Looking for tips on how to season ground turkey? After trying this, youll never need another ground turkey seasoning recipe, it is so flavorful and easy!
Ground turkey is the base of many easy dinner recipes and its less expensive than beef. You will love how easy it is to make the BEST ground turkey seasoned to perfection. Its easy to get a healthy dinner on the table when you have this on hand.
I have made this ground turkey seasoning recipe time and time again, and its foolproof! It tastes delicious alone but can be added to sauces, salads, casseroles, etc.
If you love cooking with ground turkey, a few of our favorite recipes to use this meat in are our Healthy and Delicious Enchiladas. You can find all our favorite dinner recipes here!
Cooking a flavorful and juicy turkey can seem intimidating, but it’s easier than you think with the right seasoning techniques. The key is knowing when and how to season your turkey to infuse it with flavor inside and out. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to perfectly season turkey for any cooking method.
When to Season Turkey
When you apply the seasoning makes a big difference in how deeply it penetrates the meat Seasoning right before cooking will only flavor the exterior, while seasoning in advance gives time for the flavors to be fully absorbed
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Season at least 24 hours in advance for the deepest, most intense flavor Brining or dry rubbing a day or two before is ideal
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Season 2-4 hours before cooking if you’re short on time The flavors will still have a chance to soak in
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Season just before cooking for immediate flavor on the surface. Best for basic seasoning.
For a fully flavored bird from the skin to the bone, aim to season at least the day before if possible.
Seasoning Methods for Turkey
There are several techniques you can use to bring out the natural flavor in turkey meat:
Brining
Soaking the turkey in a seasoned saltwater solution deeply seasons the meat and helps it stay juicy. You can brine for 12-48 hours depending on the size. Add aromatics like citrus, herbs, and spices to the brine for extra flavor.
Dry Rub
Rubbing a spice mix directly onto the meat and under the skin adds incredible flavor. Let it penetrate in the fridge for 24 hours before roasting.
Wet Marinade
Soaking turkey in an acidic marinade both tenderizes the meat and infuses flavor. It’s perfect for grilled and roasted turkey.
Stuffing
Filling the cavity with aromatics like onions, garlic, citrus, and herbs adds subtle flavor from the inside out.
Compound Butter
Rubbing flavored butter under the skin and on the surface keeps the meat moist and adds richness. Baste with compound butter while cooking too.
Oil-Based Rubs
Coating the turkey with an oil-based spice rub gives a flavorful, moist crust when roasted.
Basting
Basting while cooking with pan juices, butter, or flavored liquids maintains moisture and enhances flavor.
Choosing Complementary Seasonings
The seasoning method you choose will impact the final flavor, so select seasonings that pair well with each technique:
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Brining – Citrus, brown sugar, garlic, onions, peppercorns, bay leaves, rosemary
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Dry rub – Smoky paprika, thyme, oregano, chili powder, cumin, brown sugar
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Wet marinade – Lemon juice, lime juice, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, olive oil, chili peppers
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Stuffing – Onions, garlic, lemon, lime, fresh herbs like sage, thyme, rosemary
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Basting – Chicken or turkey stock, melted butter, fresh herbs
Matching Seasoning and Cooking Methods
Make sure to match the seasoning technique to the cooking method for the best results:
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Roasting – Dry rubs, compound butters, and aromatic stuffing work well to create a flavorful crust and tender meat.
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Grilling – Marinades or basting help keep the turkey from drying out on the grill. An oil-based rub also adds nice charred flavor.
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Smoking – Use a dry rub up to 2 days before to allow the wood smoke flavor to penetrate the meat.
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Frying – Brine first to infuse flavor and keep the meat juicy inside the crispy fried coating.
Tips for Perfectly Seasoned Turkey
Follow these tips for turkey that’s bursting with flavor in every bite:
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Pat turkey dry before seasoning to help flavors stick.
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Loosen the skin from the breast meat to rub seasoning underneath.
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Season the cavity, exterior, and underside for full coverage.
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Refrigerate brined or rubbed turkey overnight before cooking.
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Reduce added salt if brining, since the turkey absorbs a lot of salt.
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Avoid overcooking to keep the turkey moist and flavorful.
With the right technique and seasoning combinations, you can have incredibly delicious turkey year round that’s never bland or dry. Now that you know how to maximize flavor with smart seasoning, get ready to enjoy tender, juicy turkey anytime. What flavor profiles are you excited to try?
HOW TO SEASON GROUND TURKEY
- Heat olive oil over medium-high, add chopped onion to the pan, and cook until tender.
- Next, add ground turkey and garlic. Stir.
- Add seasonings and mix.
- Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until meat is no longer pink and most liquid has evaporated.
- Enjoy it in tacos, spaghetti sauce, chili, etc.
Tips for Ground Turkey Seasoning
- Buy ground turkey when its on sale at the grocery store and cook it with this seasoning. Store in a regular freezer or a deep freezer if you have one.
- Season and cook the meat, let it cool, and then separate it into quart-sized plastic freezer bags. You can also use gallon-sized bags, but I like quart-sized because they hold about one pound of turkey, which is the perfect amount for our family.
- One secret to getting a really good flavor is to sauté onions and garlic before adding the uncooked meat.
- Using pre-chopped frozen onions works well. Rinse and thaw frozen onions in a colander first to drain the excess water.
- Ground turkey browns and tastes the best when cooked in a heavy pan like an iron skillet, so I recommend using one if you have it.
The Only Turkey Recipe You Need
FAQ
What is the best seasoning for turkey meat?
The combination of dried thyme and sage with lemon pepper and smoky paprika brings such a dynamic flavor to the bird. Then, there’s brown sugar. Sugar may seem like an unusual ingredient for seasoning a turkey, but it’s a complete game-changer.
What should you season your turkey with?
- Salt — for the best results, use coarse Kosher salt. …
- Dried Herbs — dried thyme, rosemary, and sage add an herbal depth of flavor commonly found in poultry seasoning blends. …
- Dried Seasonings — in particular, garlic powder, onion, powder, and paprika round out this flavorful turkey seasoning.
How do you make turkey meat taste good?
Spices: Use spices like garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika. You can also add a bit of cumin for warmth. Herbs: Fresh or dried herbs like thyme, oregano, or rosemary can help round out the flavor. Browning: Cook the turkey over medium-high heat to achieve a nice brown crust.
Should you season ground turkey before cooking?
You don’t need to season lean ground type of meat before cooking. However, you can marinate ground turkey for a turkey burger or turkey meatballs.