Description
Deliciously moist and flavorful Maple Mustard Roasted Turkey Thighs featuring a savory glaze of butter, fresh herbs, smoked paprika, Dijon mustard, and pure maple syrup, roasted to tender perfection atop aromatic vegetables.
Ingredients
Turkey Thighs:
- 2 bone-in, skin-on turkey thighs (about 2–3 lb total)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Glaze:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp Dijon-style mustard (made with distilled vinegar)
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
Roasting Pan Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 cup water
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 5 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 5 carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 4 rosemary sprigs
- 2 thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare glaze: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the chopped fresh rosemary and thyme, smoked paprika, Dijon mustard, and pure maple syrup. Bring the mixture to a brief boil to combine flavors, then remove from heat.
- Prepare turkey and roasting setup: Pat the turkey thighs dry with paper towels and season evenly with salt and black pepper. In a roasting pan, combine the water, chopped onion, celery pieces, carrots, and herb sprigs (rosemary and thyme). Place a roasting rack over the vegetables and herb mixture. Arrange the turkey thighs skin-side up on the rack and brush generously with the prepared glaze.
- Roast the turkey: Place the roasting pan in the oven and roast the turkey thighs for about 1½ hours. Every 30 minutes, baste the turkey with the pan juices to keep the meat moist and flavorful. Continue roasting until the thickest part of the thighs reaches an internal temperature of 170–175°F (77–79°C), checking using a meat thermometer away from the bone.
- Rest and serve: Remove the turkey thighs from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Slice the turkey and spoon the pan juices over the meat when serving for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Spoon the pan juices over the sliced turkey for added moisture and taste.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Letting the turkey rest before slicing helps keep the meat juicy.
- This recipe yields about 4 servings, perfect for a family meal.