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Maple Roast Turkey

SUBMITTED BY: Christine L. PHOTO BY: Knopka

"This is the perfect turkey. The maple adds a sweet flavor that is just divine. A family favorite! Substitute 2 teaspoons dried marjoram if fresh marjoram is not available."
RECIPE RATING:
The reviewer gave this recipe 94 stars. This recipe average a 4.7 star rating.
Read Reviews (79)
PREP TIME  1 Hr
COOK TIME  3 Hrs 30 Min
READY IN  6 Hrs 30 Min

SERVINGS

 (Help)
    
Servings
 

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 1/3 cup real maple syrup
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • salt and pepper to taste
  •  
  • 1 (12 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets reserved
  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped celery
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  •  
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup apple brandy

DIRECTIONS

  1. Combine apple cider and maple syrup in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Continue cooking until reduced to 1/2 cup, then remove pan from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon thyme, 1 tablespoon marjoram, and lemon zest. Stir in butter until melted, and season with salt and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate until cold.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place rack in lower third of oven.
  3. Place turkey on a rack set in a roasting pan. Reserve 1/4 cup maple butter for gravy, and rub the remaining maple butter under the skin of the breast and over the outside of turkey. Arrange onion, celery, carrots turkey neck and giblets around the turkey. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon thyme and 1 tablespoon marjoram over vegetables. Pour 2 cups broth into pan.
  4. Roast turkey for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cover entire turkey loosely with foil. Continue roasting for about 2 1/2 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Transfer turkey to platter, and let stand 30 minutes.
  5. Strain the pan juices into a large measuring cup, and then remove any excess fat. Add enough chicken broth to pan juices to measure 3 cups. Transfer liquid to a saucepan, and bring to boil. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup maple butter and 1/3 cup flour until smooth. Whisk flour and butter mixture into broth mixture. Stir in remaining thyme and the bay leaf. Boil until reduced to sauce consistency, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Mix in apple brandy, if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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REVIEWS

The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 17, 2003 by BOBERTO
I used this recipe this year for my first Thanksgiving dinner ever. As you can imagine, I was... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 2, 2006 by mjm
Great tasting and juicy turkey. This is the best turkey I've ever made. I will definitely... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 0 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 24, 2002 by DAVID516
I am roasting with this recipe as I type this, the bird just went in the oven. One note: The... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 25, 2005 by BONSTEAD
We made this yesterday and received a lot of compliments. It was fairly simple to prepare and... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 23, 2005 by PRINCESSAINE
Be very generous with the amount of marinade you put under the skin. I carefully put some... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 2 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 30, 2005 by DKNJ30
I made this turkey for Thansgiving - it wasn't very good! I followed the directions - I even... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 26, 2005 by FLETCHALLB
I made the butter ahead of time, and could only find dried marjoram, but the butter came out... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 15, 2005 by MINASMOM
This was a hit at our Thanksgiving dinner! The gravy that is made from the Maple Butter is... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 23, 2006 by ANNLAGO