Why You’ll Love this Maple Glazed Roasted Turkey
When you’re looking for a showstopper main dish that’ll have everyone at the table swooning, this Maple Glazed Roasted Turkey is exactly what you need.
The combination of sage-infused butter and sweet maple glaze creates a perfect balance that’s both sophisticated and comforting.
I love how the bacon shields the breast meat, keeping it juicy while adding a smoky flavor that complements the maple perfectly.
And can we talk about that skin? Golden, crispy, and glistening with maple goodness.
Trust me, your guests will be sneaking pieces before dinner’s officially served. Who can blame them?
What Ingredients are in Maple Glazed Roasted Turkey?
This maple glazed roasted turkey brings together the perfect blend of savory and sweet elements to create a holiday centerpiece that’s absolutely unforgettable. The sage-infused butter adds an earthy depth that complements the sweetness of the maple glaze, while the bacon provides that irresistible smoky flavor.
I’m getting hungry just thinking about all these ingredients coming together in harmony on the Thanksgiving table.
- 1 (12-14 lb) turkey
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 bunch sage, leaves finely chopped
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 8 slices smoked bacon
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
When shopping for these ingredients, quality really matters. Look for a fresh turkey rather than frozen if possible, and splurge on real maple syrup—not the artificially flavored “pancake syrup” that’s mostly corn syrup. The pure maple flavor makes all the difference in the final glaze.
For the bacon, choose a good quality smoked variety that isn’t too thick or too thin. Medium-cut bacon works perfectly for shingling over the breast without becoming too crispy before the turkey is done.
And don’t skimp on the fresh sage—those aromatic oils are what make the butter so magical.
How to Make this Maple Glazed Roasted Turkey
Preparing this showstopper turkey starts with the flavorful sage butter. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of room-temperature unsalted butter with the finely chopped leaves from half a bunch of sage. Mash everything together with a fork until the butter is speckled with little green flecks, then season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. This compound butter is what gives our turkey that incredible herb-infused flavor that permeates every bite.
Now for the turkey prep. After removing the neck and gizzards from your 12-14 pound turkey, give it a thorough rinse inside and out with cold water, then pat it completely dry. Season the cavity and exterior generously with salt and pepper.
Here comes the fun part—gently lift the skin from the breast and legs (I find using the back of a spoon helps create a little pocket without tearing the skin), and massage portions of that sage butter underneath. This technique allows the butter to melt directly into the meat as it cooks, keeping everything moist and flavorful.
Once trussed and placed on a rack in a large roasting pan, pop your turkey into a preheated 350°F oven.
The magic of this recipe lies in the maple glaze. Whisk together 1 cup of pure maple syrup with 1/4 cup of hot water to create a basting liquid that you’ll apply every 30 minutes throughout the cooking process. Having essential kitchen products on hand will make the basting process much more efficient and effective.
About two hours in, when the skin has developed some nice color, layer 8 slices of smoked bacon over the breast in a shingled pattern—this adds flavor while protecting the meat from drying out.
After about 3 hours total (or when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 170°F), your gorgeous maple-glazed turkey is ready to be transferred to a cutting board. For even more gourmet results, consider using premium kitchen tools like those designed for preparing delicate proteins.
Let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving, which allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat for the most succulent results. The finished turkey will have beautifully bronzed skin with a subtle sweetness from the maple glaze that perfectly complements the savory bacon and aromatic sage.
Maple Glazed Roasted Turkey Substitutions and Variations
While our classic maple glazed turkey recipe makes a stunning centerpiece, you might want to customize it based on your pantry or flavor preferences.
For a deeper flavor, I recommend swapping maple syrup with bourbon or apple cider. Not a bacon fan? Pancetta creates an equally delicious crust. Fresh out of sage? Rosemary or thyme work beautifully with the maple notes.
Consider adding diced apples to the cavity, or mixing cranberries into the glaze for a tart twist.
And if butter isn’t your thing, olive oil makes a surprisingly good substitute. The beauty of this recipe? It’s endlessly adaptable to your taste.
What to Serve with Maple Glazed Roasted Turkey
A magnificent maple glazed roasted turkey deserves equally impressive side dishes to create a memorable meal experience.
I’d recommend classic mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce (homemade if you can swing it), and a green vegetable like Brussels sprouts with bacon.
The sweetness of the maple glaze pairs wonderfully with savory stuffing—perhaps one with sausage and herbs?
Don’t forget dinner rolls for sopping up that delicious maple-bacon infused gravy.
For a complete spread, consider adding roasted root vegetables, a fresh salad, and, of course, pumpkin pie for dessert.
Your guests will be talking about this meal for years.
Final Thoughts
This maple glazed roasted turkey recipe represents the pinnacle of holiday cooking, combining traditional flavors with that irresistible sweet-savory maple and bacon profile.
I’m convinced it’s the bacon shingling technique that takes this bird from good to absolutely memorable.
What I love most is how the sage butter under the skin infuses the meat with flavor while keeping everything moist.
The maple glaze creates that perfect caramelized exterior we all fight over at the table.
Trust me, your guests will be talking about this turkey long after the leftovers are gone. Worth every minute of preparation.
After the feast, transform any leftover bread from your dinner into a comforting bread pudding using just milk, eggs, sugar and warming spices.
For a simpler comfort food option with similar richness, try a Mississippi Pot Roast that transforms an inexpensive cut of meat into a tender, flavorful dish with minimal effort.
Conclusion
I’m certain this maple glazed turkey will become your new holiday tradition. The combination of sweet maple, aromatic sage, and smoky bacon creates a showstopper that’s surprisingly simple to execute. What I love most is how this recipe balances impressive presentation with foolproof technique. Even if you’ve had turkey disasters in the past (haven’t we all?), this method delivers reliable, mouthwatering results that’ll have your guests reaching for seconds.
