Maple Brined Turkey.jpg

Gluten Free Maple-Brined Turkey Recipe

Brining a turkey in this wonderful mixture leaves you with the most flavorful and moist meat and will make you look like a pro in the kitchen. Most of the work is done the day ahead, making your work load quite light the day of the party.

5 from 2 votes
Maple Brined Turkey.jpg
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Gluten Free Maple-Brined Turkey Recipe

Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time3 hrs 20 mins
Brining time8 hrs
Total Time3 hrs 50 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 940kcal
Author: Kim Maes

Ingredients

For the turkey brine:

  • cups pure maple syrup
  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • ¾ cup gluten-free soy sauce
  • 2 lemons juiced and quartered
  • ½ cup kosher or fine sea salt
  • 6 garlic cloves smashed and peeled
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 4 quarts water
  • 1 16-18 pound turkey

For the gravy:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup finely chopped shallot
  • 4 cups unsalted turkey or chicken stock
  • 3 tablespoons dry sherry
  • 3 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh chives
  • Kosher or fine sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

For the turkey exterior and cavity prep:

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 2 teaspoons kosher or fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 large onions peeled and quartered
  • 2 lemons halved
  • 1 cup unsalted chicken broth

Instructions

Brine the turkey:

  • One day before: Combine maple syrup, sugar, soy sauce, lemon juice/quarters, salt, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns in a 6-quart pot. Add water and simmer until sugar and salt dissolve. Cool completely. Place turkey in a container large enough to fit the whole bird. Pour cooled brine over turkey, making sure it is submerged. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 18 hours. After brining, remove turkey from brine, rinse well, and pat dry. Discard the brine. Place turkey, breast side up, in a roasting pan. Place, uncovered, in the refrigerator overnight so the skin dries for better browning.

Start gravy:

  • One day before: Heat 2 tablespoons butter and the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until just soft, 1-2 minutes. Add stock and sherry and cook over high heat until reduced to about 3 cups, about 15 minutes; it will be thickened later. Refrigerate until day of serving.

Roast turkey and finish gravy:

  • Day of serving: Remove turkey from the refrigerator at least 1 hour before cooking to bring to room temperature. Position oven rack in lower third of oven, and preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Mix softened butter with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Gently loosen skin away from breast meat and rub half of the softened butter mixture all over the breast, under the skin, while taking great care not to tear it. Rub remaining half of butter over outside of the bird, on breast and legs.
  • Stuff onions and lemons into the cavity. Tuck wings under and tie legs together with kitchen twine.
  • Roast the turkey for 30 minutes. Lower temperature to 350°F and pour 1 cup of broth into the bottom of the pan. Cook for about 2 more hours (depending on oven and size of bird). Baste turkey every 30 minutes, checking to ensure the turkey doesn’t brown too much.
  • Roast until skin is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer registers 160°F in thickest area of thigh, about 2½ hours total cooking time (begin checking earlier if bird is smaller). If skin is overbrowning, cover breast loosely with foil.
  • Note: A brined turkey will cook faster than an un-brined one, so watch turkey carefully.
  • Transfer to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest 30 minutes. Pour pan drippings into fat separator and allow fat to rise to top.
  • Just before serving, bring previously prepared gravy to a simmer over medium-low heat. Mix cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water. Stir mixture into gravy, a little at a time, until thickened to your liking (you may not need it all). Whisk in separated pan drippings and remaining 2 tablespoons butter and chives. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Carve the turkey and serve with gravy.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Gluten Free Maple-Brined Turkey Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 940 Calories from Fat 315
% Daily Value*
Fat 35g54%
Saturated Fat 14g70%
Cholesterol 269mg90%
Sodium 9316mg388%
Potassium 1202mg34%
Carbohydrates 80g27%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 66g73%
Protein 76g152%
Vitamin A 635IU13%
Vitamin C 31.6mg38%
Calcium 183mg18%
Iron 4.4mg24%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimer: All nutrition facts on Gluten Free & More are meant only as a guide and may differ depending on product brands used or ingredient substitutions. Some errors may occur, so you are encouraged to confirm the recipe’s ingredient and nutrition suitability for your own diet.
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Tags: Christmas Gluten-Free Gluten-Free Recipes Holiday Kim Maes Magazine Maple Syrup Soy Sauce Thanksgiving Turkey
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