Holiday Five-Spice Glazed Turkey Breast Delight
A festive and flavorful turkey breast, perfect for a healthy holiday meal. This recipe features a delicious five-spice glaze and optional homemade gravy.
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Meat Thermometer
- Fine Mesh Sieve
Ingredients
- 1 pound Boneless, Skin-On Turkey Breast 2 to 2.5 pounds
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil divided
- 1 tbsp Salt
- 0.5 tbsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1.5 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 3 cloves Garlic crushed
- 1 tbsp Ginger thinly sliced
- 5 Bay Leaves
- 2 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
- 1 cup Water or enough to cover about ⅓ of the turkey
For the Asian Five-Spice Seasoning
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
- 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
- 1 tsp Yellow Curry Powder
- 1 tsp Sichuan Peppercorns
- 4 Star Anise
For the Gravy (optional)
- 0.5 cup Water
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch or All-Purpose Flour
Instructions
- 1. Prepare Your Turkey: Gently pat your turkey breast completely dry with paper towels – this helps achieve that crispy skin! In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Generously rub this savory seasoning mixture all over the turkey breast. Let it rest on a clean plate for at least 15 minutes to really soak up those flavors.
- 2. Sear for Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to a festive 425°F (220°C). Now, heat a cast-iron skillet on your stovetop over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until it's sizzling hot. Carefully place the turkey breast, skin-side down, into the hot skillet and sear for about 5 minutes until the skin turns a beautiful golden brown and becomes wonderfully crispy. Flip it over and sear the other side for another 5 minutes, then set the turkey aside on a plate. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the brown sugar to the skillet, cooking for just 1 minute until the sugar dissolves into a sweet glaze. Return the turkey to the skillet, skin-side down, and cook for another 3 minutes. This step creates an irresistible dark brown, caramelized skin.
- 3. Braise with Holiday Spices: Flip the turkey so the skin is facing up. Add the crushed garlic, sliced ginger, bay leaves, and all the five-spice seasoning ingredients to the skillet. Stir gently and cook for about 2 minutes until you smell their lovely fragrance. Pour in the dark soy sauce and 1 cup of water; the liquid should cover about a third of the turkey's thickness. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer. Carefully transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C). For extra flavor, spoon some of the pan juices over the turkey every 10 minutes. Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest on a plate for 15 minutes before slicing – resting ensures a super juicy turkey!
- 4. Make Simple Holiday Gravy (Optional): If you'd like a quick, flavorful gravy, strain the liquid left in the skillet through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solid spices. Return the strained liquid to the skillet and heat over medium heat. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup of water and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch (or flour) until smooth. Pour this mixture into the simmering pan liquid, stirring constantly until it thickens into a smooth gravy, about 1 minute. Let it cool for 10 minutes. Slice your beautifully braised turkey breast and spoon the warm gravy over each serving. Enjoy with your favorite healthy holiday sides like roasted vegetables or light mashed potatoes!
Notes
Enjoy with your favorite healthy holiday sides like roasted vegetables or light mashed potatoes!
Nutrition Information:
- Calories: 480
- Total Carbs: 12g
- Net Carbs: 10g
- Fats: 20g
- Protein: 60g
