Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (71)

Cook Time:
3 hr 0 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
12 servings

Times:

Prep: 30 min
Inactive Prep: 20 min
Cook: 3 hr 0 min
Total:: 3 hr 50 min

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Ingredients

1 sticks unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/4 bunch fresh sage, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (12 to 14-pound) fresh turkey, giblets, neck, and liver discarded
8 strips bacon
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons hot water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and remove the top rack of the oven.

Put the butter and sage in a mixing bowl and mash with a fork or spoon until the sage is well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.

Rinse the bird thoroughly inside and out with cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the cavity and skin liberally with salt and pepper. Using your fingers, gently lift the skin from the turkey breast and slip the remaining seasoned butter under, massaging the breast meat as you go. Truss the bird by crossing the legs over one another and tying with a piece of kitchen twine. Shingle the bacon strips over the breast so it's totally covered. Put the turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan, cover the turkey with aluminium foil, and place in the oven.

In a small bowl, stir the maple syrup with 2 tablespoons of hot water to thin. Roast the turkey for 2 hours, basting with the maple glaze every 30 minutes. Continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meaty part of the thigh registers 170 degrees F. The thigh juices will run clear when pricked with a knife, about 3 hours total (15 minutes per pound). About 1/2 hour before you think the turkey is done, remove the foil so that it can brown. When done take the turkey out of the oven and put the roasting pan on the stovetop. Transfer the turkey to a serving tray to rest at least 20 minutes before carving. Serve with Turkey Gravy.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
Seth Charlotte, NC 12-26-2009
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What a hit!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was a huge hit at Christmas and the whole house smelled AMAZING!! I used more maple syrup & water to baste since I ran... out early but other than that didn't change a thing. The entire turkey was extremely moist. The only thing I would change would be the sage, just not a big fan of it. I think next year I'll go with a little rosemary. Read more
recipe Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
Kendra Saint Peters, MO 12-23-2009
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The best ever Turkey
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this turkey for the first time 5 years ago. This will be my second time makeing it. I had been close to home or other... family sense then, so I just cooked those items no one else could. This year I am liveing in Germany. We will have a full house for x-mass and I hope all of our US ARMY soilders love this as much as we do. Hoorah. US Army wife overseasRead more
recipe Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
Rob Alta Loma, CA 12-14-2009
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This was a hit!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was my second Thanksgiving dinner at my house. My first was a bust but this was the best turkey I ever had and my family... thought the same. My family had never heard of doing a brine and now they are true belivers in this method. Most importantly, my wife was very pleased. Especialy since I ruined our first turkey dinner. I definetly redeamed myself. Thanks Tyler. Oh, and my wife made Tylers sweet potatoes and bananas with honey. That was a winner too.Read more
recipe Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
Ryan Las Vegas, NV 11-27-2009
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This recipe ROCKS!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Thanksgiving will never be the same again, thanks to this recipe. I blew the doors off when I presented this turkey in all... its juicy glory at the thanksgiving table. Thanks Tyler and keep up the good work!Read more
recipe Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
Diane Garden Grove, CA 11-27-2009
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No leftovers!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

For the first time in 35 years of cooking Thanksgiving turkey....there were no leftovers! The maple baste gave it a lovely... color. My daughter just wanted to take a picture of it as it was just beautiful in presentation. The bacon was a wonderful twist. My father-in-law and son-in-law were going to arm wrestle for the last piece of bacon. It was just beautiful in presenation and the most moist turkey that we have ever had. Will definitely be making this again next year.Read more
recipe Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
Emiko Portola Valley, CA 11-26-2009
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best turkey
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

amazingly flavorful considering the simplicity of the ingredients. the gravy turned out more sweet because of the syrup,... which was interesting. fantastic recipe.Read more