Enjoy the flavors of the holidays with this Honey Glazed Turkey recipe. Juicy turkey topped with a sweet honey glaze perfect for any occasion!
This Honey Glazed Turkey is the perfect blend of sweet and savory, featuring a beautifully roasted turkey breast brushed with a glossy honey glaze that caramelizes to golden perfection. You can serve it during the holidays or even slice it up for sandwiches. Everyone will love it!
I love pairing this turkey with my Red Skin Mashed Potatoes, Arkansas Green Beans, Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad, and Pecan Pie Cookies to create a delicious holiday meal!
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
Honey: The base for the glaze to add some sweetness to the turkey.
Paprika: A mild smoky flavor added to the rub for the turkey.
Boneless Turkey Breast: You can choose any size and adjust cooking time as you need. See FAQs for more info on this.
For a full list of ingredients and amounts see the recipe card below.
How to Make Honey Glazed Turkey
Step #1: Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
Step #2: In a small bowl combine all the spices for the turkey.
Step #3: Rub the seasoning mix all over the turkey.
Step #4: Next, wrap the turkey in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.
Step #5: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step #6: Place the turkey in a baking dish.
Step #7: Next, melt the butter and brush it all over the turkey.
Step #8: Place the turkey in the oven to roast for 30 minutes.
Step #9: While the turkey is roasting, make the glaze. In a saucepan over medium-high heat combine the honey, butter, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Allow the mixture to bubble then bring it to a simmer for 3 minutes.
Step #10: After the turkey has baked for 30 minutes, remove it from the oven and brush ⅓ of the glaze over the turkey.
Step #11: Bake for another 30 minutes and then remove from the oven and brush another ⅓ of the glaze over the turkey.
Step #12: Bake in the oven for another 15 minutes or until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit then remove from the oven.
Step #13: Spread the remaining glaze over the turkey.
Step #14: Allow the honey-roasted turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. Then, serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Turkey Netting: You don’t have to use the netting on the turkey but if you cook it with it on it will give your turkey that classic look with the indentions on the side.
Turkey Drippings: If you are making this on a holiday you can use the pan drippings from the turkey to make a delicious gravy!
FAQs
Rule of thumb is to have a cooking time of 20-30 minutes per pound of turkey. So add or subtract as you need for your turkey. Larger turkey breasts may brown more quickly since they spend more time in the oven; if you notice the skin getting too dark, loosely tent the top with foil to prevent over-browning. For turkey breasts larger than about 4 pounds, you can delay adding the glaze until the final 45–60 minutes of roasting to avoid the honey caramelizing too deeply. Be sure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and you’re all set!
I love serving mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables with this turkey. I also slice the turkey for sandwiches and have it alongside a cup of soup.
Storage Information
You can store any leftovers of this honey baked turkey in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 4 days. To freeze this turkey, wrap it in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place in an airtight container or freezer bag in your freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat, you can set your oven temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and warm for 20-30 minutes. You can also reheat in your microwave until everything has warmed through.
Honey Glazed Turkey Recipe
Ingredients
For the Turkey
- 3 lbs boneless turkey breast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp butter
For the Glaze
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
- In a small dish combine all the spices for the turkey.
- Rub the seasoning mix all over the turkey.
- Next wrap the turkey in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the turkey in a baking dish.
- Next, melt the butter and brush it all over the turkey.
- Place the turkey in the oven for 30 minutes.
- While the turkey is roasting, make the glaze. In a saucepan over medium-high heat combine the honey, butter, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Allow the mixture to bubble then bring it to a simmer for 3 minutes.
- After the turkey has baked for 30 minutes, remove it from the oven and brush ⅓ of the glaze over the turkey.
- Bake for another 30 minutes and then remove from the oven and brush another ⅓ of the glaze over the turkey.
- Bake in the oven for another 15 minutes or until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit then remove from the oven.
- Spread the remaining glaze over the turkey.
- Allow the turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. Then, serve and enjoy!
VIDEO
NOTES
Nutrition
This Honey Glazed Turkey recipe sounds absolutely delicious, though I do have a few humorous concerns. Firstly, the turkey netting – is that really necessary for that classic look? Seems a bit like wearing a fancy suit over your birthday suit, doesnt it? And the glaze application, needing two separate brushes – are we preparing for battle or a paintball tournament? Lastly, the internal temperature of 165°F sounds precise, like were cooking a spaceship rather than a turkey! Overall, its a recipe for deliciousness, just maybe with a few too many expert tips for the average home chef!
Haha! 😂 You just made my day with this comment!
The turkey netting does feel a little like dressing your bird up for prom, but hey—if it keeps everything looking sharp, I’m all for a fancy turkey. As for the two-brush situation… listen, some people go into Thanksgiving with a carving knife, I go in with an entire art supply kit. 🎨🦃
And that 165°F? Totally spaceship-level precision. NASA called—apparently we’re cleared for turkey launch. 🚀
Thanks for the laugh and for checking out the recipe! I promise the turkey tastes a lot less intimidating than the instructions make it sound. Let me know if you give it a try!
Easy to make, juicy and tasty. Thanks for the recipe.