Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (61)

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
Ron New Hope, PA 10-03-2009
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As we say in Philly, Phantastic!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is the only turkey recipe you will ever need, or want, for that matter. It is the best. I started using it three years... ago. It has become everyone's favorite. Thank you, Tyler! I have sent the recipe to my buddy in California who will be doing it for the first time. He's a bit nervous, but I know he can do it!Read more
recipe Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
Dan Menifee, CA 04-12-2009
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Firehouse favorite!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this last Thanksgiving for the boys at Firehouse 86 in Indio, Ca. It was a huge hit. The guys really loved the taste... and said it was the best turkey they ever had. (I used a brine on the turkey as well, 24 hours prior to cooking). My wife is a Dietitian and a huge Food Network junkie. She turned me onto Tyler?s Ultimate and I've been a fan ever since. I now cook this same recipe for the guys but use 4 whole chickens instead of a turkey, for those non holiday meals. Great recipe!Read more
recipe Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
Mark Mequon, WI 03-10-2009
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Outstanding !
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was my 1st attempt at cooking a turkey and it turned out great. As a novice cook the recipe was relatively easy and left... the bird very moist. Read more
recipe Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
Nicole Pembroke Pines, FL 11-18-2008
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BEST TURKEY
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I do not eat turkey, don't like the taste. Every year I have either ham or shrimp on Thanksgiving. Last year my Dad decided... to have me make the turkey and maybe I would eat it. I found this recipe and knew it was a keeper. EVERYONE LOVED IT. The whole thing was gone in days, we had to make another turkey 4 days after Thanksgiving to go with our other leftovers. Everyone requested it again this year!Read more
recipe Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
teri brownsburg, IN 11-17-2008
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the turkey that is now a tradition
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

so moist and great taste my whole family loves it!!!
recipe Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
Christina Corpus Christi, TX 11-14-2008
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Highly Recominded... Everyone LOVED it!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I had never made a turkey, and ran across this recipe last year at Thanksgiving. I gave it a try and everyone loved it. My... family is a Christmas Ham type of family, but after eating this turkey my dad asked me to make it for Christmas Eve meal. My husband volunteered me to make it for Christmas Dinner at his family's house also. They all loved it. My sister-in-law has asked me to make it again this year for Thanksgiving. It is really easy to do also and so moist even the white meat.Read more