Maple Roast Turkey

Elevate your holiday centerpiece with this irresistibly flavorful Maple Roast Turkey, a must-try recipe that blends the rich sweetness of pure maple syrup with the savory aroma of fresh herbs. Tender and juicy, this 12-pound turkey is infused with a luscious maple herb butter featuring rosemary, thyme, and garlic, spread both under and over the skin for maximum flavor. As it roasts to golden perfection, a medley of carrots, celery, and onion tucked inside the cavity enhances the turkey's depth of flavor, while chicken broth keeps it moist. Perfectly seasoned with salt, pepper, and basted every 30 minutes, this recipe ensures a beautifully caramelized finish that's as stunning as it is delicious. Whether you're preparing Thanksgiving dinner or a special occasion, this showstopping dish promises to delight a crowd with its balance of sweet, savory, and herbaceous notes. Don't forget to let it rest before carving to lock in those mouthwatering juices!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:210 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 12 pounds whole turkey
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 3 pieces carrots, roughly chopped
• 3 pieces celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 1 piece yellow onion, quartered

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and position a rack in the lower third of the oven.

Step 2

Remove the turkey giblets and neck from the cavity. Rinse the turkey with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

Step 3

In a small bowl, combine unsalted butter, maple syrup, rosemary, thyme, and minced garlic. Mix until it forms a smooth, herb-infused butter.

Step 4

Gently loosen the skin on the breast and legs of the turkey by carefully sliding your hand underneath it. Spread half of the maple herb butter under the skin and the remaining half on the outside of the skin.

Step 5

Season the turkey generously with salt and black pepper both on the outside and inside the cavity.

Step 6

Fill the cavity with the chopped carrots, celery, and onion to help flavor the turkey as it cooks.

Step 7

Place the turkey on a roasting rack set inside a large roasting pan. Pour the chicken or turkey broth into the bottom of the pan to keep the turkey moist while roasting.

Step 8

Roast the turkey in the preheated oven, basting it with the pan drippings every 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 165°F (74°C). This will take approximately 15 minutes per pound, or about 3-3.5 hours for a 12-pound turkey.

Step 9

If the turkey skin begins to darken too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

Step 10

Once the turkey reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the oven, cover it with foil, and let it rest for at least 20–30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Step 11

Carve the turkey and serve it with your favorite sides for a delicious meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	6878.8 grams (6878.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	9886

Total Fat 383.50g	492%
Saturated Fat 176.20g	881%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 4327mg	1442%
Sodium 18799mg	817%
Total Carbohydrate 203.20g	74%
Dietary Fiber 11.60g	41%
Total Sugars 161.00g
Protein 1320.20g	2640%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1033mg	79%
Iron 67mg	372%
Potassium 15119mg	322%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.2%

Protein: 55.3%

Carbs: 8.5%