Roast Turkey with Maple Pepper Butter

Elevate your holiday feast with this show-stopping Roast Turkey with Maple Pepper Butter—a delicious twist on a classic centerpiece. This recipe features a 12-pound turkey generously slathered with a luscious blend of maple syrup, fresh rosemary, garlic, and black pepper-infused butter, creating a beautifully golden, crispy skin with a hint of sweetness and a peppery kick. Stuffed with aromatic lemon, onion, and celery, and basted with savory chicken broth, this turkey stays incredibly moist and packed with flavor. Perfectly roasted to juicy perfection, this dish is ideal for Thanksgiving or any special occasion. Serve alongside your favorite sides for an impressive and unforgettable meal your guests will rave about!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:210 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 12 pounds Whole turkey
• 1 cup Unsalted butter
• 0.25 cup Maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons Black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 2 tablespoons Fresh rosemary, chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Lemon, quartered
• 1 Onion, quartered
• 2 Celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cups Chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and pat it dry with paper towels. Let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, combine the unsalted butter, maple syrup, black pepper, salt, chopped fresh rosemary, and minced garlic. Mix thoroughly to create the maple pepper butter.

Step 3

Gently loosen the skin on the turkey breasts and thighs by sliding your fingers underneath it, being careful not to tear it. Spread about half of the maple pepper butter evenly between the skin and meat. Rub the remaining butter all over the top of the turkey skin.

Step 4

Stuff the turkey cavity with the quartered lemon, onion, and celery. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wing tips underneath the bird.

Step 5

Transfer the turkey to a roasting pan with a rack. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan to create moisture during roasting. Drizzle olive oil over the turkey for extra crispiness.

Step 6

Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 165°F (74°C) and the thickest part of the thigh reads 170°F (77°C). Baste the turkey with pan drippings every 30 minutes to keep it moist.

Step 7

If the turkey skin begins to brown too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.

Step 8

Once done, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest, uncovered, for at least 20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute for a juicier result.

Step 9

Carve the turkey and serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy your Roast Turkey with Maple Pepper Butter!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(6412.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8722.3

Total Fat 315.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 115.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 4058.2mg	0%
Sodium 9280.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 70.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.1g	0%
Total Sugars 60.3g
Protein 1316.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 780.4mg	0%
Iron 62.4mg	0%
Potassium 14128.3mg	0%

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

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.8%

Protein: 62.8%

Carbs: 3.4%