MAPLE-BUTTER TURKEY WITH GRAVY

Maple-Butter Turkey with Gravy image

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.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 3h40m

Yield 14-16 servings (3-1/3 cups gravy).

Number Of Ingredients 11

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

Steps:

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 579 calories, Fat 30g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 237mg cholesterol, Sodium 506mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 64g protein.