If you’ve been searching for a show-stopping main dish that’s both comforting and elegant, this Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe is absolutely worth a try. I love this recipe because it balances sweet, tangy, and savory flavors perfectly, making your turkey breast juicy, tender, and irresistibly flavorful. Whether it’s a holiday gathering or a special family dinner, this recipe will have everyone asking for seconds.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The maple syrup, cider vinegar, and chili garlic sauce create a glaze that’s sweet, tangy, with just a hint of heat.
Juicy, Tender Turkey: Cooking slowly at a moderate temperature with regular glazing keeps the meat moist and flavorful.
Simple Yet Elegant: Minimal ingredients make it approachable, but the end result feels fancy enough for special occasions.
Family Favorite: I’ve made this multiple times, and my family goes crazy every single time.

A white plate holds sliced roasted turkey arranged in layers with golden brown, crispy skin on top and soft white meat beneath, covering most of the plate. To the side, two halves of a baked sweet potato with a yellow, soft interior sprinkled with black pepper rest on the plate. Around the plate, there is a white crocheted doily on a white marbled surface, a small orange pumpkin, a pine cone, and a small white bowl filled with deep red cranberry sauce. A silver fork is partially visible on the right side, tucked beneath some turkey slices. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The blend of savory spices with the sweet maple and tangy cider vinegar really gives this dish its charm. These ingredients are easy to find and work beautifully together to bring out the best in the turkey.

Bone-in turkey breast: The bone adds flavor and helps keep the meat juicy during roasting.
Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out natural flavors.
Garlic powder: Adds a warm, savory note without overpowering the glaze.
Coarse ground black pepper: Gives just a touch of subtle heat.
Duck sauce: A sweet and fruity component that pairs beautifully with maple syrup.
Maple syrup: The star of the glaze, offering natural sweetness and depth.
Cider vinegar: Balances the sweetness with a bright tang.
Chili garlic sauce: Brings a slight kick that enhances, not overwhelms.

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.

Variations

I love how flexible this Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe is. Once you get comfortable with the base, you’ll find it’s easy to tweak for your taste or dietary needs.

Spiced Up: I once swapped out chili garlic sauce for harissa paste to add a deeper smoky spice. It was a hit at a friend’s dinner party!
Sweet Swap: If you want a milder sweetness, try honey instead of maple syrup—though maple’s complexity always wins in my book.
Herb Infusion: Adding fresh rosemary or thyme into the glaze or rub adds an earthy aroma that’s perfect for cooler months.
Low-Sugar Option: Reduce the maple syrup slightly and increase the duck sauce for a less sweet, but still flavorful glaze.

How to Make Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and the Glaze

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F. While it’s warming up, whisk together the duck sauce, maple syrup, cider vinegar, chili garlic sauce, and the half teaspoon of salt until smooth. Divide this glaze into two bowls—one to brush on during cooking and one to serve alongside your finished turkey. Trust me, you’ll want that extra glaze to drizzle on every slice.

Step 2: Prep the Turkey with the Perfect Rub

Pat your turkey breast dry with paper towels—this helps the rub stick and the skin crisp up. Mix together the salt, garlic powder, and black pepper, then massage this rub all over the turkey breast. Don’t rush this part; really work it in so every bite has flavor.

Step 3: Roast and Glaze for Juicy, Flavorful Turkey

Set your turkey breast in a large cast iron pan lined with parchment paper (hello, easy cleanup!). Pop it in the oven for 30 minutes, then brush generously with your first round of glaze. Repeat this glazing every 30 minutes to build up that gorgeous, sticky coating. The turkey should roast about 15-18 minutes per pound until an instant-read thermometer hits 165°F in the thickest part. The skin turns a beautiful golden brown when it’s ready—my favorite visual cue!

Step 4: Let It Rest Before Carving

Once your turkey is cooked perfectly, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. This step is crucial—I learned this the hard way—for juicy, tender slices. Using a sharp knife, carve the turkey so each piece retains its crispy skin. Serving alongside the reserved glaze makes every bite melt in your mouth.

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Pro Tips for Making Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe

Use a Meat Thermometer: An instant-read thermometer saved me from overcooking and drying out the turkey—it’s a game changer for juicy results.
Parchment Paper Liner: Lining your pan with parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup effortless, especially with sticky glaze.
Glaze Timing: Brushing every 30 minutes creates a beautiful, layered caramelization instead of burning the sugars.
Let the Rest Do Its Work: Skipping the resting time leads to dry turkey, so patience here rewards you with tender slices.

How to Serve Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe

The image shows a white plate with two halves of a baked sweet potato placed on the left side; the sweet potato skin is a light brown with a slightly rough texture, while the inside is pale yellow and soft, sprinkled with small black pepper specks. On the right side of the plate, there are several slices of cooked chicken with a golden-brown, slightly crispy outer skin and moist, white inner meat with a smooth texture. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, giving a clean and bright look to the image. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to add a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or thyme over the carved turkey for a pop of color and fresh aroma. Sometimes I add thin orange zest strips on the side for a little citrus zing that plays so nicely with the maple glaze.

Side Dishes

My favorite sides are creamy mashed potatoes, roasted autumn vegetables like Brussels sprouts and carrots, or a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette. These help balance the richness of the turkey and glaze beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I’ve arranged slices of the turkey breast fan-like on a platter with sprigs of rosemary and cranberries scattered around for that festive feel. Drizzle some reserved glaze over the arranged slices just before serving for extra shine and flavor punch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store leftover turkey breast tightly wrapped in foil or in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps its moisture for about 3-4 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or dinner later in the week.

Freezing

If you want to freeze leftovers, slice the turkey first and store the slices in freezer bags with as much air removed as possible. I’ve found this prevents freezer burn and makes thawing faster—ideal for meal prep.

Reheating

To reheat, I recommend warming slices gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or leftover glaze to keep it moist. Microwaving works in a pinch but can dry out the edges, so the skillet method is my go-to.

FAQs

Can I make this maple glazed turkey breast recipe without bone-in?

Yes, you can use a boneless turkey breast, but cooking time will be shorter—usually around 12-15 minutes per pound. Keep an eye on it with a thermometer to avoid drying it out, and remember the bone adds extra flavor and juiciness.
Is there a substitute for duck sauce in the glaze?

If you don’t have duck sauce, apricot preserves or a mild peach jam work well as substitutes to provide sweetness and fruitiness. Just make sure to blend it smoothly with the other glaze ingredients.
How do I know when the turkey breast is perfectly cooked?

Use an instant-read thermometer and check the thickest part of the meat. When it hits 165°F, your turkey breast is perfectly cooked—juicy and safe to eat. Avoid guessing by time alone as ovens vary.
Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can mix the glaze a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just bring it to room temperature and stir before using; this also allows the flavors to meld even more.

Final Thoughts

This Maple Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe is one I keep coming back to—not just because it’s delicious, but because it’s reliable and truly a crowd-pleaser. I remember my first time making it; the glaze caramelized so perfectly that everyone thought I’d spent hours on it. Honestly, with just a little patience and attention, you’ll nail this too. Give it a go next time you want to impress your friends or family—you won’t regret it!