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Lightened-Up Maple Bourbon Glazed Turkey Breast

maple bourbon glazed turkey breast - featured image
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A quick and easy holiday turkey breast recipe with a sweet-savory maple bourbon glaze that’s lighter but still incredibly delicious. Perfect for impressing guests without stress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 boneless, skinless turkey breast (about 2–3 pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  • ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon (e.g., Maker’s Mark or Bulleit)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (or dairy-free alternative)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Let turkey breast sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Rub olive oil over turkey, then season evenly on all sides. Place in a baking dish.
  3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine maple syrup, bourbon, Dijon mustard, butter, apple cider vinegar, and cayenne. Whisk until butter melts and mixture is smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside 2 tablespoons for serving.
  4. Roast turkey uncovered for 30 minutes.
  5. Remove turkey from oven. Brush generously with glaze. Return to oven and continue roasting, glazing every 10-15 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) at the thickest part (about 25-35 more minutes).
  6. Remove turkey from oven. Tent loosely with foil and let rest for 10-15 minutes. Internal temperature will rise to 165°F (74°C).
  7. Slice against the grain into ½-inch thick pieces. Drizzle with reserved glaze and serve.

Notes

Don’t skip the resting period for juicy meat. If glaze browns too quickly, tent turkey with foil. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute bourbon with apple cider or vanilla extract mixed with water. For dairy-free, use coconut oil or plant-based butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey breast, maple bourbon glaze, holiday recipe, lightened-up, easy turkey, gluten-free, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/lightened-up-maple-bourbon-glazed-turkey-breast-easy-perfect-holiday-recipe/