[X]

Home > Recipes > Maple-Butter Turkey with Gravy

Maple-Butter Turkey with Gravy Recipe

Maple-Butter Turkey with Gravy Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Read reviews (1)

Rate recipe

Thyme, sage and marjoram blend beautifully with apple cider and maple syrup in this recipe from our Test Kitchen. The maple butter can be prepared 1 to 2 days in advance.

[X]

Rate Maple-Butter Turkey with Gravy Recipe

Click on stars to rate

Would you make this recipe again?

Write a review

[X]

Maple-Butter Turkey with Gravy Recipe

Prep: 40 min. + chilling Bake: 3 hours + standing

Yield: 14-16 Servings

40 180 220

Ingredients

2 cups apple cider or juice
1/3 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup butter, cubed
2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 tablespoon minced fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
2 teaspoons dried marjoram
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds)
2 to 2-1/2 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions

For maple butter, in a small heavy saucepan, bring cider and syrup to a boil. Cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in the butter, thyme, sage, marjoram, salt and pepper. Transfer to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate until set.
With fingers, carefully loosen the skin from both sides of turkey breast. Rub 1/2 cup maple butter under turkey skin. Refrigerate remaining maple butter. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together. Place on a rack in a roasting pan. Cover with foil and bake at 325° for 2 hours.
Brush top with 1/3 cup maple butter. Bake, uncovered, 1 to 1-1/2 hours longer or until a thermometer reads 180°, basting occasionally with pan drippings. (Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.) Remove turkey to a serving platter and keep warm. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving.
Pour drippings and loosened brown bits into a 4-cup measuring cup. Skim and discard fat. Add enough broth to drippings to measure 3 cups. In a large saucepan, combine flour and broth mixture until smooth. Stir in remaining maple butter. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with turkey. Yield: 14-16 servings (3-1/3 cups gravy).

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1 each) equals 579 calories, 30 g fat (12 g saturated fat), 237 mg cholesterol, 506 mg sodium, 10 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 64 g protein.

Originally published as Maple-Butter Turkey with Gravy in Taste of Home's Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook Annual 2007, p112

Medium-Bodied White Wine

Enjoy this recipe with a medium-bodied white wine such as Riesling or Gewürtztraminer

More recipes like this:

Recipe Slideshows

Browse slideshows featuring our best recipes, holiday ideas, easy how-tos, cooking tips, and more!

Get Recipes >

Top 10 Recipes

A collection of our favorite, highest-rated recipes—including the best dessert, dinner and holiday recipes.

Get Recipes >

Reviews for Maple-Butter Turkey with Gravy

Maple-Butter Turkey with Gravy

Tell us what you think of this recipe.
Did you modify it? Would you make it again? Rate it today! >

Rate and Review this Recipe

(1-1) of 1 reviews

Reviewed on Nov. 25, 2009 by rainbodell

Since I first discovered this recipe (about 4 years ago), I have always made my Thanksgiving turkeys this way. The gravy is sweeter than traditional gravy, but delicious!

I also stuff the bird with a combination cornbread & bread scraps, diced apple, cranberries and raisins. It has become a family tradition for us!