Description
Enjoy a festive and elegant Christmas Maple Butter Glazed Turkey Breast, featuring tender, juicy turkey enhanced with a rich, sweet, and aromatic maple butter glaze. Perfect for holiday dinners, this recipe balances the natural savory flavor of turkey with creamy butter, pure maple syrup, and fresh herbs to bring warmth and joy to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey
- 1 boneless, skin-on turkey breast (about 2–3 pounds)
Glaze
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
Seasoning & Cooking
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Turkey Breast: Pat the turkey breast dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure crisp skin when seared. Season generously with salt and pepper all over. Let the turkey rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes to encourage even roasting.
- Make the Maple Butter Glaze: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add pure maple syrup, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, finely chopped rosemary, and thyme. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth, fragrant, and well combined to create a flavorful glaze.
- Sear the Turkey Breast: Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet or an oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Place the turkey breast skin-side down and sear for 4-5 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip the turkey and sear the other side for an additional 3 minutes.
- Roast and Glaze: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously brush the turkey breast with the prepared maple butter glaze. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes. Every 10 minutes, baste the turkey with more glaze, continuing until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the turkey breast from the oven and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes to let the juices redistribute. Slice against the grain and drizzle with any remaining glaze before serving for a glossy, flavorful finish.
Notes
- Pat the turkey dry to ensure crispy, golden skin after searing.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee perfect doneness without overcooking.
- Baste frequently to build layers of flavor and achieve beautiful caramelization.
- Rest the turkey before slicing to maintain juiciness and tender slices.
- Fresh rosemary and thyme provide a more vibrant, aromatic taste than dried herbs.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg