Make your Thanksgiving turkey more flavorful than ever with our top turkey tips. In no time, youll know how to season a turkey that guests will crave.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you’re sure to have your menu planned, from the best Thanksgiving sides to perfect pumpkin pies. And, of course, you’ve got the traditional turkey lined up.
Whether you’re serving up a small gathering of close friends and family, or throwing a Friendsgiving get-together, you’ll want to get (and serve) the perfect turkey for everyone at the dinner table. Make sure you know how much turkey to serve per person, so you grab the right size bird for your holiday dinner.
But before you pop your perfectly chosen turkey into the oven, don’t forget to season it well. The right Thanksgiving turkey recipes paired with pitch-perfect seasoning can turn your turkey from a basic bird to a fantastic fowl. Follow these tips and tricks on seasoning your turkey for a juicy and flavorful meal.
Come Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering, a beautifully roasted turkey takes center stage. But dry, bland turkey can ruin the meal. The secret to flavorful, juicy meat? Seasoning under the skin.
Getting savory spices herbs zest and more directly onto the meat maximizes taste and moisture throughout. Follow these tips for incredible under-the-skin turkey seasoning.
Why Season Under the Skin
Seasoning under rather than just on top of the skin brings two big benefits:
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Deeper flavor infusion With seasonings pressed right against the meat flavors penetrate deeply as the turkey cooks. Just seasoning the skin alone can’t flavor the meat below as well.
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Moisture retention: The skin forms a protective seal, keeping the meat juicy. Seasonings directly on the skin can disrupt this moisture-locking layer.
So seasonings under the skin means rich, aromatic flavor in every bite and tender succulent meat.
Prepping the Skin
Before seasoning, you need to gently loosen the skin from the meat. Here’s how:
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Start on the breast, carefully easing fingers between skin and meat towards the neck.
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Take care not to tear the delicate skin. Small tears let moisture escape.
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Repeat to loosen skin over both whole breasts for maximum coverage.
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Further loosen skin over thighs and legs in the same gentle manner.
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Keep skin attached at some points. Don’t fully detach.
The goal is to create pockets under the skin for seasonings to spread later.
Excellent Under Skin Seasoning Options
With loosened skin prepared, you can rub or stuff it with amazing flavors. Great choices include:
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Herbed butter: Soften and whip butter with chopped rosemary, thyme, sage. Spread evenly under skin before roasting.
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Citrus zest: Brighten flavor by mixing zest of lemon, lime, orange with herbs, butter/oil.
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Spice rubs: Make wet rubs with garlic powder, cumin, paprika, etc. blended into oil or butter.
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Chopped herbs: Classics like sage, rosemary, thyme, marjoram. Use alone or with butter/oil.
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Aromatics: Diced onion, shallot, garlic, ginger add big flavor under skin.
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Brines/marinades: For double impact, rub wet brine under skin before roasting.
Lemon zest, thyme and sage blended into soft butter is a simple yet tasty combo. For an explosion of flavor, make a paste with onion powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder and oil.
Getting Seasonings Under the Skin
With ingredients ready, work them under the skin using either technique:
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Spread infused butter/oil: Soften then mix in desired flavors. Evenly coat meat under skin with seasoned fat.
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Stuff seasoning pockets: Divide herb/rubs/aromatics into tablespoon-sized clumps. Carefully place into prepared pockets under skin. Distribute evenly so flavors spread uniformly.
Either method thoroughly transfers flavors right against the meat before roasting.
Roasting for Success
Once perfectly prepped with under-skin seasoning, the turkey is ready for the oven. As it roasts, delicious flavors will permeate the meat, which stays moist thanks to the skin’s seal.
Follow proper roasting guidelines to achieve ideal texture. Resting the cooked turkey also lets flavors set further while juices redistribute.
Then carve your masterfully seasoned bird and get ready for rave reviews on the most aromatic, flavorful holiday turkey!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here is a step-by-step guide to seasoning a turkey under the skin for foolproof results:
Ingredients:
- 1 12-15 lb turkey
- 4 tbsp softened butter
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp dried sage
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp salt
- 1⁄2 tsp pepper
Directions:
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Rinse turkey inside and out with cold water. Pat extremely dry with paper towels.
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Loosen the skin from the breast meat by gently sliding fingers between skin and meat, separating them while taking care not to tear skin.
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Loosen skin over both whole breasts and down thighs/legs as much as possible.
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In a small bowl, combine softened butter, thyme, sage, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Mix until fully blended into seasoning paste.
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Use hands or spoon to spread seasoned butter evenly under loosened turkey skin, coating breast and thigh meat thoroughly.
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Pat skin to evenly adhere butter and lift wings to apply under them. Spread remainder inside cavity.
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Tie legs together with cooking twine. Tuck wing tips under.
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Roast turkey according to your recipe, basting occasionally, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Let rest 30 minutes before carving.
The result? Turkey brimming with bright lemon and earthy herb flavors in every succulent bite!
Tips for Seasoning Under Turkey Skin
Follow these tips for success when seasoning under the skin:
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Loosen skin carefully to avoid tearing it. Keep attached at some points.
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Soften butter/oil to easily spread flavors evenly under skin.
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Seasonings like aromatics and citrus zest enhance herb flavor impact.
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Distribute seasoning pockets evenly so flavors permeate meat uniformly.
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Pat skin down gently after seasoning to adhere to meat before roasting.
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Use hands and spoon to thoroughly coat all breast and thigh meat under skin with flavors.
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Roast at proper temperature to allow seasonings to permeate meat while keeping it tender and moist.
FAQs About Turkey Seasoning
Here are answers to some common questions about seasoning turkey:
Should you season turkey under the skin?
Yes, seasoning under the skin delivers much deeper flavor infusion into the meat compared to just seasoning the exterior skin.
What’s the best way to season a turkey?
Season under skin with infused herb butter or spice rubs for maximum flavor impact. Also season the cavity, exterior skin, and with aromatics in the roasting pan.
What herbs and spices work best?
Rosemary, thyme, sage are classic herbs. Lemon, lime, orange zest add brightness. Onion, garlic provide aromatic foundation.
Can you use olive oil instead of butter?
Yes, olive oil also works well for spreading flavors evenly under the skin. Use salted butter for the richest flavor.
Should you rub the turkey skin with butter/oil?
Yes, coating the skin with butter or oil helps crisping while basting during roasting.
This year, take your turkey’s flavor to the next level by seasoning under the skin. With incredible tastes and juicy meat throughout, your holiday bird will be the star of the table!
Crack Open a Beer
Just like you might use beer to make Can-Can Chicken or beef brisket, you can use beer to flavor your holiday turkey. Instead of basting your bird with drippings from the pan, baste with your go-to brew. No need to splurge on anything too fancy here, but make sure it’s a good beer that you’d enjoy sipping.
This method might seem a little intimidating, but it packs a serious punch when it comes to boosting your turkey’s flavor. Flavor injectors work by pumping extra ingredients (think broth and melted butter) right into the center of your bird for extra moisture and an extra tasty turkey.
Season Inside the Turkey
Don’t limit your seasoning to just the exterior of your holiday main. Be sure to get your seasoning blend into all the nooks and crannies of the turkey—even on the inside. This will give your roast the most flavor possible.
Instead of filling your bird with stuffing, fill your turkey with aromatics. (News flash: Cooking stuffing inside a turkey can be dangerous.) The basics, like onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage, help lend that traditional Thanksgiving flavor.
Take your aromatics up a notch by adding halved lemons or oranges. The citrus will add a nice brightness to the turkey and keep it perfectly moist.
