Perfect roasted turkey with sweet potatoes is the ultimate holiday or Sunday dinner centerpiece—flavorful, juicy turkey paired with caramelized sweet potatoes, all cooked in one pan for minimal cleanup and maximum taste. With fresh herbs, citrus, and a touch of balsamic-glazed cranberries, this cozy meal balances savory and sweet beautifully. It’s a wholesome, show-stopping dinner without the stress.
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving for four or simply craving a comforting roasted meal, this easy and elegant dish is sure to impress.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🦃 One pan, big flavor – Roast everything together for fewer dishes and better flavor infusion
- 🍠 Perfect balance of sweet and savory – Herby turkey + sweet potatoes + tart cranberries = magic
- 🧄 Fresh herbs and citrus zest – Elevate this beyond your average roasted dinner
- 🍷 Optional wine deglaze – Adds restaurant-level depth with ease
- 🎯 Foolproof and flexible – Great for both beginners and seasoned cooks
Ingredients
Herb Mixture:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 1½ tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Zest from 1 lemon
Turkey & Vegetables:
- 1 split bone-in, skin-on turkey breast (about 3 lbs)
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup white wine or low-sodium chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Cranberry Glaze:
- 1½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
📝 Substitute boneless turkey breast for quicker cook time, or use skin-on thighs for juicier dark meat.
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C)
Set a rack in the middle of your oven and preheat fully before roasting.
2. Prepare the herb rub
In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, rosemary, and thyme. Rub this mixture all over the turkey breast. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Sear the turkey
In a large, oven-safe skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Sear the turkey breast skin-side down for 4–5 minutes, until golden. Flip and sear the other side. Remove turkey and set aside.
4. Cook the sweet potatoes
In the same skillet, add the cubed sweet potatoes. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until lightly browned. Add wine (or broth) and lemon juice to deglaze, scraping up browned bits.
5. Add cranberries and turkey
Stir in cranberries, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar. Nestle the turkey breast back into the skillet, skin-side up.
6. Roast
Transfer the entire skillet to the oven. Roast uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the thickest part of the turkey registers 160°F. (It will rise to 165°F as it rests.)
7. Rest and serve
Remove from oven and let the turkey rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with roasted sweet potatoes and balsamic cranberries spooned over top.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 23 minutes
- Cook Time: 47 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Skill Level: Moderate
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 670
- Protein: 50g
- Fat: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Sugar: 16g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
🔍 Nutrition will vary depending on wine vs broth and how much glaze is spooned over per serving.
Tips & Variations
- 🍋 Brighten it up: Add orange zest or use orange juice instead of lemon for a citrus twist
- 🌿 Switch the herbs: Use sage or marjoram for a more traditional Thanksgiving profile
- 🍷 No wine? Use broth with a splash of apple cider vinegar for depth
- 🔄 Make it ahead: Sear turkey and prep ingredients up to 1 day ahead, then assemble and roast
- 🔥 Crispy skin tip: Broil the last 2 minutes if you want extra-crisp turkey skin
FAQs
Can I use boneless turkey breast?
Yes! Reduce cooking time by 10–15 minutes and monitor internal temp closely.
Can I make this with chicken instead of turkey?
Absolutely. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts work well—adjust roasting time accordingly.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Yes. Use 1 teaspoon dried rosemary and thyme each in place of the fresh herbs.
What sides go best with this?
Try it with garlic green beans, a simple arugula salad, or warm dinner rolls.
Roasted Turkey with Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
- – Oven-safe skillet or roasting pan
- – Cutting board
- – Meat thermometer
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- ### Herb Mixture
- – 2 tbsp olive oil
- – 1 tbsp chopped thyme
- – 1½ tbsp chopped rosemary
- – 2 garlic cloves minced
- – Zest from 1 lemon
- ### Turkey & Sweet Potatoes
- – 3 lb split turkey breast bone-in, skin-on
- – 2 sweet potatoes cubed
- – ½ tsp kosher salt
- – ¼ tsp black pepper
- – 2 tbsp butter
- – 1 cup white wine or chicken broth
- – Juice of 1 lemon
- – 2 tbsp olive oil
- ### Cranberry Glaze
- – 1½ cups cranberries
- – 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- – 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Mix herb rub and coat turkey; season with salt and pepper.
- Sear turkey in butter until golden on both sides. Remove.
- Sauté sweet potatoes 4–5 min. Deglaze with wine and lemon juice.
- Add cranberries, brown sugar, balsamic. Stir.
- Nestle turkey back in. Roast 30–35 min or until turkey hits 160°F.
- Rest 10 min before slicing. Serve with sweet potatoes and glaze.
Notes
– Make-ahead: prep and assemble, roast when ready
– Broil at the end for crispy skin
Conclusion
This perfect roasted turkey with sweet potatoes is a delicious, all-in-one meal that’s worthy of your holiday table—or just a special Sunday night. With minimal cleanup and restaurant-worthy flavor, it’s a reliable go-to for impressive, stress-free dinners. Add it to your favorites, because this one’s a keeper.