Maple-Butter-Glazed Turkey

Name: Maple-Butter Turkey
Prep time: 1440 min
Cook time: 100 min
Total time: 1540 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12-14 lb Turkey (neck and giblets removed).; 1 Tbsp Black peppercorns, coarsely ground.; ⅔ cup Kosher salt (or 6 Tbsp plus ½ tsp Morton salt).; 2 Tbsp Garlic powder.; 2 Tbsp Light brown sugar.; 1 Tbsp Vegetable oil or olive oil.; 1 cup Water.; ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted butter.; ¼ cup Pure maple syrup.; 2 Tbsp Soy sauce or tamari.; 2 Tbsp Unseasoned rice vinegar or white wine vinegar.; 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce.; 2 sprigs Thyme.

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

This Maple-Butter-Glazed Turkey is a holiday showstopper, offering a blend of sweet maple syrup and savory butter for a juicy, flavorful main course. By dry brining the turkey with a savory blend of kosher salt, brown sugar, and seasonings, the meat remains moist and tender. The glaze, made from butter, maple syrup, soy sauce, and a touch of vinegar, creates a beautifully caramelized exterior as it bakes. Regular basting ensures maximum flavor absorption, while the turkey rests to preserve its juices. A perfect centerpiece for Thanksgiving or any special gathering.

By Clare Greco

Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:04:54 GMT

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Elevate your holiday table with this Maple-Butter-Glazed Turkey, a perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors. The secret to its juiciness lies in the dry brine, which locks in moisture and deeply infuses flavor into the meat.

INGREDIENTS

Turkey: 12-14 lb, with neck and giblets removed, for a hearty main
Black Peppercorns: 1 Tbsp, coarsely ground for seasoning
Kosher Salt: ⅔ cup (or 6 Tbsp plus ½ tsp Morton salt), essential for dry brining
Garlic Powder: 2 Tbsp, for added flavor
Light Brown Sugar: 2 Tbsp, for a hint of sweetness
Vegetable or Olive Oil: 1 Tbsp, to coat
Water: 1 cup, added during roasting
Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick), for the glaze
Pure Maple Syrup: ¼ cup, for sweetness in the glaze
Soy Sauce or Tamari: 2 Tbsp, for a savory note
Unseasoned Rice Vinegar or White Wine Vinegar: 2 Tbsp, for balance
Worcestershire Sauce: 1 Tbsp, for depth of flavor
Thyme: 2 sprigs, for aromatic infusion

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:: Prepare the turkey by removing the legs and wings, separating the breast, and optionally trimming the backbone. Pat all pieces dry.
Step 2:: Mix coarsely ground black peppercorns, kosher salt, garlic powder, and brown sugar. Coat all turkey pieces with this dry brine and place on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Chill for up to 1 day.
Step 3:: Prepare the glaze by combining butter, maple syrup, soy sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until thickened.
Step 4:: Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange brined turkey pieces on a wire rack over a baking sheet with 1 cup of water. Roast for 20-30 minutes.
Step 5:: Reduce oven temperature to 300°F and continue roasting for 50-70 minutes, brushing the turkey with the prepared glaze every 20 minutes.
Step 6:: Once roasted, allow the turkey to rest before carving and serving.

Serving and Storage Tips

Serve hot, arranged on a platter with herbs for a festive presentation.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for longer preservation.
Reheat gently to maintain juiciness.

Helpful Notes

Adjust the amount of glaze based on desired sweetness and richness.
For a deeper flavor, add a few smashed garlic cloves during roasting.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

Chef Brown recommends basting frequently to ensure a deeply caramelized and flavorful crust.
Chef Lee suggests using tamari for a gluten-free version of the glaze without sacrificing flavor.

Maple-Butter Turkey

Juicy turkey glazed with a sweet and savory maple-butter sauce, creating the ideal holiday feast centerpiece.

Prep Time

1440 Minutes

Cook Time

100 Minutes

Total Time

1540 Minutes

By: Clare Greco

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (One roasted turkey, approximately 12-14 lbs)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 12-14 lb Turkey (neck and giblets removed).

02 1 Tbsp Black peppercorns, coarsely ground.

03 ⅔ cup Kosher salt (or 6 Tbsp plus ½ tsp Morton salt).

04 2 Tbsp Garlic powder.

05 2 Tbsp Light brown sugar.

06 1 Tbsp Vegetable oil or olive oil.

07 1 cup Water.

08 ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted butter.

09 ¼ cup Pure maple syrup.

10 2 Tbsp Soy sauce or tamari.

11 2 Tbsp Unseasoned rice vinegar or white wine vinegar.

12 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce.

13 2 sprigs Thyme.

Instructions

Step 01

Remove turkey legs and wings, separate the breast, and optionally trim the backbone. Pat turkey pieces dry.

Step 02

Coarsely grind black peppercorns and mix with kosher salt, garlic powder, and brown sugar. Coat turkey pieces with this mixture and place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Chill for up to 1 day to dry brine.

Step 03

In a saucepan, cook unsalted butter, pure maple syrup, soy sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme over medium heat until thickened, creating a glaze.

Step 04

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Arrange brined turkey pieces on a wire rack over a baking sheet with 1 cup water. Roast for 20-30 minutes.

Step 05

Reduce oven heat to 300°F and continue roasting for another 50-70 minutes, brushing the turkey with the prepared glaze every 20 minutes.

Step 06

Once done, allow the turkey to rest before carving and serving.

Notes

This maple-butter-glazed turkey offers a blend of sweet and savory flavors perfect for holiday gatherings.
Dry brining the turkey enhances flavor and ensures a moist texture.
Regular glazing during roasting creates a beautifully caramelized and flavorful exterior.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Calories: ~
Total Fat: ~
Total Carbohydrate: ~
Protein: ~