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Easy Small-Batch Apple Cider Turkey Breast for Friendsgiving

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A juicy, tender bone-in turkey breast glazed with apple cider and honey, perfect for small gatherings like Friendsgiving. Ready in under two hours with minimal prep, this recipe delivers impressive flavor without the fuss of a whole turkey.

Ingredients

  • Bone-in turkey breast (3-4 pounds)
  • Apple cider (2 cups)
  • Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons, melted)
  • Honey (2 tablespoons)
  • Fresh thyme (4-5 sprigs)
  • Fresh rosemary (2 sprigs)
  • Garlic (4 cloves, smashed)
  • Salt (1 tablespoon kosher salt, or 2 teaspoons table salt)
  • Black pepper (1 teaspoon)
  • Onion (1 medium, quartered)
  • Apple (1 medium, quartered)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Position the rack in the lower third of the oven.
  2. Pat the turkey breast completely dry with paper towels.
  3. Season the turkey generously with salt and pepper. Let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
  4. In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups of apple cider, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 4 smashed garlic cloves. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low and cook for 5 minutes.
  5. Place the quartered onion and apple in the bottom of your roasting pan. Lay the fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs on top.
  6. Place the seasoned turkey breast directly on top of the aromatics (or on a cooling rack over them).
  7. Pour the cider mixture around the turkey, not over the skin.
  8. Roast for 45 minutes without opening the oven door.
  9. After 45 minutes, baste the turkey with the pan juices. Baste every 15 minutes for the remaining cooking time.
  10. After about 1 hour and 15 minutes total cooking time, start checking the internal temperature. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone. Target 160°F (71°C).
  11. Once the turkey reaches 160°F, remove from oven and transfer to a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and let rest for 15-20 minutes.
  12. While the turkey rests, pour the pan juices through a fine-mesh strainer into a small saucepan. Discard solids. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5-7 minutes until thickened into a syrupy glaze. Season with salt and pepper.
  13. Carve the turkey against the grain into 1/2-inch thick slices. Arrange on a platter, drizzle with the cider glaze, and serve.

Notes

For best results, pat the turkey dry thoroughly before seasoning. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. If the skin browns too quickly, tent with foil. Let the turkey rest before carving to retain juices. The glaze can be made dairy-free by substituting olive oil for butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider turkey, small batch turkey, Friendsgiving turkey, bone-in turkey breast, easy turkey recipe, holiday turkey, cider glazed turkey

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/easy-small-batch-apple-cider-turkey-breast-for-friendsgiving/