Cranberry Goat Cheese Turkey Breast (Printable)
Tender turkey breast rolled around goat cheese and cranberries, brushed with honey-Dijon glaze for a festive main.
# What You Need:
→ Turkey
01 - 1 large boneless, skinless turkey breast (approximately 2 lbs)
→ Filling
02 - 4 ounces goat cheese, softened
03 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
04 - 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
06 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
07 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
08 - Pinch of salt
→ For Assembly
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - Salt and pepper, to taste
11 - Cooking twine
→ Glaze
12 - 2 tablespoons honey
13 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
02 - Place the turkey breast on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice horizontally through the thickest part without cutting all the way through. Open it flat like a book. Place between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound to about 1/2 inch thickness using a meat mallet.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine softened goat cheese, chopped cranberries, walnuts, parsley, lemon zest, black pepper, and a pinch of salt until thoroughly mixed.
04 - Spread the filling evenly over the turkey breast, leaving a 1-inch border. Starting at the short end, roll the turkey breast tightly. Secure with cooking twine at 1-inch intervals.
05 - Rub the outside of the rolled turkey with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Position seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, and balsamic vinegar. Brush half of the glaze over the turkey roll.
07 - Roast in the oven for 35 minutes. Remove briefly to brush with the remaining glaze, then return to roast for an additional 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
08 - Let the turkey breast rest for 10 minutes. Remove twine, slice crosswise, and serve.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- This turkey breast is secretly easier than it looks, and no one ever guesses how simple the stuffed spiral is to create.
- The way goat cheese melts into cranberries turns classic turkey into pure decadence with a modern twist.
02 -
- If you don't tie the turkey tight enough, the filling will happily escape to the bottom of your pan.
- Brushing on extra glaze partway through makes the turkey glossy and caramelized rather than sticky or dry.
03 -
- Pounding the turkey evenly makes rolling seamless, avoiding thick undercooked spots.
- A quick skillet sear before roasting turns the crust golden and extra flavorful.