I make Herbed Roast Turkey with Maple Glaze with herbs under and over the turkey skin. They impart the most delicious flavor and amazing aroma. Add maple syrup to the turkey’s natural fat for basting for a whole other layer of sweet deliciousness. The skin on Herbed Roast Turkey with Maple Glaze gets crisp and mahogany brown from the caramelizing of the maple syrup. It is crackling and scrumptious. Can’t get fresh herbs? Be sure you have new bottles of dried ones and use those. The dried herbs in new bottles will be brighter and have a more pronounced flavor and aroma.
Note: After you’ve carved your turkey, don’t throw away the frame. Use it to make Turkey Soup.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Herbed Roast Turkey with Maple Glaze
By Published: October 26, 2020
Yield:
- 10-12 Servings
Ingredients
- 10 pound turkey cleaned
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or softened non dairy margarine
- 2 tablespoons chopped rosemary leaves plus 2 whole branches
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage plus 2 whole sprigs
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves plus three sprigs
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup cognac optional- you can substitute with orange juice
- 1/2 cup flour
- 6 cups low salt boxed chicken broth/fresh chicken broth/water
Equipment
- 1 large roasting pan with rack use 2 pans together if using foil pans
- disposable gloves optional
- 8 inches butcher twine
- 1 baster
- 1 meat thermometer
- 1 strainer
- 1 3 quart saucepan
Directions
- Remove as many racks as necessary to make room for turkey in oven. Preheat oven to 325°F.
Mix the chopped herbs with five tablespoons of oil. Put on your gloves if using them. Rinse turkey inside and out. Pat dry. Gently, take your hands and spread them under the skin on the turkey breast. Push your hands through the membrane so that you create an empty space for the herbs. Spread half the herb-oil mixture under the skin of the breast. Spread the rest of the herbs over the outside of the turkey including the wings and legs. Take all the herb branches and insert them in the turkey cavity. Tie the legs together with butcher twine. Place turkey in the oven. Roast for one hour.
- Mix remaining oil with maple syrup and brandy. The brandy adds flavor and also cuts the sweetness of the syrup. If you prefer not to use it, add 1/4 cup of orange juice.. Mix well.
- After turkey has roasted for an hour, begin to baste it with the pan juices and maple syrup mixture. Continue to baste every 20 minutes until maple syrup is used up. The skin of the turkey will begin to darken considerably due to the maple syrup. If you prefer it less dark, you can tent the turkey with foil. The turkey should take about 3 1/2 hours to roast. The breast should register 170°F on a meat thermometer. You should also be able to shake the legs easily. Remove turkey from oven and transfer to a carving board. Let it rest 20 minutes before slicing. Prepare gravy while turkey is resting.
- Heat turkey drippings remaining in roasting pan. Add flour all at once . Stir with a whisk or wooden spoon until drippings have thickened and flour is cooked. Slowly, Pour in the chicken broth or water while stirring constantly. When gravy is done, pour it through a strainer into the saucepan. If you have time, put the saucepan in the freezer for 30 minutes and then remove the fat that has begun to congeal. If you are serving it immediately, pour off the fat which will come to the top . Serve gravy hot.
