Name: Maple Butter Glazed Roast Turkey Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: PT-489905H9M32S
Total time: PT-489905H9M32S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 whole turkey (12–14 lb), neck and giblets removed; ⅔ cup kosher salt (or 6 tbsp + ½ tsp Morton salt); 1 tbsp coarse black pepper; 2 tbsp garlic powder; 2 tbsp light brown sugar; 1 tbsp olive or vegetable oil; 1 cup water; ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter; ¼ cup pure maple syrup; 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari; 2 tbsp unseasoned rice or white wine vinegar; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 sprigs fresh thyme

If you’re craving a roast turkey that’s bursting with flavor and just a little bit special, this Maple Butter Glazed Roast Turkey Recipe is absolutely what you need. I love this recipe because the combination of maple syrup and butter creates the most irresistible glaze that turns the skin perfectly crispy and golden, while keeping the meat juicy and tender inside. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through the whole process so you can wow your family and friends with a turkey that’s far from ordinary.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Deliciously Unique Flavor: The maple butter glaze gives your turkey a sweet, savory, and slightly tangy kick that’s unforgettable.
Perfectly Moist Meat: Dry brining overnight locks in moisture, making every slice juicy and tender.
Easy to Follow: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps mean even if you’re new to roasting turkey, you’ll succeed.
Great for Entertaining: Impress guests with a beautifully glazed bird that tastes like it took hours of effort.

The image shows a golden brown roasted whole chicken on a shiny gold platter, with visible dark brown glaze streaks creating a striped pattern on the skin. The chicken is placed on top of sprigs of fresh green rosemary, which are also scattered around the platter. In front of the chicken, there are several thick, sliced pieces of white meat layered neatly, garnished with small green herbs on top. Another whole roasted chicken with similar colors and glaze is partly visible in the background. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Maple Butter Glazed Roast Turkey, roast turkey with maple glaze, festive turkey recipe, juicy roast turkey, easy holiday turkey

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor while keeping the turkey tender and juicy. I always find it’s worth investing in good-quality maple syrup and fresh thyme for that authentic taste, and if you can get kosher salt, it really helps with the dry brine process.

Flat lay of one whole raw turkey, two sprigs of fresh thyme, a small mound of coarse kosher salt, a small pile of coarse black peppercorns, a white ceramic bowl with light brown sugar, a white ceramic bowl with olive oil, a white ceramic bowl with water, a small white ceramic bowl holding unsalted butter stick, a small white ceramic bowl filled with pure maple syrup, a small white ceramic bowl containing soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of clear rice vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl with Worcestershire sauce, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Maple Butter Glazed Roast Turkey, roast turkey with maple glaze, festive turkey recipe, juicy roast turkey, easy holiday turkey

Whole turkey: A 12–14 lb bird is ideal here; make sure it’s fully thawed for even cooking.
Kosher salt: Key for dry brining and tenderizing the meat—regular table salt won’t give the same results.
Coarse black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth to the seasoning.
Garlic powder: Gives a lovely savory background note without overpowering the glaze.
Light brown sugar: Works with the maple syrup to create that delicious caramelized crust.
Olive or vegetable oil: Helps the skin crisp up beautifully in the oven.
Water: Added to the roasting pan to keep the turkey moist during cooking.
Unsalted butter: For the glaze, melts perfectly to mix with the maple syrup for richness.
Pure maple syrup: This is the star of the glaze—use a pure grade for the best flavor.
Soy sauce or tamari: Balances the sweetness with some salty umami.
Unseasoned rice or white wine vinegar: Brings brightness to the glaze.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds complexity and a touch of tang.
Fresh thyme sprigs: Infuse herbal notes into the glaze; remove before serving.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’m all for making a recipe your own, and this Maple Butter Glazed Roast Turkey Recipe is versatile enough to fit your tastes. I often tweak it based on what’s in my pantry or the mood at the dinner table, and it always turns out great.

Herb-Infused Glaze: Sometimes I swap fresh thyme for rosemary or sage, which gives the glaze a woodsy twist that’s fantastic in fall.
Spicy Kick: Adding a pinch of cayenne to the glaze woke up my family’s taste buds on a chilly evening.
Gluten-Free Version: Just swap tamari for soy sauce to make this fit gluten-free diets without losing flavor.
Smoky Flavor: If you have a smoker, finish the turkey there after glazing for an extra-depth smoky goodness.

How to Make Maple Butter Glazed Roast Turkey Recipe

Step 1: Dry Brine for Maximum Juiciness

Start by patting your turkey dry with paper towels—this helps the dry brine work its magic. Mix kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and brown sugar, then rub this seasoning all over the turkey’s skin and under it where you can reach. This step is what makes the bird wonderfully flavorful and juicy. Once seasoned, pop the turkey uncovered into your fridge for at least 12 hours, ideally 24. Trust me, this patience pays off big time!

Step 2: Prep and Roast Your Turkey

When you’re ready to cook, let the turkey come up to room temperature for about an hour—this helps it roast evenly. Lightly rub olive oil over the skin to encourage crispness. Preheat your oven to 325°F and place the turkey on a rack inside a roasting pan, adding a cup of water to the pan to keep things moist. Roast the turkey for about 2.5 to 3 hours until the internal temp hits 135°F—if you notice the skin browning too fast, tent loosely with foil. This slow roasting gives you tender, perfectly cooked meat every time.

Step 3: Whip Up the Maple Butter Glaze

While the turkey roasts, this is where the magic comes together. In a small saucepan, combine butter, maple syrup, soy sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and fresh thyme sprigs. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld. Then, fish out the thyme sprigs and get ready to brush this luscious glaze onto your bird.

Step 4: Glaze and Finish Roasting

At about 135°F internal temp, start brushing the maple butter glaze generously over your turkey every 20 minutes. This repeated glazing builds that gorgeous shiny crust packed with flavor. Continue roasting until the turkey reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh, which should take around 3.5 to 4.5 hours total.

Step 5: Rest Before Carving

Once out of the oven, it’s crucial to let your turkey rest tented loosely with foil for 20–30 minutes. This lets the juices redistribute, meaning when you carve, you’ll get moist, tender slices—not dry meat. Serve with extra glaze or those flavorful pan drippings and enjoy every bite.

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Pro Tips for Making Maple Butter Glazed Roast Turkey Recipe

Patience is Key: Let your turkey dry brine uncovered in the fridge for at least 12 hours—this step makes the biggest difference in juicy meat.
Use a Meat Thermometer: I learned the hard way that guessing don’t cut it—investing in a reliable thermometer guarantees perfectly cooked turkey every time.
Glaze Towards the End: Applying the maple butter glaze every 20 minutes only after the turkey reaches 135°F prevents burning and maximizes flavor buildup.
Rest is Essential: Never skip resting your turkey, or you’ll lose precious juices—tented with foil keeps it warm without steaming the skin.

How to Serve Maple Butter Glazed Roast Turkey Recipe

The image shows a large white platter filled with golden brown roasted turkey pieces, glazed with a shiny, dark brown sauce. There are whole legs and thick slices of breast meat arranged close together, each slice revealing light beige inner meat with a smooth texture. Fresh green rosemary sprigs are scattered on top and around the meat for decoration. The turkey skin looks crispy with a rich caramel color and some darker charred spots. The platter rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Maple Butter Glazed Roast Turkey, roast turkey with maple glaze, festive turkey recipe, juicy roast turkey, easy holiday turkey

Garnishes

I usually garnish my turkey platter with some fresh thyme sprigs and a scattering of dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds. They add a lovely pop of color and a festive feel, plus the mild tartness balances the sweetness from the glaze beautifully.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this maple butter glazed turkey are classic roasted Brussels sprouts tossed with balsamic glaze, creamy mashed potatoes, and a simple green bean almondine. The flavors complement each other without competing, and your guests will thank you for the balanced meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love serving the turkey on a big wooden board surrounded by roasted root veggies and fresh herbs, letting guests help themselves. It’s rustic, inviting, and really highlights the beautiful glaze. You can also drizzle some extra glaze on the carving plate for that luscious final touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When you have leftovers (and trust me, there will be!), I slice the turkey and store it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. It keeps the meat moist and ready for sandwiches, salads, or quick reheating.

Freezing

If you want to freeze leftovers, wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in freezer bags. I’ve found that freezing works great, and you can pull out portions as needed for quick meals within 3 months.

Reheating

To reheat, I cover slices with foil and warm them in a 325°F oven until heated through—this prevents drying out. Sometimes, I brush a little leftover glaze on top before warming to bring back that fresh-off-the-roast flavor.

FAQs

Can I use this Maple Butter Glazed Roast Turkey Recipe with a frozen turkey?

You can, but it’s important that the turkey is fully thawed before starting. Depending on the size, this can take several days in the fridge. Once thawed, proceed with the dry brine and roasting as usual to ensure even cooking and flavor absorption.
Can I prepare the maple butter glaze in advance?

Absolutely! You can make the glaze a day ahead and store it covered in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove before applying it to the turkey during roasting—just stir occasionally to recombine any separated ingredients.
What if I don’t have a roasting rack?

No worries! You can improvise by placing the turkey on a bed of thickly sliced onions, carrots, and celery in the roasting pan. This lifts the bird off the bottom and adds extra flavor to your pan drippings.
How do I know when the turkey is done?

The best way is to use a meat thermometer—insert it into the thickest part of the thigh. Hit 165°F for safe consumption. Because of the dry brine and slow roasting, this method ensures juicy and perfectly cooked turkey every time.

Final Thoughts

This Maple Butter Glazed Roast Turkey Recipe has become my absolute favorite way to roast turkey. I love how the sweet and savory glaze turns the whole experience from ordinary to downright special. If you try it, you’ll notice how moist the meat is and how the glaze keeps everyone asking for extra. Honestly, it’s one of those recipes I recommend to friends and family every holiday, but really it’s perfect any time you want to impress with little stress. You’ve got this!