Maple Sage Turkey

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The dry brine for this turkey includes sugar and maple and works the bird into a juicy, tender state.

Maple Sage Turkey
Photo: Andy Lyons
Prep Time:
30 mins
Roast Time:
2 hrs 40 mins
Stand Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 25 mins
Servings:
18

Ingredients

  • 1 14 pound frozen turkey

  • 3 tablespoon coarse kosher salt

  • 3 tablespoon maple sugar or packed brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon dried sage, crushed

  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 cup hot water

  • ½ cup maple syrup

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter

  • 4 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel

  • 1 teaspoon ground chipotle chile pepper

  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

Directions

  1. Partially thaw turkey in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days or until breast meat gives when pressed; it is fine if the turkey is still somewhat frozen. Remove turkey from packaging; pat dry.

  2. For rub, in a small bowl mix salt, sugar, dried sage, and black pepper. Rub evenly over turkey. Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a large roasting pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 3 days or until fully thawed. Remove plastic wrap the night before cooking.

  3. Preheat oven to 450°F. Remove neck and giblets from turkey cavity. Loop kitchen string around drumsticks; tie securely to tail. Pour 2 cups hot water into roasting pan with turkey. Turn heat down to 350°F. Roast turkey, uncovered, for 2 hours. (If breast browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.)

  4. For glaze, in a small saucepan heat maple syrup, butter, orange peel, chipotle, and peppercorns until warm. After 2 hours of roasting, generously brush turkey with maple mixture every 20 minutes for 40 to 60 minutes or until meat thermometer inserted in the thigh (not touching bone) registers at least 175°F. Remove turkey from oven. Tent loosely with foil; let stand 15 minutes. Reserve drippings for gravy.

Tips

Once the bird is dry-brined, no more work until roasting. Slip it straight into the oven and finish it with the glaze.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

407 Calories
16g Fat
10g Carbs
55g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 18
Calories 407
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 16g 21%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 186mg 62%
Sodium 1197mg 52%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 55g
Vitamin C 0.7mg 4%
Calcium 59mg 5%
Iron 2.3mg 13%
Potassium 481mg 10%
Folate, total 11.4mcg
Vitamin B-12 2mcg
Vitamin B-6 1.1mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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