue to bake until cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 434 calories, Carbohydrate 49.2 g, Cholesterol 82.7 mg, Fat 11.3 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 22.7 g, SaturatedFat 10.4 g, Sodium 438.8 mg, Sugar 6.4 g
CRANBERRY AND TURKEY SALAD
This is great on a croissant, in a pita pocket, or on bread. It's a great use for leftover turkey.
Provided by Jodi
Categories Salad
Time 10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Mix turkey, cranberries, almonds, celery, and mayonnaise in a bowl until well blended.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 347.2 calories, Carbohydrate 15.4 g, Cholesterol 82.4 mg, Fat 16.7 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 33.4 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 128.7 mg, Sugar 10.4 g
CRANBERRY-ORANGE ROASTED TURKEY
You'll have an elegant centerpiece to your meal with this tender, juicy turkey. The cranberry makes it so good. It has such a wonderful aroma and flavor. -Kara de la Vega, Santa Rosa, California
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 4h
Yield 14 servings (3-1/2 cups sauce).
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325°. Combine garlic powder, salt and pepper. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from turkey breast; spread half of the seasoning mixture under the skin. Sprinkle skin with remaining mixture. Tuck wings under turkey; tie drumsticks together., Juice the orange, reserving the rind. In a large bowl, mix cranberry sauce, teriyaki sauce, honey, marmalade, soy sauce and orange juice. Remove 3-1/2 cups mixture for sauce; refrigerate, covered, until serving., Rub remaining cranberry mixture under turkey skin. Secure skin to underside of breast with toothpicks. Place herb sprigs and reserved orange rind in turkey cavity., Arrange onions in a shallow roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Place turkey over onions. Roast 3 to 3-1/2 hours or until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°. (Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.), Remove turkey from oven; tent with foil. Let stand 20 minutes before carving. Discard herb sprigs and orange rind. Place reserved sauce in a small saucepan; heat through. Serve with turkey.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 257 calories, Fat 6g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 86mg cholesterol, Sodium 308mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 34g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
TURKEY WITH CRANBERRY BRINE
I love brining my turkey during the holidays. In my opinion, turkey always tastes best with a dab of cranberry sauce on it, so I decided to to include that wonderful taste in a brine. The results were better then I had hoped for. This recipe includes the brine, turkey preparation, and instructions for a simple gravy. Prep time is also the brine time.
Provided by Karen From Colorado
Categories Poultry
Time P1DT3h
Yield 35 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- 24 hours in advance, wash the turkey and remove the neck and giblets from the cavity and neck; reserve for broth.
- Mix together in a large pot 1 of the onions, 2 stalks celery, 2 carrots, 6 garlic cloves, peppercorns, 3 sprigs each of the rosemary, thyme and sage, 6 sprigs of the parsley, kosher salt and the cranberry juice; heat and stir until the salt dissolves and mixture begins to simmer; remove and let cool to room temperature.
- Place turkey in a very large pot or turkey bucket and pour brine over to submerge, adding cold water if needed; refrigerate 24 hours.
- Remove turkey from brine and rinse well; dry with paper towels. (It will be a lovely shade of pink but don't worry, it roasts a beautiful mahogany color).
- Season turkey cavity with salt and pepper.
- Place 2 stalks chopped celery, 2 chopped carrots, apple, orange, cranberries, and 4 garlic cloves inside cavity.
- Make a nest of 1 med chopped onion, 1 chopped celery stalk, 1 chopped carrot, 4 crushed garlic cloves, 3 sprigs each rosemary, thyme and sage, 6 sprigs parsley and 3 bay leaves in a large roasting pan.
- Place turkey on top of the vegetables and herbs.
- Put butter pats on the turkey or between the skin and breast meat.
- Roast in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 45 minutes.
- While turkey roasts the first 45 minutes, prepare a broth by placing the giblets in 5 cups of water; simmer to create turkey stock adding more water as needed; remove giblets. (You can chop the giblets and remove the meat from the neck and add it to your stuffing or discard it if you don't wish to use it. You can skip the turkey stock step and use canned chicken stock if desired. You will need 5 cups).
- After the first 45 minutes of roast time, pour half of the stock over the turkey; roast another 45 minutes and pour the remaining stock over the turkey.
- Continue to roast your turkey; basting with the juices from the bottom of the pan until the turkey has reached an internal temperature of 165 to 175°F (74 to 80°C).
- Remove from the oven and tent with foil; allow to rest for 10 or 15 minutes before carving.
- Strain and use the liquid in the bottom of your roasting pan to make gravy and to moisten your stuffing if desired.
- Simple gravy:.
- Discard herbs from the bottom of the roasting pan and measure out 1 cup of the vegetables and 3 cups of the juices; puree in a blender. To thicken, add more vegetables, to thin, add more pan juice. Pour through a mesh strainer to make a smooth gravy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 401.7, Fat 19.4, SaturatedFat 6.4, Cholesterol 148.1, Sodium 3399.6, Carbohydrate 11.5, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 8.6, Protein 42.7
TURKEY-BREAST ROULADE & BRAISED LEGS
This time-saving turkey recipe saves room in the oven for sides. First you pound the breast, then roll it with stuffing and roast it while the legs braise alongside it-like magic, both are done in just an hour. The white meat stays moist, and you get stuffing in each bite. And because onion serves as a roasting rack for the breast while the dark meat cooks partly submerged in broth, the pan juices make for an extra-flavorful gravy. No need to strain it-spend that time raising a toast instead.
Provided by Greg Lofts
Categories Turkey Recipes
Time 1h30m
Yield Serves to 10 to 12
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Place turkey breast, skin-side down, on a cutting board. Slice through the thickest part horizontally, creating a flap, and open it like a book. Cover with plastic wrap. With a mallet, pound to an even thickness (about 3/4 inch). Remove plastic and season with salt and pepper. Spread stuffing evenly over top, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Working from the short side without skin, roll the breast up tightly into a log, enclosing stuffing. Turn seam-side down and pull the skin down to envelop roulade as much as possible. Tie with kitchen twine at 2-inch intervals to secure. Rub 2 tablespoons butter over skin; season with salt and pepper.
- Arrange onion rounds in a single layer on one side of a roasting pan. Place roulade, skin-side up, atop onions. Rub 1 tablespoon butter over each leg, season, and place on other side of pan. Scatter thyme over turkey and pour 1 cup stock into pan.
- Roast turkey (adding more stock to pan if bottom becomes dry, 1/2 cup at a time) until a thermometer inserted in center of roulade registers 160°F, about 1 hour. Transfer roulade and legs to a carving board, loosely covering with foil to keep warm; remove and discard onion.
- Place pan on stove top over medium-high heat; add 2 1/2 cups stock. Bring to a boil, scraping any browned bits from bottom of pan. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and remaining 1/2 cup stock, then gradually whisk into pan. Continue boiling until thickened slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Add more lemon juice, if desired, 1 teaspoon at a time, and season to taste. Remove twine from roulade and slice into rounds. Arrange on a platter with legs and garnishes and serve with gravy.
HERB ROASTED TURKEY WITH CRANBERRY GRAVY
Enjoy this herb roasted turkey basted with Progresso® chicken broth for your holiday dinner. Cranberry-sage gravy provides a special, tasty new twist your guests will love.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 2h45m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375°F. Wash turkey, inside and out and dry well. Coat inside and out with oil. Season turkey on the outside with salt and pepper, pressing it in to adhere. Place 2 rosemary sprigs, 1 thyme sprig, 1 sage sprig, 1 oregano sprig and the lemon halves in turkey cavity. In bottom of large roasting pan, place a cooling or roasting rack. Place seasoned turkey on rack and arrange carrots, celery and the remaining herbs on the bottom of the pan around turkey. Pour 1 carton broth and 4 cups water over vegetables and herbs.
- Roast uncovered 2 to 2 1/2 hours, basting with pan broth every 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer (inserted deep into the thigh but away from the bone) reads at least 165°F. Remove turkey from pan and allow to rest 15 minutes before carving. Strain and reserve pan juices; discard vegetables.
- Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat cranberries, 1 cup water and the sugar to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until cranberries are tender; cool about 5 minutes. In blender, puree cranberries with 2 teaspoons sage until smooth; set aside.
- While turkey is resting, make cranberry gravy. In 3-quart heavy saucepan, cook flour and butter over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, just until a blond roux forms. Add reserved pan juices, 1 carton broth and the pureed cranberries; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened and ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 630, Carbohydrate 29 g, Cholesterol 250 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 2 g, Protein 70 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1040 mg, Sugar 20 g, TransFat 1/2 g
Tips:
- Use a variety of cranberries. Fresh, frozen, and dried cranberries can all be used in this recipe. If using frozen cranberries, thaw them before using. If using dried cranberries, soak them in warm water for 15 minutes before using.
- Brown the turkey pieces well. This will help to develop flavor and color.
- Use a good quality red wine. A dry red wine, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, will add depth of flavor to the dish.
- Simmer the turkey pieces for at least 1 hour. This will help to tenderize the meat.
- Serve the turkey with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and a side of cranberry sauce.
Conclusion:
Turkey braised with cranberries is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The combination of sweet and savory flavors is sure to please everyone at the table. Serve this dish with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a side of cranberry sauce, and enjoy!
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