Slow-Smoked Turkey Breast with Maple Bourbon Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-06 · Updated 2026-06-06

Juicy turkey breast slow-smoked over hardwood with a sweet and smoky maple bourbon glaze that enhances the tender meat’s natural flavor. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 260 minutes, pairs boneless turkey breast, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 lbs boneless turkey breast
• 2 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Mix 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder in a bowl. Rub this spice blend evenly over the entire surface of 4 lbs boneless turkey breast and let it rest uncovered in the refrigerator for 3 hours.
2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of fruitwood chips like apple or cherry for a mild smoke flavor. Place the turkey breast on the smoker rack and smoke for about 3 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
3. Step 3: While the turkey smokes, whisk together 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 2 tbsp olive oil in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly and becomes fragrant.
4. Step 4: During the last 30 minutes of smoking, brush the turkey breast generously with half of the maple bourbon glaze every 10 minutes to build layers of flavor and a sticky crust.
5. Step 5: Remove the turkey breast from the smoker and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with the remaining glaze on the side for extra sweetness and depth.