Maple Smoked Turkey Breast

Name: Maple Smoked Turkey Breast
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 215 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5-6 lb bone-in turkey breast; 2 tbsp olive oil or butter; 1 gallon water; 1 cup pure maple syrup; 1/2 cup kosher salt; 6 garlic cloves (crushed); 3 fresh rosemary sprigs; 5 fresh thyme sprigs; 1 tbsp black peppercorns; 3 bay leaves; 1/4 cup pure maple syrup; 2 tbsp butter (melted); 1 tsp fresh thyme (chopped)

215 min 8 servings medium

All Recipes

Maple Smoked Turkey Breast

A juicy, maple-brined turkey breast smoked until golden — perfect for a smaller holiday gathering or Sunday dinner.

Prep

15 min

Cook

180 min

Total

215 min

Servings

Difficulty

medium

A whole turkey can be intimidating. A bone-in turkey breast is the perfect compromise — all the flavor, half the work. The maple brine guarantees juicy meat, and the smoke gives it a gorgeous mahogany color.

Ingredients

Servings

Turkey

Maple Brine

Glaze

Instructions

Brine overnight

Dissolve salt and maple syrup in warm water, add aromatics. Cool completely, then submerge turkey breast. Refrigerate 12-24 hours.

Prep

Remove from brine, rinse, and pat very dry. Rub with oil or butter. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Smoke

Smoke at 275°F with maple or cherry wood for about 3 hours, until internal temperature reaches 155°F.

Glaze

Mix maple syrup, melted butter, and thyme. Brush turkey during the last 30 minutes of smoking.

Rest

Remove at 160°F (carryover will bring it to 165°F). Rest for 20 minutes tented with foil before carving.

Serving Suggestions

Slice thin against the grain. This also makes incredible sandwiches the next day with whole grain mustard and arugula.