Dinner · Part 1 of 3: Ingredients
Slow Cooker Maple Bourbon Turkey Breast with Sweet Potatoes

- Prep
- Cook
- Total
- Serves
- 4
Discover the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it dinner that brings together rich, savory, and sweet flavors in one simple pot. This recipe is designed to make your weeknight cooking stress-free while delivering impressive, restaurant-quality results every single time you prepare it for your family.
This maple bourbon turkey breast is a masterclass in slow cooking, transforming a lean cut of meat into a tender, succulent masterpiece.
By combining the natural sweetness of potatoes with the deep, complex notes of a maple bourbon sauce, you create a cohesive dish that feels sophisticated yet remains incredibly easy to prepare.
Whether you are looking for a reliable dinner staple or a meal that practically cooks itself, this recipe provides the perfect balance of convenience and flavor.
It is ideal for busy evenings when you want to come home to a warm, ready-to-eat meal that feels special and satisfying for everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Main
- 2 lb boneless skinless turkey breast
- 2 cups sweet potato chunks
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Sauce
- 1 cup maple bourbon sauce
Why this recipe works
The slow cooking method is ideal for turkey breast, which can easily become dry if cooked too quickly at high temperatures. By simmering the meat in a flavorful liquid over several hours, the turkey retains its natural juices while absorbing the deep, sweet, and smoky notes of the maple bourbon sauce.
The addition of sweet potatoes serves a dual purpose in this recipe. As they cook in the sauce, they release their natural starches, which helps thicken the liquid into a beautiful glaze.
Simultaneously, the potatoes become perfectly tender, soaking up the savory-sweet sauce to become a delicious, complementary side dish.
Notes and substitutions
When selecting a turkey breast, aim for one that is uniform in shape to ensure it cooks evenly throughout the slow cooking process. If you have a particularly large breast, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
The choice of bourbon can influence the final profile of the sauce. A standard, mid-range bourbon works perfectly well here. If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can substitute the bourbon with an equal amount of apple cider vinegar mixed with a small amount of brown sugar for depth.
- maple bourbon sauce: A mixture of 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup bourbon, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- sweet potato: Butternut squash chunks or cubed carrots work well for a similar texture and sweetness.
Equipment
- slow cooker
- measuring cup
- small ramekin
Up next · Part 2 of 3
3 steps · 4 h of cooking · what to look for at each stage
Step-by-step instructions (Part 2)