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Celebrate your gathering with this Orange Bourbon Turkey Breast, a fantastic addition to any table. This easy recipe is packed with flavor and features key ingredients like bourbon, fresh oranges and juice, and molasses. This mixture acts as both a brine and a poaching liquid as the turkey roasts in an oven bag. Enjoy turkey perfection without the stress of oven overload—ideal for both holiday festivities and everyday meals!
It’s the age-old dilemma of holiday entertaining: how to roast a turkey without sacrificing precious oven space. Enter the Orange Bourbon Turkey Breast—a splendidly easy recipe that not only frees up room for all those other delectable dishes but also serves up flavor and flair like no other! With just a few simple ingredients—fully cooked turkey breast, zesty oranges, molasses, and a splash of bourbon—you’ll have a roasted turkey that’s both elegant and downright scrumptious.
Imagine slicing into a juicy, oven-roasted breast, only to drizzle it with a glossy, sweet-savory sauce made from the drippings. It’s the perfect solution for the divided dinner table, where half your guests crave the deep-fried turkey that your hubby is perfecting in the backyard, while the other half opts for a healthy and upscale. So, gather ’round, make your holiday presentation pop with fresh herbs and vibrant orange slices, and let this turkey breast recipe steal the show!
If you are holiday entertaining maven who, like so many of us, faces “oven space shortage,” then preparing and elevating a fully cooked whole turkey breast is a remarkable option over a whole turkey!
Table of Contents
- Here’s Why This Turkey Breast Will Be Your New Favorite
- Here Are the Flavors You’ll Taste in This Turkey Breast
- You Need the Following
- Start by Preparing the Turkey
- Beer, Wine, and Cocktail Pairing
- Storing Leftover Turkey
- Reheating Leftover Turkey
- Thanksgiving Leftovers and Tasty Ways to Use ’em!
- Orange Bourbon Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe
Here’s Why This Turkey Breast Will Be Your New Favorite
- Distinctive Flavor Profile – The combination of bourbon and fresh orange juice provides a beautiful sweet and savory taste, making this turkey truly stand out from more traditional recipes.
- Delicious Leftovers – The flavor of this turkey makes for a great Thanksgiving Sandwich the next day, ensuring that your leftovers are just as enjoyable as the first serving.
- Juicy and Tender – Cooking in an oven bag helps retain moisture, resulting in a tender turkey that is juicy and satisfying.
- Eye-Catching Presentation – Adding garnishes like fresh herbs and orange slices not only enhances the flavor but also elevates the visual appeal of your meal.
- Great for Pairing with Drinks – The bourbon infusion pairs beautifully with bourbon-based cocktails like an Apricot Bourbon Fizz or lighter wines, making it an ideal choice for entertaining.
Here Are the Flavors You’ll Taste in This Turkey Breast
- Fresh orange zest and juice
- Oak, caramel, and vanilla notes from the bourbon
- Smoke and toffee notes from the caramelized molasses
You Need the Following
- Turkey Breast – Look for a boneless 5 1/2-to-6-pound fully cooked turkey breast. I use an oven-browned whole breast that I pick up at my big box store for this recipe. See recipe card notes for using a 5 1/2-to-6-pound uncooked fresh breast or an uncooked fresh bone-in turkey breast.
- Oven-safe Roasting Bag
- Fresh Orange Juice and Oranges
- Bourbon – A quality bourbon enhances the flavor profile—choose your favorite!
- Molasses
- Kosher Salt
- All-Purpose Flour
- Unsalted Butter
- Optional – Fresh orange slices, and fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and sage for garnish.
Start by Preparing the Turkey
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Set up a workstation with a roasting pan or broiler pan and an oven bag. Thoroughly scrub the oranges. Squeeze enough oranges to equal 2 cups of fresh juice and pulp. Zest 2 or more tablespoons from another orange before peeling it. Remove as much of the white pith as you can then rough chop. Set all aside.
In a large bowl, combine the orange juice with 1/2 cup of bourbon, and 1/2 cup of molasses. Whisk to combine, then add 1 cup of water and the chopped orange which will infuse concentrated citrus notes into the meat during cooking. This flavorful mixture will not only season the turkey but also create a thick and luscious sauce in the end.
Remove the turkey breast from the packaging and set atop paper towels. Pat dry and sprinkle 3/4 teaspoon of salt over the surface. Place the turkey breast inside the oven bag, ensuring it fits comfortably.
Move the bag with the turkey into your roasting pan. Do NOT use a rack. Pour the marinade into the bag and seal or tie off the bag according to the instructions the bag comes with.
Bake for approximately 1 hour or until the thickest part of the breast reaches an internal temperature of 140°F as measured with a meat thermometer.
Leave enough space for the bag to expand during cooking, ensuring it doesn’t touch the oven’s heating elements, walls, or racks.
Once cooked, use my tip below to pour the juices and drippings from the oven bag into a saucepan by creating a controlled “spout” before ever opening the oven bag. Once the liquids have been poured off, carefully unseal the bag and take out the turkey. Cover it with aluminum foil. Let it rest for at least 20 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
Place the saucepan on a burner. Bring the juices and drippings to a boil. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the liquid is reduced to about 3 cups. This takes anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup of bourbon with 3 tablespoons of flour. Stir with a whisk until smooth. Gradually add this mixture to the reduced marinade, bringing it back to a boil while stirring. Do this constantly for about 1 minute. Use an immersion blender to blend large pieces of orange segment creating a smooth sauce. Remove from the heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter creating a glossy appearance. Reserve 1/4 cup of the sauce. Transfer remaining sauce to a gravy boat to serve alongside the turkey. Keep warm.
To safely transfer hot liquid from an oven bag, cut a small corner slit in the rear of the sealed bag to create a controlled spout. Use oven mitts and grab the bag from the top. The bag will be heavy with both turkey and liquid but the weight of the contents in the bottom will allow you to pour slowly and reduce splashing. Make sure to hold the bag steady to prevent any spills as you pour.
Baste the turkey with the reserved orange bourbon sauce coating the entire surface. Sprinkle with the zest. Slice the turkey and arrange it on a serving platter. Garnish with fresh orange slices and fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage.
Beer, Wine, and Cocktail Pairing
For a perfect pairing, serve this roasted turkey breast with a light, crisp white wine. Sauvignon Blanc or a fruity red such as Pinot Noir work well. If you’re in the mood for cocktails, try a classic bourbon sour. An orange bourbon mule will also complement the flavors beautifully! If beer is more your taste, this turkey is amazing with a cold German Hefeweizen wheat beer.
Storing Leftover Turkey
When it comes to turkey leftovers, proper storage and reheating techniques can make all the difference in maintaining flavor and moisture. For optimal storage, allow the turkey to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container or freezer safe bags. Store turkey leftovers in the fridge for up to three to four days or in the freezer for two to three months. Leftover orange bourbon sauce may be stored refrigerated for three to four days or frozen separately in an airtight container for up to three months.
Reheating Leftover Turkey
- Oven Method – Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Let the turkey sit at room temperature for 10-30 minutes. Place it in a baking dish, splash some broth over it, cover with aluminum foil, and heat for about 20-30 minutes.
- Microwave – If you’re short on time, slice the turkey and place it in a microwave-safe dish with a bit of broth. Cover it and microwave at medium power for 1 minute or until you’ve reached desired doneness.
- Stovetop – Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced turkey and a couple splashes of broth and warm for about 3 to 5 minutes or until heated through.
- To Reheat Orange Bourbon Sauce spoon into a small saucepan and gently reheat over medium low for 5 to 7 minutes until heated through.
Thanksgiving Leftovers and Tasty Ways to Use ’em!
Orange Bourbon Roasted Turkey Breast
Equipment
- 1 large oven bag For meats and poultry up to 8 lbs.
Ingredients
- 5 1/2 to 6 pound turkey breast, fully cooked, oven browned, boneless breast
- 2 cups orange juice, 4 to 6 medium-sized, squeezed
- 1 medium orange, 2 tablespoons zested and set aside, the orange then peeled and coarsely chopped
- 3/4 cup bourbon, divided
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Set up a workstation with a roasting pan or broiler pan and an oven bag. Thoroughly scrub the oranges. Squeeze enough oranges to equal 2 cups of fresh juice and pulp. Zest 2 or more tablespoons from another orange before peeling it. Remove as much of the white pith as you can then rough chop. Set all aside.2 cups orange juice, 1 medium orange
- In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of orange juice, 1/2 cup of bourbon, and 1/2 cup of molasses. Whisk to combine, then add 1 cup of water and the chopped orange.3/4 cup bourbon, 1/2 cup molasses, 1 cup water
- Remove the turkey breast from the packaging and set atop paper towels. Pat dry and sprinkle 3/4 teaspoon of salt over the surface. Place the turkey breast inside the oven bag, ensuring it fits comfortably. Move the bag with the turkey into your roasting pan. Pour the marinade into the bag and seal or tie off the bag according to the instructions the bag comes with. NOTE – Optional but I toss a few sprigs of fresh thyme in with the turkey and marinade.5 1/2 to 6 pound turkey breast, 3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- Roast for approximately 1 hour or until the thickest part of the breast reaches an internal temperature of 140°F as measured with a meat thermometer. NOTE – Leave enough space for the bag to expand during cooking, ensuring it doesn’t touch the oven’s heating elements, walls, or racks.
- Remove from the oven and let stand 5 minutes. Cut a short slit in the rear of the bag. Using oven mitts, grab the top of the bag allowing the contents to settle at the bottom. CAREFULLY pour the liquids and drippings into a saucepan using the slit as a spout. Return the bag to the roasting pan. Open it to remove the turkey to a cutting board and tent with foil for 20 minutes.
- While the turkey is resting, place the saucepan with the orange bourbon liquids atop a medium high burner and bring to a boil. Skim off any foam that accumulates. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the liquid is reduced to about 3 cups, from 15 to 25 minutes.
- Whisk remaining 1/4 cup of bourbon with 3 tablespoons of flour until smooth. Add mixture to fully reduced marinade, bringing it back to a boil while constantly whisking, 1 minute. Use an immersion blender to any large pieces of orange segment for a smooth sauce. Whisk in 3 tablespoons unsalted butter. Reserve 1/4 cup of the sauce and transfer remainder to a gravy boat. Keep warm.3/4 cup bourbon, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Baste the turkey with the reserved orange bourbon sauce being sure to coat the entire surface followed by the zest. Slice the turkey and arrange on a serving platter. Garnish with fresh herbs and orange slices.
Notes
- Oven – Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Let the turkey sit at room temperature for 10-30 minutes. Place slices in a baking dish with broth, cover with aluminum foil, and heat 20-30 minutes.
- Microwave – Place slices in a microwave-safe dish with broth. Cover and microwave on medium power 1 minute or until heated through.
- Stovetop – Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add slices and a couple splashes of broth and warm 3 to 5 minutes or until heated through.
- To Reheat Orange Bourbon Sauce – spoon into a small saucepan and gently reheat over medium low 5 to 7 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Sounds absolutely delicious, Jenny! This may actually end up being our Thanksgiving turkey! Looks like we may not have a full house this year (sad face). Will let you know how it goes! Hope you are looking forward to a good one and your mom and dad are doing well.
Nikki! I’m feverishly deciding on recipes for Thanksgiving despite also not having a full house this year (double sad face), so no more than fourteen, Mom and Dad included. And you know me – I have three recipes for every single dish – there’s just not enough time or mouths this year! I will serve this orange bourbon turkey in addition to a large smoked turkey I’m placing into my Weber smoker the day before. So, smoked turkey with Alabama white sauce and orange bourbon turkey breast with the reduction sauce. Good thing I have three refrigerators! xo – Jenny 🙂