Look no further for the BEST turkey seasoning recipe you will ever make! The combination of herbs and spices in this rub will flavor your turkey to perfection and it will be your go-to turkey rub.
All the classic herbs and spices of Thanksgiving dinner are packed into one perfect blend for your bird! Your turkey will take on the most amazing flavors. I love adding flavorful seasonings to make any meat or poultry taste incredible. Try this baked chicken, this delicious chicken recipe, or my favorite air fryer pork chops for tasty seasoned meat.
This turkey rub is a combination of aromatic dried herbs and savory spices. I love the blend of thyme, rosemary, and sage because they are all meant to be together on a turkey. There is just something about their complementary flavors that make Thanksgiving turkey magic!
Rubbing these flavors into your turkey will guarantee the tastiest bird your guests will ever have. I guarantee that you will always be asked to be in charge of the turkey after everyone tastes this dry rub. And if you’re asked to be in charge of the turkey, you can make the meal complete with my Grandma’s stuffing, my Dad’s potatoes, and these easy 1-hour rolls!
The best part about this turkey seasoning rub is that you most likely have all the herbs in your cupboard! These delicious herbs and spices are the perfect combination to enhance the flavors of your turkey. You will LOVE the taste of your turkey and this will be your go-to rub recipe for every turkey you cook.
As Thanksgiving approaches, turkey takes center stage But plain roasted turkey can be dry and flavorless The secret to moist, delicious turkey is to infuse it with fresh herbs. Herbs add aroma, taste and moisture to turkey meat without much effort.
I’ve experimented with all kinds of herbs over the years to find the perfect blend for roasted turkey. Here are my top herb choices and how to use them to make your holiday bird outstanding.
Why Add Herbs to Turkey
Herbs impart natural flavor and aroma that brings out the best in mild poultry like turkey Their fresh fragrance and taste get infused right into the meat when applied under the skin This also helps keep the turkey juicy by protecting it from drying out.
Herbs provide big flavor without adding lots of fat, calories or sodium like butter or salt. With so many varieties to choose from, you can create unique herb blends to make your turkey one-of-a-kind.
Best Herbs for Flavoring Turkey
After years of testing, these are my favorite herbs for maximum turkey flavor
Rosemary
Rosemary’s distinctive pine-like fragrance is a perfect match for turkey. Its robust taste seasons the meat without masking its flavor. Use whole sprigs in the cavity and ground rosemary in a herb butter.
Thyme
Thyme has a subtle lemon and mint aroma that enhances turkey’s natural flavor. The earthy undertones complement poultry without overpowering. Use fresh sprigs or dried thyme.
Sage
Sage’s warm, slightly peppery flavor accents turkey wonderfully. Its savory qualities balance the meat’s sweetness. Rubbed sage works great.
Parsley
Bright, fresh parsley adds a lively counterpoint. The mild peppery notes blend without dominating. Mix it into herb butter.
Marjoram
Marjoram has a delicate, sweet citrus fragrance. It harmonizes nicely with other herbs and turkey. Use dried marjoram in herb rubs.
Savory
Similar to marjoram with subtle peppery hints. Use dried savory in herb seasoning mixes.
Oregano
Oregano has a sweet, aromatic taste. Enhance other herbs without overwhelming the turkey flavor.
Bay Leaves
Bay leaves have a subtle fruity, tea-like essence. Their aroma infuses the turkey without strong flavor.
Tarragon
Tarragon’s licorice fragrance accents turkey wonderfully. The anise flavor complements without dominating.
How to Use Herbs for Turkey
With so many herb options, here are easy ways to get maximum flavor:
Herb Butter
Blend chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, marjoram and parsley into room temperature butter. Gently loosen the turkey’s skin and spread butter underneath to baste the meat as it cooks.
Dry Rub
Make a savory blend using dried rosemary, thyme, sage, marjoram, savory and oregano. Massage the rub under the skin and cavity for fantastic flavor.
Stuff the Cavity
Fill the cavity with fresh sprigs of rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley and lemon before roasting. The aroma permeates the meat.
Add to Roasting Pan
Toss whole herb sprigs in the roasting pan to infuse the pan drippings for flavorful gravy.
Compound Butter
Herb butter provides incredible basting and flavor. Combine chopped thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley, marjoram and softened butter.
Herb-Roasted Turkey Tips
Follow these simple tips for the most flavorful and moist herb-roasted turkey:
-
Apply herb butter generously under the skin and all over the exterior.
-
Create a savory rub with dried herbs to massage into every crevice.
-
Stuff the cavity with fresh rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley and lemon.
-
Tuck bay leaves into the cavity for subtle enhancement.
-
Roast uncovered at 450°F for 45 minutes to brown, then lower heat to 350°F.
-
Baste every 30 minutes with the pan drippings.
-
Cook until the thigh temperature reaches 165°F.
-
Let rest for 30 minutes before carving for juicy meat.
Sample Herb Butter and Rub Recipes
Herb Butter
1 stick softened butter
1 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme
1 Tbsp chopped fresh sage
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp lemon zest
1 garlic clove, minced
Dry Herb Rub
1 Tbsp dried rosemary
2 tsp dried thyme
1 Tbsp dried sage
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1⁄2 tsp salt
1⁄2 tsp pepper
These herb combinations infuse your turkey with sensational flavor from the inside out. For the best herb-roasted turkey you’ve ever tasted, give these fresh herb ideas a try. Your Thanksgiving table will be graced with a beautiful, aromatic golden bird that is moist, tender and full of flavor.
How To Store Turkey Seasoning
This homemade turkey rub is a custom blend of seasonings for your Thanksgiving turkey. Once you make this at home and see how delicious it is, you will never buy turkey seasoning at the store again! Homemade seasonings are the best because the herbs are fresher and you can customize the flavors.
- In a Sealed Container: Once you have mixed your ingredients together then store the seasoning in an airtight container. Keep in a cool, dark place then store for up to 2 months.
How to Make the Best Seasoning For Turkey
Making this turkey seasoning is the easiest part of your Thanksgiving dinner! It only takes 5 minutes to put it together, and you will love how fast it is. The best part is that you can make this dry rub ahead of time because it will be ready to go when you need it. Anything that you can make before Thanksgiving day is a win in my book!
- Combine Ingredients: Place all of the ingredients into a bowl and whisk to combine.
- Rub: Rub the entire seasoning mix all over a 10-13 pound turkey making sure to get the top and bottom. Then cook your seasoned turkey according to your recipe.
- Store: If you aren’t using it right away, store it in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
Homemade seasonings are my very favorite because you have complete control over your end result! You can change up the heat level, add additional flavor, or even double the recipe so that you always have some on hand. Here are a few ideas on how to change things up with this turkey seasoning.
- Make Ahead: I like to make this turkey rub a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving so that it’s ready to go! It’s great to make a big batch of seasoning because you have it on hand anytime you need to season poultry, meat, or fish.
- How Much Seasoning To Use: This recipe makes about 1/3 cup and is good to rub over an entire 10-14 pound turkey.
- Use Dried Herbs, Not Fresh: Dried herbs in your spice rack have a much longer shelf life than using fresh herbs. Fresh herbs tend to have a higher moisture content and can lead to spoiling and growing mold early on.
- Less salt: If you find it a tad too salty, then reduce the salt a little bit at a time. Kosher salt is best because you can control the salt flavor better than table salt.
- Make it Spicy: Add some spice to your seasoning with a little cayenne pepper or chili powder.
- Make it a Little Sweet: Try adding 1 tablespoon of brown sugar to the rub. It adds a touch of sweetness and caramelizes a bit.
How To Put Herbs Under Turkey Skin
FAQ
What are the best herbs to use for turkey?
Combine the butter, sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
What are the best aromatics for inside a turkey?
For example, apples, carrots, onions, rosemary sprigs, thyme, sage, and bay leaves. First, place the quartered or chopped fruits and vegetables with the herbs in a shallow sauce pan or skillet. Bring to a soft boil with some water to open up the aromas. Then, place the aromatics in the cavity of the turkey.
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.
What does Gordon Ramsay put in his turkey?
- 1 free-range turkey (ideally Norfolk Black or Bronze), about 5–5.5kg.
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- 2 onions, peeled and halved.
- 1 lemon, halved.
- 1 head of garlic, halved horizontally.
- 6 bay leaves.
- olive oil, to drizzle.
- 8 rashers of smoked streaky bacon.