Roast Turkey with Fresh Thyme Rub and Maple Glaze
Ingredients
- 1 whole turkey 12 lb, thawed if frozen
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons real maple or maple-flavored syrup
Instructions
- Heat oven to 325°F.
- Discard giblets and neck, or reserve for another use.
- Rinse turkey inside and out with cold water; pat dry with paper towels.
- Fold wings across back of turkey so tips are touching.
- If turkey doesn’t have an ovenproof plastic leg band holding legs together, tuck legs under band of skin at tail (if present); or tie legs together with kitchen string, then tie to tail if desired.
- Place turkey, breast side up, on rack in large roasting pan.
- Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter; brush over turkey.
- In small bowl, mix thyme, salt, allspice, pepper and oil.
- Rub mixture over turkey.
- Insert ovenproof meat thermometer into turkey so tip is in thickest part of inside thigh and does not touch bone.
- Roast uncovered 3 hours to 3 hours 45 minutes.
- After roasting about 2 hours, cut band of skin or remove tie holding legs, if desired, to allow insides of thighs to cook thoroughly and evenly.
- Place tent of foil loosely over turkey to prevent excessive browning.
- Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter; mix with syrup.
- Brush half of the mixture over turkey about 20 minutes before completely cooked.
- Brush again about 10 minutes before completely cooked.
- Turkey is done when thermometer reads 165°F and legs move easily when lifted or twisted.
- Place turkey on warm platter; cover with foil to keep warm.
- Let stand 15 minutes for easiest carving.