What Are the Ingredients in Boar's Head Honey Roasted Turkey?

November 12, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Boar's Head, their deli meats are not highly processed, yet they still contain a specific list of components to achieve their signature flavor. So, what are the ingredients in Boar's Head honey roasted turkey? A look at the label reveals key components, including turkey breast, sweeteners, and common curing agents.

Quick Summary

Boar's Head produces different honey-flavored turkey varieties, like Honey Smoked and Maple Glazed Honey Coat Turkey Breast, which contain turkey, water, honey, sugar, and preservatives. Both options use natural sweeteners and are gluten-free and low-fat.

Key Points

Two Primary Options: When asking what are the ingredients in Boar's Head honey roasted turkey, people are typically referring to either the Honey Smoked Turkey Breast or the Maple Glazed Honey Coat Turkey Breast.
Simple Ingredient List: The Honey Smoked variety contains a shorter list, including turkey breast, water, honey, salt, sugar, and preservatives like sodium phosphate and sodium citrate.
Complex Glaze: The Maple Glazed Honey Coat turkey has a more complex ingredient profile due to its outer glaze, which contains additional sweeteners like maple syrup and dextrose, as well as gelatin and cacao seed powder.
Contains Preservatives: Both varieties use common food-grade preservatives like sodium phosphate to maintain moisture and freshness, even though Boar's Head minimizes artificial additives.
Gluten-Free: All Boar's Head meats, including the honey-flavored turkeys, are gluten-free and contain no artificial flavors or fillers.
No MSG: Boar's Head does not add MSG to its products, offering a clean, flavorful deli meat experience.

Understanding Boar's Head Honey Flavored Turkey Varieties

Boar's Head offers a range of honey-flavored turkey products, which can lead to confusion when checking ingredient labels. The two most common and relevant products are the Honey Smoked Turkey Breast and the Maple Glazed Honey Coat Turkey Breast. While both feature a sweet and savory profile, their specific ingredient lists differ slightly due to their distinct flavorings. The 'honey roasted' title can generally refer to either of these popular deli options.

The Ingredients in Honey Smoked Turkey Breast

For those specifically looking for the ingredient list for the Honey Smoked Turkey Breast, the components are straightforward and minimal. As a low-fat, gluten-free, and extra-lean option, it is a popular choice for many consumers.

Core Ingredients

This variety includes turkey breast, water, and honey as the main components.

Seasoning and Preservatives

Ingredients present in amounts less than 1.5% include salt, sugar, sodium phosphate, and sodium citrate. Sodium phosphate and sodium citrate are used for moisture retention, texture, and preservation.

The Ingredients in Maple Glazed Honey Coat® Turkey Breast

This variety features a more complex flavor, incorporating both maple and honey elements. The ingredient list is slightly longer due to the added glaze coating.

Main Turkey Ingredients

The base of this product is turkey breast, water, and seasonings like salt, sugar, and dextrose. It also includes pure maple syrup, honey, sodium phosphate for moisture, and natural flavorings.

Coating Ingredients

The glaze contains water, honey, cacao seed powder for color and flavor, sugar, turkey broth with natural flavor, gelatin for gelling, and maple syrup.

A Closer Look at Additives

While Boar's Head aims to avoid artificial additives, some are necessary for preservation and flavor.

Preservatives and Flavor Enhancers

Sodium Phosphate is used in both varieties to maintain moisture and texture. Sodium Citrate is found in the Honey Smoked variety to regulate acidity and act as an emulsifier. Natural Flavorings are used in both to enhance taste. Dextrose, a simple sugar, contributes sweetness and aids browning in the Maple Glazed variety.

Comparison: Honey Smoked vs. Maple Glazed Honey Coat Turkey


Feature	Boar's Head Honey Smoked Turkey Breast	Boar's Head Maple Glazed Honey Coat Turkey Breast
Core Ingredients	Turkey Breast, Water, Honey, Salt, Sugar, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate	Turkey Breast, Water, Salt, Sugar, Dextrose, Pure Maple Syrup, Honey, Sodium Phosphate, Natural Flavorings, Sea Salt
Coating	Hand-coated with honey	Coated with a glaze containing water, honey, cacao seed powder, sugar, turkey broth, gelatin, and maple syrup
Flavor Profile	Subtly smoky and sweet from the honey	Combines maple and golden honey flavors
Extra Lean	Yes	Yes
Added Nitrates/Nitrites	No, for the "All Natural" version	No, for the "All Natural" version
Gelatin	No	Yes, in the glaze coating
Key Additives	Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate	Sodium Phosphate, Natural Flavorings, Dextrose

Conclusion

Understanding what are the ingredients in Boar's Head honey roasted turkey requires identifying the specific product. The Honey Smoked Turkey Breast has a simpler list focused on turkey, honey, and basic preservatives. The Maple Glazed Honey Coat Turkey Breast is more complex due to its glaze, which includes maple syrup and gelatin. Both are high-quality options from Boar's Head, known for their transparent labeling and avoidance of artificial additives. Consumers should always check the product label for the most accurate details. For further information, visit the official Boar's Head website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Honey Smoked variety is lightly smoked and coated in honey, while the Maple Glazed Honey Coat features a more complex, sweeter glaze made with both 100% pure maple syrup and golden honey.

No, all Boar's Head meats, including their honey-flavored turkeys, are certified gluten-free. They do not add fillers or by-products.

Gelatin is used specifically in the glaze coating of the Maple Glazed Honey Coat Turkey Breast. It is not listed as an ingredient in the Honey Smoked Turkey Breast.

No, Boar's Head states that its products contain no artificial colors, flavors, or caramel colors. It is considered minimally processed with natural ingredients.

No, Boar's Head is proud to state that they do not add MSG to any of their meats, cheeses, or other products.

Sodium phosphate is a food additive used to preserve moisture and maintain the texture of the meat, preventing it from becoming dry and enhancing its overall quality.

Yes, Boar's Head defines its All Natural line as minimally processed with no artificial ingredients. The company also advises consuming their deli meats within three days for optimum flavor, reinforcing their less-processed approach.

Besides honey, the ingredient lists include sugar and dextrose. The Maple Glazed variety also uses pure maple syrup.