Maple Bourbon Glazed Turkey Breast
Need a turkey recipe that’s easy, flavorful, and just right for a smaller gathering? This Maple Bourbon Glazed Turkey Breast is the ultimate cozy fall dish. Think sweet maple syrup, a hint of bourbon, and an herby, buttery glaze—basically, all the best parts of Thanksgiving in one dish.
Small Feast, Big Flavor
Today, we’re jazzing up your Thanksgiving or fall dinner party with a roasted boneless turkey breast recipe that’s as easy to make as it is to love.
This maple bourbon glazed turkey breast recipe is perfect for smaller gatherings, offering all the rich, savory flavors of a traditional turkey with a sweet and smoky twist that feels just a little bit extra.
The maple bourbon glaze is the real star here—maple syrup and bourbon come together to make something sweet and rich, while the fresh herbs and a warm spices keep everything balanced.
It’s the kind of meal that feels fancy without being fussy, perfect for those intimate, low-key gatherings where you still want to bring your A-game. Bonus: it’s super simple to make and looks beautiful on the table!
Complete the Menu: serve this maple bourbon glazed turkey breast with truffle mashed potatoes, hot honey roasted carrots, and cranberry tartlets for a special holiday treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Looking for more simple yet elegant dinner ideas? Be sure to try our chicken and potatoes with cider cream sauce, lavender herb butter roasted chicken, pork tenderloin with balsamic strawberry sauce, and our classic roasted boneless turkey breast with gravy.
Don’t forget to pin this for later
Key Ingredients
Boneless Turkey Breast: A boneless turkey breast is perfect for smaller gatherings. It cooks faster than a whole turkey and retains its juiciness when paired with the rich maple bourbon glaze. Make sure to pat it dry before seasoning to help achieve a crispy skin. You can substitute with bone-in turkey breast or even chicken breasts if you prefer a smaller portion.
Fresh Thyme, Rosemary, and Sage: These fresh herbs bring a vibrant, earthy aroma that really enhances the flavor of the turkey. Thyme adds a subtle lemony note, rosemary brings a woodsy fragrance, and sage provides a savory, slightly peppery flavor. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use dried (1/2 of the amount), but fresh is recommended for the best flavor.
Maple Syrup: Opt for pure maple syrup for the best flavor—its natural sweetness balances the bourbon and savory herbs. Avoid pancake syrups, which often contain additives and won’t provide the same depth of flavor. You can substitute with honey or agave syrup, but it may alter the flavor slightly.
Bourbon: Adds a smoky, caramel-like richness to the glaze. As the alcohol cooks off, you’re left with a mellow warmth that complements the sweetness of the maple syrup. If you prefer to leave out the alcohol, you can substitute with apple cider for a different but still delicious flavor.
Brown Sugar: Deepens the sweetness and helps create that sticky, caramelized glaze on the turkey. The molasses in the sugar adds a rich, slightly smoky flavor that enhances the glaze.
Ground Ginger: The warm, slightly spicy kick of ground ginger adds complexity to the glaze. It pairs well with the maple syrup and bourbon, balancing the sweetness with a hint of heat.
Each of these ingredients works together to create a well-balanced, flavorful glaze that enhances the natural flavor of the turkey. And they bring out the best in this dish, making it both simple and sophisticated!
*Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
Recipe Roadmap with Images
1
Prep the Turkey
Preheat to 325°F (165°C). Mix butter, brown sugar, thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Pat turkey dry and rub the mix under and over the skin.
2
Make the Glaze
Melt butter, add maple syrup, brown sugar, and simmer. Stir in bourbon, vinegar, ginger, and spices. Simmer for 5 minutes to thicken.
3
Roast the Turkey
Roast for 60-75 mins at 165°F (74°C), basting with glaze every 10 mins after 30 mins. Add broth if drippings burn.
4
Rest & Garnish
Let rest 10-15 mins. Drizzle extra glaze or serve on the side. Garnish with thyme, bay leaves, and grapes for a fresh pop of color!
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating in the comments below and let us know how it turned out. Your feedback is important to us. Thank you for visiting Maplevine Kitchen!
Recipe Tips
- Get Under the Skin: For maximum flavor, rub the butter-herb mixture not just on top of the turkey, but under the skin. This helps keep the meat moist and infuses the flavors directly into the turkey.
- Start Basting Later: To prevent the glaze from burning, begin basting the turkey after about 30 minutes of roasting. This ensures the glaze caramelizes perfectly without over-browning.
- Tent with Foil: If the skin starts browning too quickly, tent the turkey breast with foil to protect it while the meat finishes cooking.
- Add Extra Moisture: If your roasting pan starts to dry out, add a splash of chicken broth or water to the bottom to keep the turkey moist and prevent drippings from burning.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Turkey breast can dry out easily if overcooked. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches exactly 165°F (74°C).
- Let It Rest: After removing from the oven, let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute and ensures a moist, flavorful bite with each slice.
- Thicken the Glaze: For a thicker glaze for drizzling, let it simmer a few minutes longer on the stovetop before basting. Or reduce it after the turkey has roasted.
Favorite Sides for Serving
Elevate the sweet and smoky flavors of Maple Bourbon Glazed Turkey Breast with these perfectly paired side dishes. From comforting starches to bold, flavorful vegetables, these sides will take your meal to the next level and wow your guests.
Starchy Side Dishes
These hearty, comforting sides are ideal for soaking up the delicious glaze and bringing extra richness to the table:
- Truffle Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes infused with earthy truffle oil make a luxurious and indulgent pairing with the sweet maple bourbon glaze.
- Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Fall Spices: Roasted sweet potatoes tossed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and paprika create a crispy, caramelized side that echoes the fall flavors of the turkey.
- Sweet Potato Fondant with Maple and Thyme: These melt-in-your-mouth sweet potato rounds are slow-cooked in butter, maple syrup, and thyme, making them the ultimate complement to the turkey’s glaze.
Vegetable sides
These bold and flavorful veggie sides bring a sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy contrast to the turkey, balancing the richness of the glaze:
- Hot Honey Roasted Carrots: Spice-roasted carrots with a hot honey butter glaze offer a sweet and spicy kick that complements the smoky-sweet turkey glaze perfectly.
- Maple Sriracha Brussels Sprouts: Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts with a maple-sriracha glaze bring the perfect balance of heat and sweetness, adding a bold, flavorful edge to the meal.
- Roasted Golden Beets: Sweet, earthy roasted golden beets with a citrusy-finish and topped with crumbed goat cheese, provide a tangy-sweet side that pairs beautifully with the richness of the turkey.
FAQs
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
Enjoyed the recipe? Leave a 5 star rating and comment to let me know! It is super helpful to our readers.
Maple Bourbon Glazed Turkey Breast
Equipment
- roasting pan
- baster or basting brush
- meat thermometer
Ingredients
For the Turkey:
- 1 boneless turkey breast (2-3 pounds)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme finely chopped (1 t. dried)
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary finely chopped (½ t. dried)
- 1 teaspoon fresh sage finely chopped (¼ t. dried)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Glaze:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ⅓ cup bourbon
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For Garnish:
- fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaves
- red grapes
Instructions
Prep the Turkey
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, fresh thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Remove the turkey breast from its wrapping and any netting. Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels, then rub the butter mixture all over the turkey, getting under the skin for maximum flavor.
Roast the Turkey
- Place the buttered turkey breast in a roasting pan. Roast for 60-75 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Make the Glaze
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the maple syrup and brown sugar. Let the mixture simmer for a minute or two, allowing the sugar to dissolve completely.
- Carefully add the bourbon to the pan, stirring continuously.
- Add the apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, garlic and onion powder, and salt, whisking to incorporate.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer the glaze for 10-15 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes syrupy. Set aside about a ⅓ of the glaze for basting and the rest for drizzling.
Baste the Turkey
- After about 30 minutes of roasting, begin basting the meat with the glaze.
- Continue basting every 10 minutes until the turkey is fully cooked and the glaze has caramelized. *If the skin starts to brown too quickly, tent the turkey with foil. **If the drippings start to burn, add some chicken broth or water to just cover the bottom of the pan.
Rest and Garnish
- Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
- Drizzle any remaining glaze over the sliced turkey for an extra burst of flavor, or serve it on the side like gravy.
- Arrange fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaves around the turkey on the serving platter, along with clusters of red grapes for a pop of color and freshness.
Recipe Notes
Top Tips:
- Start Basting Later: Begin basting after 30 minutes to avoid burning the glaze.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage add vibrant flavor—don’t skip them!
- Monitor Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches 165°F (74°C) for perfect doneness.
- Rest Before Slicing: Let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes to lock in juices before carving.
Leftovers & Storage:
- Refrigerate: Store leftover turkey in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze leftover turkey slices for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheat: Gently reheat turkey in the oven at 300°F (150°C) covered with foil, or in a skillet with a bit of broth to prevent drying out.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Maplevine Kitchen makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
