This flavorful homemade turkey rub recipe is so simple and delicious, you’ll want to make it to put on everything! Make a big batch and store it in the pantry.
I like to think that there are a million ways to make the best turkey. We play around with our recipes every year and every year we declare the new one “the best”!
We’ve learned a lot, so there is all of that info. If you are bored and just want the recipe, there is a handy jump to recipe button right at the top that will skip all the important info.
The truth is, turkey is like a blank slate waiting to be seasoned and it is up to you, the culinary artist to make that happen. We developed this custom blend of spices to be used alongside either our turkey brine or turkey injection and the simple, 7-ingredient recipe has since gone bonkers.
Just read the comments… or look at how many other bloggers have managed to copy it, and you’ll know it is a winning recipe. The perfect ratios and blend of seasoning, smokiness and salt help being out the natural flavors of turkey and are enough as a standalone flavor, but also mild enough to pair with nearly any gravy or stuffing.
The drippings will be perfectly balanced and ready to use in gravy from drippings. The next bonus- it isn’t just limited to a whole bird. Use this custom spice blend on turkey breast, chicken, pork or even in burgers or on veggies.
The holidays are fast approaching which means it’s almost time to cook up the star of many festive feasts – the turkey! A beautifully browned turkey with tender juicy meat is definitely something to look forward to. But to get there, proper seasoning is key. The right blend of herbs, spices, and aromatics can take your turkey from bland and boring to full of flavor.
If you’re wondering how to pick seasonings that will really make your turkey shine you’re in the right place! Below we’ll recommend 10 of the best herb and spice combinations for turkey and provide tips to get maximum flavor in every bite. Let’s get started!
Why Proper Seasoning Matters
Before jumping into the seasoning suggestions, let’s look at why seasoning is so important for turkey:
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Adds tons of flavor – Turkey alone can be mild and nondescript. Seasonings introduce aroma, depth, and taste.
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Enhances moisture – Herbs, citrus, butter, and oil used in seasoning blends keep the turkey juicy.
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Complements turkey taste – Ingredients like garlic, pepper, thyme, and sage pair perfectly with the flavor of turkey.
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Makes gravy even better – Seasoned turkey drippings create insanely delicious gravy.
Take the time to season your turkey well, and it will pay off with a bird that’s infused with flavor inside and out. Now, let’s get to those top 10 recommendations!
10 Best Turkey Seasoning Combinations
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Rosemary, thyme, sage – This classic herb blend infuses woodsy, savory flavor. Use equal parts dried or fresh.
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Onion powder, garlic powder – An easy mix, but so tasty. Use 1 Tbsp each over a 12-15 lb turkey.
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Lemon, thyme, butter – Bright citrus and thyme mixed into butter keeps turkey moist.
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Rosemary, orange, pepper – Orange zest balances the piney rosemary and cracked pepper.
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Poultry seasoning blend – Look for sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram in the mix.
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Cajun seasoning – Spicy paprika, garlic, onion, cayenne and more add great kick.
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Italian herb mix – Basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, parsley, garlic powder for Italian flair.
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Lemon pepper – Bright citrus and peppery spice complement turkey wonderfully.
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Brown sugar, chili powder – A touch of sweet balances the mild heat.
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Maple syrup, thyme – Brush on maple syrup during roasting for a delicious glaze.
Tips for Maximum Turkey Flavor
To get the most out of your seasoning blend, follow these tips:
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Season under the skin – Get flavor directly into the meat by loosening skin and rubbing seasoning underneath.
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Season the cavity – For seasoned turkey drippings that will make insanely delicious gravy.
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Use butter or oil – Binding seasonings with butter or oil helps them stick to the turkey.
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Season early – Rubbing turkey with spices a day or two before cooking lets flavors permeate.
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Stuff aromatics inside – Stuffing the cavity with onion, apple, herbs, citrus etc. adds bonus flavor.
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Let turkey rest before carving – Waiting 15-20 minutes before slicing allows seasoning and juices to redistribute.
Pick an herb blend that sounds good to you, and follow these tips for a spectacularly seasoned, flavorful holiday turkey! Enjoy.
How Much Seasoning for Turkey?
Turkeys don’t come in nice, even weights and therefore you’ll need a different amount of seasoning for every single bird. The volume isn’t a perfect science, so don’t stress, just use this a basic jumping off point.
As for seasoning per pound, I like to use 1 1/2 tablespoon for every 3 pounds. This recipe makes 4 1/2 tablespoons and is good for a 10-14 pound turkey.
Someone in your family watching salt? Make a low-sodium turkey rub by dialing back the salt volume. The other ingredients will compensate for the lack of salt.
I also highly recommend using Kosher salt due to its large grain size, it ends up tasting less salty and sticks better.
Do not, under any circumstances use table salt. Iodized salt will make your bird taste metallic. It will also make your bird more salty since the grains are smaller, you end up getting a lot more salt.
Like spice? Increase heat. You are getting the idea, right?
Spices for the perfect turkey can be cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes or any chile powder. An ancho chile powder will give off a smoky flavor, while ghost pepper powder will make your nose run. It all depends on personal preference. My new favorite is aleppo pepper.
Use this simple seasoning mixture as a base and then come up with your own special blend. Here are a few more ideas. Remember that flaky dried herbs will have a higher chance of burning if you plan to fry your flavorful turkey. Be creative!
- Lemon Zest
- Orange Zest
- Coriander
- Celery Salt
- Fresh herbs
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Ground Cloves
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Tarragon
- Poultry Seasoning
- Herbs de Provence
- Nutmeg
- Allspice
- Ground ginger
- Ground cardamom
- Garam Masala
- Dried mushrooms (ground)
- Cinnamon
- Smoked salt
So… STOP… and take 3 minutes (yes THREE MINUTES) to make your own and save your $5.99. You won’t regret it! And then think of all the magical things you can spend your six bucks on.
- Mix together the savory flavors in a small bowl.
- Store until ready to use in an airtight container.
- Sleep well knowing you’ve just made the best seasoning.
After you make you make your own homemade turkey rub, you can smoke it, fry it, roast it or even air fry turkey! Yes, they just started making air fryers large enough for an entire turkey!
How to Season a Turkey
Wondering how to season a turkey? Well, the answer really lies in how you plan to cook your bird. Be sure to get your seasoning blend into all the nooks and crannies of your whole turkey, even on the inside or if you plan to use a stuffing. Get all around those turkey legs, un the turkey’s skin and dig deep into the cavity for great flavor all around.
Fried Turkey: If you are going to fry a turkey, you need to use a dry rub, which means no butter or olive oil. Just rub on the skin of the turkey that has been blotted dry with a paper towel. Here are more detailed instructions on how to fry a turkey.
Smoked Turkey: Don’t worry, it will still stick to a dry turkey. In some cases, it actually holds on better. Think about rubbing a pork tenderloin or chicken, in those cases the meat is also blotted dry. You’d follow these same instructions for a smoked turkey and here are instructions for a pellet grill smoked turkey cooking times.
Roast Turkey: If you plan to roast your bird, you’ll want a wet rub, which means using a fat like olive oil or butter mixed with the spice rub. It basically makes it into a compound butter.
I use about 1/2 cup of butter for a 12 pound turkey. Measurements don’t have to be exact. Butter is delicious, use a lot of it, but also beware that it will just melt off into the juices, so you’ll likely need to baste your heart away while cooking to keep it nice and buttery and keep the spices from just melting off. Clarified butter won’t burn at temps above 350°F, so this would depend on the recipe you plan to use.
To prevent the spices and butter from melting off, you can also rub the turkey under the skin so it doesn’t get away. RUNAWAY FLAVOR is a no-no.
To do this, start with a piece of skin around an edge and gently massage the skin up using your fingers. It might seem stuck, but it will loosen, I promise!
Use all those pan juices from the roasting pan and make a fabulous turkey gravy. No need to add extra salt and pepper since it is already in the seasoning!
The Only Turkey Recipe You Need
FAQ
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 can I add to turkey to make it taste better?
… cavity now vacant, you can add aromatics like a quartered onion, a few smashed cloves of garlic, orange, apple, or lemon wedges, and a couple of hearty herbsNov 7, 2024
What spices are good for roasting turkey?
Generously sprinkle the entire bird with salt, freshly ground black pepper, onion powder, granulated garlic powder, tarragon, parsley flakes, thyme, basil and paprika. Pour about 1/4″ to 1/2″ of chicken broth in the bottom of the roasting pan, being careful not to wash any of the seasonings off the turkey.
What is the secret to a moist turkey?
Baste It Another key to a delicious, juicy turkey is to baste as it cooks. Basting is also the key to delicious pan drippings and gravy! I love the combination of melted butter, chicken broth, and a little bit of cooking sherry for this turkey. Rich and flavorful, just as Thanksgiving and the holidays should be.