Nothing beats the comforting aroma of a roast with a hint of sweetness and warmth wafting through your home, which is exactly what you get with this Bourbon Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe. It turns an ordinary turkey breast into a special showstopper that’s juicy, flavorful, and perfect for any gathering.

The image shows three thick slices of tender light pink turkey placed on a white plate. The turkey slices have a slightly browned edge and are covered with a smooth brown gravy poured over the top, dripping down the sides. Small pieces of chopped green herbs are sprinkled on the gravy for garnish. In the background, there is a glimpse of creamy mashed potatoes also topped with gravy. The plate is sitting on a surface with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bourbon Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Bourbon Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Bourbon Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From the first time I made this bourbon maple glazed turkey breast, I was hooked. It’s that perfect blend of sweet, smoky, and a hint of tangy mustard that makes it feel like a special occasion every time. Trust me, once you try this, turkey breast won’t ever be boring again!

Extra Moist and Tender: The bourbon and maple syrup glaze locks in moisture making sure the turkey breast remains juicy and never dry.
Bold, Balanced Flavors: Sweetness from maple and honey blended with smoky paprika and mustard give it a complex, irresistible taste.
Simple Yet Impressive: It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner but also elegant enough for holidays and celebrations.
Delicious Pan Sauce: You get a rich, bourbon-infused gravy made straight from the drippings, perfect for drizzling over everything.

A white plate holds a golden brown roasted chicken breast being sliced with a hammered silver knife and pierced by a brass fork. The chicken has a shiny, slightly crispy skin with black pepper and fresh green herbs sprinkled on top. Around the chicken are fresh green herb sprigs and bright red cranberries, adding contrast and color. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, and a blurred background shows an orange mashed side dish. A woman's hand holds the fork, securing the chicken while it is sliced photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic behind this Bourbon Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe is really in the harmony of its ingredients. Each one plays its part—bourbon adds warmth and a slight kick, maple syrup brings in natural sweetness, and the spices deepen the savory side. Picking quality ingredients will really elevate your outcome.

Flat lay of a raw boneless turkey breast roast with pale pink skin and smooth texture, a small white bowl filled with golden maple syrup, a small white bowl of rich amber bourbon, a small white bowl of light brown packed brown sugar, a small white bowl containing glossy golden honey, a small white bowl with dark soy sauce, a small white bowl of whole grain mustard speckled with mustard seeds, a small white bowl with pale unsalted butter cubes, a small white bowl of all purpose flour powder, small white bowls each with reddish smoked paprika powder, light beige onion powder, off-white garlic powder, dried green thyme leaves, coarse kosher salt crystals, and cracked black peppercorns, arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Bourbon: Adds smoky warmth and depth that’s unique and enhances the glaze and gravy wonderfully.
Light Brown Sugar: Gives that rich, molasses-like sweetness helping the glaze caramelize nicely on the turkey.
Maple Syrup & Honey: Paired together, they create a layered, complex sweetness that’s not overpowering.
Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce: Provides umami and saltiness without overwhelming the sweetness.
Whole Grain Mustard: Brings tang and texture to balance the sugar’s sweetness perfectly.
Smoked Paprika, Onion & Garlic Powder: These spices add a smoky, aromatic base that complements the bourbon.
Dried Thyme: Offers an earthy, herbal note to round out the flavor profile.
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the other flavors.
Boneless Turkey Breast Roast: I swear by Butterball for consistency and tenderness.
Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth: Keeps the gravy light and flavorful without being salty.
Unsalted Butter & All Purpose Flour: Make a silky roux base to thicken the luscious pan sauce.
Apple Cider & Dijon Mustard: Adds bright acidity and sharpness to balance the richness in the gravy.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how adaptable this Bourbon Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe is. Over time, I’ve played around with the glaze and sides to match whatever mood or season I’m in, and you can too! It’s a recipe that lends itself nicely to tweaks without losing its signature charm.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the whole grain mustard for spicy brown mustard to kick up a little heat, which contrasts beautifully with the sweet glaze. You could also use turkey thighs if you want something even more tender and forgiving.
Dietary tweaks: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour or a cornstarch slurry for the gravy—it thickens just as well without losing any flavor.
Seasonal changes: Adding fresh rosemary or sage to the glaze in fall feels like a hug in food form! And a splash of orange juice in place of cider brightens it up for spring.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Bourbon Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe

Step 1: Whisk together your bourbon maple glaze

Start by combining bourbon, light brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, soy sauce, whole grain mustard, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Whisk everything until the sugars dissolve. This glaze is where the magic starts and it’s what gives the turkey that irresistible, sticky-sweet crust.

Step 2: Marinate and roast the turkey

Place the boneless turkey breast in a baking dish and pour about half the glaze over it, making sure it’s well coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to a few hours if you have time. Roast the turkey at 325°F (165°C), basting occasionally with the remaining glaze and some chicken broth until the internal temperature hits 165°F — this usually takes about 90-105 minutes depending on your oven.

Step 3: Make the rich bourbon gravy

Once the turkey is out of the oven, remove it to rest and collect the pan drippings. In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to create a roux—cook it until it’s golden and bubbly. Gradually whisk in the pan drippings, chicken broth, bourbon, apple cider, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Simmer until thickened, then stir in a tablespoon of cold butter for that glossy finish.

Step 4: Slice and serve

Slice your rested turkey breast against the grain for the most tender bites. Serve it with a generous drizzle of that luscious bourbon maple gravy and watch everyone swoon.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that really help this Bourbon Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe shine, so I’m sharing my must-know tips to make your cooking experience smooth and successful.

Don’t Skip the Rest: Let the turkey rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing to lock in juices and keep it moist.
Baste Often: Basting with the glaze and broth periodically helps build that gorgeous caramelized crust and prevents drying.
Use a Meat Thermometer: This is your best friend for turkey—pull it at 165°F to avoid overcooking.
Save Those Drippings: Don’t throw away the pan drippings—they’re the secret to making the gravy addictively good.

How to Serve Bourbon Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe

Bourbon Maple Turkey - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top this turkey with fresh thyme sprigs and a few thin orange slices. The thyme adds a lovely herbal aroma and the orange slices brighten up the plate visually and flavor-wise. Plus, those touches make it feel like a restaurant-worthy dish at home.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this recipe usually include creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with a little balsamic glaze, and maybe a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette. The creamy and slightly bitter sides balance the sweet, syrupy turkey perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I like to place the sliced turkey breast on a wooden board lined with parchment, surrounded by caramelized shallots, roasted nuts, and fresh cranberries. It creates a stunning centerpiece that's as edible art as it is delicious. Leftovers taste great served in elegant sandwiches or on top of fresh arugula salads too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store leftover sliced turkey and gravy separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This prevents the turkey from soaking up too much liquid and keeps the slices firm yet juicy. I usually consume leftovers within 3-4 days for the best freshness.

Freezing

This turkey freezes beautifully! Slice it first, then freeze the slices and gravy in separate freezer-safe bags or containers. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge. This is a lifesaver when you want to have a speedy, flavorful meal ready without the fuss.

Reheating

To keep the turkey juicy when reheating, warm it gently in a covered skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or gravy. Microwave works in a pinch, but I recommend adding a little moisture and covering with a lid or wrap to avoid drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use bourbon extract instead of real bourbon?

While bourbon extract gives some flavor, the warmth and richness from real bourbon really elevate the glaze and gravy. If you must substitute, consider increasing the spices slightly to compensate.

How do I prevent the glaze from burning during roasting?

Baste your turkey breast regularly with the glaze and chicken broth to keep it moist and prevent burning. If the glaze starts to darken too quickly, tent the turkey loosely with foil during the last part of cooking.

Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?

Yes! The bourbon maple glaze can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Just bring it to room temperature and whisk before using to ensure it's smooth and ready for glazing.

Is boneless turkey breast better than bone-in for this recipe?

Boneless turkey breast cooks more evenly and faster, making it easier to manage and slice. It also readily absorbs the glaze. But if you prefer bone-in, just increase cooking time and use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness.

Final Thoughts

This Bourbon Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe has truly become one of my go-to dishes when I want something that feels both comforting and a little decadent. It’s approachable enough for weeknight dinners, yet festive enough to bring out for celebrations. I can’t wait for you to enjoy the success and rave reviews that come with making it — it’s like a warm hug on a plate that’s worth every delicious step!