Description
Experience the ultimate festive feast with this Best Maple Glazed Turkey recipe. Featuring a succulent 13-pound turkey infused with aromatic herbs, fresh fruits, and a luscious maple butter glaze, this dish brings a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The turkey is seasoned and stuffed a day ahead to enhance juiciness and tenderness before being roasted to golden perfection. A homemade maple gravy rounds off the meal, making it a standout centerpiece for your holiday table.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Broth
- 13 lb turkey (defrosted)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp salt
Maple Butter Spread
- 1 cup salted butter (extra soft)
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Stuffing Aromatics
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 10 garlic cloves (left whole)
- 1 large orange (chopped)
- 1 large lemon (chopped)
- 1 large apple (chopped)
- 1 bundle fresh thyme and rosemary
Glaze
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup butter (melted)
Gravy
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 to 2 cups chicken broth (as needed)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Turkey: If desired, season and stuff the turkey the night before. Combine the chopped onion, garlic cloves, orange, lemon, apple, and fresh herbs. Stuff these aromatics inside the turkey cavity to infuse flavor and moisture during roasting. Place the turkey on a roasting pan and refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Make Maple Butter Spread: In a bowl, mix the extra soft salted butter with 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined. Use this spread to coat the turkey evenly before roasting.
- Roast the Turkey: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Apply the maple butter spread generously over the entire turkey, including under the skin if possible. Pour 4 cups of chicken broth into the roasting pan to keep the turkey moist. Roast the turkey for approximately 3.5 hours (about 210 minutes), basting occasionally with pan juices or maple glaze, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 165°F (74°C).
- Prepare Maple Glaze: While the turkey roasts, combine 1/2 cup pure maple syrup with 1/4 cup melted butter. Use this glaze to baste the turkey during the last 30 minutes of roasting for a beautiful, shiny finish and rich flavor.
- Make the Gravy: Once the turkey is done and resting, pour the pan drippings into a saucepan, skimming off excess fat. In a separate pan, melt 1/2 cup butter and whisk in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour over medium heat to create a roux. Gradually add 1 to 2 cups of chicken broth, whisking continuously until the gravy thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the pan drippings for enhanced flavor.
- Rest and Serve: Let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute. Serve with the homemade maple gravy and enjoy.
Notes
- This recipe suits a medium turkey between 12 and 16 pounds; for larger birds, double the maple butter spread to ensure ample flavor.
- The night-before seasoning and stuffing boosts the turkey’s juiciness and aroma.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is perfectly cooked and safe to eat.
- Adjust salt in the gravy according to your taste and dietary needs.
- Serve the turkey with traditional sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, or cranberry sauce for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 1191 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 3743 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 167 g
- Cholesterol: 570 mg
