Maple Glazed Turkey

No ratings yet

Brushed with a rich maple syrup glaze and roasted to perfection, this maple glazed turkey is the perfect centerpiece for any Thanksgiving dinner! No brining or extra prep work required.

Prep Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 205kcal

Ingredients

2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 (18 lb) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 medium shallots, halved
1 medium orange, thinly sliced
Fresh rosemary or thyme for roasting
1/2 cup water plus additional if needed during roasting
Additional orange slices, fresh herbs, and cranberries for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325F and arrange oven rack to the bottom rack. Arrange a roasting rack in a large roasting pan and place turkey breast-side up on top. Set aside for a moment.
In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, orange zest, and thyme. Rub evenly over turkey, using a paring knife and your fingers to gently loosen skin and rub seasoning under the skin.
Melt butter, maple syrup, and vinegar together in a medium pan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer 3-5 minutes until sauce is reduced, stirring occasionally. Set aside 1/4 cup glaze for garnishing turkey later.
Brush some of remaining maple glaze all over turkey. Use kitchen twine to tie the legs together and tuck wings underneath bird. Scatter halved shallots, orange slices, and a few fresh herb sprigs around turkey and inside cavity. Pour 1/2 cup water in the bottom of pan.
Roast turkey at 325F for 2 hours (check occasionally and cover turkey loosely with tin foil if it is browning too quickly) then remove from oven and brush with some more of the maple glaze. Continue roasting turkey an additional 1-1/2 to 2 hours (add additional water to pan if it looks too dry) until turkey registers 160F when a kitchen thermometer is inserted into the breast, brushing turkey with glaze 3-4 times during this last cooking period
Remove turkey from oven and lightly tent with foil. Allow to rest 30 minutes.
Reheat reserved 1/4 cup maple glaze in pan over medium heat until warmed, stirring occasionally 3-5 minutes.
Carve turkey and arrange on a serving platter. Garnish with fresh herbs, orange slices, and cranberries if desired and drizzle maple glaze over turkey. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Storing Instructions

Store turkey leftovers in refrigerator up to 6 days. Turkey may also be frozen up to 2 months.

Nutrition