Save yourself worrying if your turkey will be delicious enough for your Thanksgiving dinner by using this easy turkey seasoning! It’s made with a few common ingredients in a few simple steps. Just sprinkle it on your prepared bird for a moist and juicy roasted turkey worthy of your holiday table!
Though you can brine the turkey before seasoning, you don’t need to for incredibly succulent meat when using this blend. Let the turkey rest at room temperature for an hour after seasoning to allow the seasonings time to start flavoring the meat. Use any leftover spice blend to flavor ground turkey recipes or season a whole chicken. For more essential Thanksgiving turkey prep, check out my guides on how to use a turkey brine, how to cook a turkey, and how to carve a turkey.
Salt — for the best results, use coarse Kosher salt. This variety is commonly used in dry rubs, but you can substitute coarse sea salt or table salt if needed. Keep in mind certain brands have a different amount of saltiness because the salt grains can be heavier or lighter. I use Morton’s kosher salt for this recipe. If you use a brand like Diamond Crystal, you will need twice as much salt for the same flavor.
Dried Herbs — dried thyme, rosemary, and sage add an herbal depth of flavor commonly found in poultry seasoning blends. This gives the seasoning blend, and therefore the turkey, a deep savory flavor.
Dried Seasonings — in particular, garlic powder, onion, powder, and paprika round out this flavorful turkey seasoning. Use sweet paprika for earthy notes or smoked paprika for a rich, smoky finish.
Turkey breast is a lean versatile protein that takes well to all kinds of seasonings. While turkey breast has a mild flavor on its own, the right blend of spices can make it irresistible. Whether roasting a whole turkey breast or cooking cutlets seasoning is key for juicy, flavor-packed results.
There are many possibilities when it comes to what spices to use on turkey breast, Here are 12 spice combos that will elevate your turkey from bland to beautiful,
1. Classic Herb Blend
A mixture of rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley gives turkey breast a classic flavor profile perfect for holiday meals or anytime. The woodsy notes of rosemary and sage pair nicely with the lemon-mint of thyme and brightness of parsley. For even more flavor, rub some of the herb blend under the skin. Roast the seasoned turkey breast in a 325°F oven until cooked through.
2. Lemon and Garlic
Tie together lemon and garlic for a bright, aromatic turkey breast. Mince garlic and finely grate lemon zest. Mix together with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Coat the turkey breast with the lemony garlic paste. Roast in the oven, basting occasionally with pan juices. For extra lemon flavor, place lemon wedges inside the cavity. Squeeze roasted lemons over turkey slices.
3. Cumin and Chili Powder
For Southwestern flair, coat turkey breast with a blend of cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and just a touch of oregano. The earthy cumin and mild heat from chili powder give turkey breast a tasty Tex-Mex twist. Grill or bake the seasoned turkey until no longer pink inside. Serve with avocado, peppers, crispy tortilla strips, cilantro, and lime.
4. Italian Seasoning
An Italian herb blend of basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme brings bold Mediterranean flavors to turkey breast. Mix Italian seasoning with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Rub it all over boneless turkey cutlets. Sauté the cutlets in a hot skillet until cooked through. Serve topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. Fresh basil leaves make a lovely garnish.
5. Curry Powder
For Indian-inspired turkey breast, turn to curry powder. Mix it with garlic, ginger, yogurt, lime juice, and cumin. Use the sauce to marinate turkey cutlets for 30 minutes or more. Cook the turkey in a skillet until no longer pink inside. Garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve with rice pilaf and chutney.
6. Chinese Five Spice
Five spice powder, with its blend of cinnamon, star anise, fennel, clove, and Sichuan peppercorns, adds intrigue to turkey breast. Make five spice rub by mixing the powder with brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Brush the mixture onto turkey breast before roasting or grilling. Five spice turkey is amazing in tacos or stir fries.
7. Pumpkin Pie Spice
Around Thanksgiving, bring the flavors of pumpkin pie to roasted turkey breast. Make a pumpkin pie spice blend from cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and ginger. Mix with brown sugar and maple syrup to coat the turkey. The sweet spice notes complement the savory turkey beautifully.
8. Jerk Seasoning
For an exciting Caribbean twist, use jerk seasoning. Purchase pre-made jerk seasoning or make your own blend of chili peppers, allspice, thyme, garlic, and more. Coat turkey breast with jerk seasoning paste before grilling or baking. The spicy, smoky flavors make terrific turkey tacos.
9. Moroccan Spices
Transport your turkey breast to Morocco with ras el hanout. This spice mix contains warm notes of cumin, cinnamon, clove, coriander, and chili peppers. Blend ras el hanout with cumin, garlic, lemon, and olive oil. Brush it onto turkey cutlets, then grill or pan sear them. Serve over couscous with chickpeas and raisins.
10. Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar
For delicious lacquered turkey, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a simmer to dissolve the sugar, then let cool. Brush the glaze over turkey breast during roasting or grilling. The salty sweet glaze gives a lovely caramelized crust.
11. Creole Seasoning
Capturing the essence of New Orleans, Creole seasoning packs flavor into turkey breast. This spice blend contains garlic, black pepper, onion, thyme, basil, and oregano. Coat turkey with Creole seasoning before baking or grilling. Pair it with dirty rice and collard greens.
12. Bacon and Sage
Finally, for a savory choice, drape turkey breast with bacon. Sprinkle dried sage over the bacon. As it roasts, the bacon fat bastes the turkey, keeping it moist and infusing sage flavor. Frying some extra bacon to crumble on top takes this turkey over the top.
With endless herbs, spices, rubs, and global seasonings at your disposal, you can give turkey breast amazing flavor. Explore new spice combinations to discover your go-to way to season turkey. Before you know it, your family may request turkey more than chicken!
How Much Seasoning Do I Need?
Generally, you need one tablespoon of the seasoning blend for every two pounds of whole turkey. This recipe makes seven tablespoons of the rub, making it ideal for a 12-15 pound turkey, but you can double the seasoning recipe depending on the size of your whole bird. If you use separate pieces like turkey wings or turkey legs, use 1-2 teaspoons of the spice blend per piece. For a larger cut, like a single breast, use 1 tablespoon.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- Use fresh seasonings. For the best flavor, use dried herbs and ground spices within their expiration date. Past this point, the seasonings can lose their flavor and potency.
- Swap fresh herbs. You can make this turkey seasoning recipe with fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage instead of dried. But, it will not be pantry-safe for storage, so I recommend only using fresh herbs if you plan to use all of the seasoning mix immediately. If you do use fresh herbs, use double the amount called for in the recipe, as dried herbs are more potent than fresh.
- Prep the turkey according to your recipe. If you are following a recipe for roasted turkey, prep the meat as directed and simply swap in this blend to season it. If you aren’t following a recipe, be sure to brush the meat generously with olive oil, melted butter, or another fat. Not only does the fat add flavor and help achieve browned and crispy skin, but it also helps the seasoning blend adhere. You will need 4-6 tablespoons of olive oil or melted butter to coat a 12-15 pound turkey.
- Prep it ahead. Reduce holiday meal stress by making the spice mixture in advance. Prepare it up to 3 months ahead and store it in an airtight container at room temperature until needed.
- Optional variations. Add sweet, caramelized flavor to the homemade turkey rub by stirring in 1-2 tablespoons of packed light brown sugar. Grind red and white peppercorns instead of black for light and floral peppery notes.
Yes, this makes a fantastic dry rub. To use it as one, rub the seasoning blend liberally over the turkey and refrigerate it uncovered in a roasting pan for 12 to 24 hours before roasting or smoking the turkey. It’s also a delicious seasoning on Instant Pot ribs!
Though you can leave out the salt to meet dietary requirements or preferences, I do not recommend it. Not only does the salt add flavor to the meat, but it locks in moisture and helps the skin caramelize.
To add heat, swap in spicy paprika or a spicy chili powder for its sweet counterpart. Or, stir in cayenne or chili pepper flakes to taste.
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
What seasonings are good on a turkey breast?
Mix 1/4 cup butter, garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic and herb seasoning, salt, and black pepper together in a bowl. Place turkey breast with skin-side up into a roasting pan. Loosen skin with your fingers; brush 1/2 of the butter mixture over the turkey breast and underneath the skin.
What spices to put on turkey before cooking?
- Add the salt, dried thyme, rosemary, sage, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to a small bowl.
- Stir until all of the spices are combined and evenly distributed.
- To season a turkey, generously brush a 12-15 pound turkey with olive oil or melted butter.
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Should you put spices on turkey breast before cooking?
Rubbing spices onto your raw turkey breast before cooking serves a few important purposes. First, seasoning provides essential flavor. Turkey breast meat is quite mild on its own, so spices are key for making it more exciting to eat. Second, the seasoning helps form a flavorful, crispy crust on the outside of the cooked meat.
What spices go well with turkey breast?
Go for classic holiday flavors: Ingredients like sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley, garlic and onion are perfect for pairing with turkey. This combo just screams Thanksgiving! Consider some heat: Spices like cayenne, red pepper flakes or paprika will provide a subtle kick. But go easy since turkey breast meat is delicate.
How do I make my own turkey breast seasoning?
When compiling your own signature turkey breast seasoning, there are a few guiding principles to keep in mind: Go for classic holiday flavors: Ingredients like sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley, garlic and onion are perfect for pairing with turkey. This combo just screams Thanksgiving!
Why is seasoning important for turkey breast?
First, seasoning provides essential flavor. Turkey breast meat is quite mild on its own, so spices are key for making it more exciting to eat. Second, the seasoning helps form a flavorful, crispy crust on the outside of the cooked meat. Finally, massaging spices into the turkey breast will tenderize it and keep it nice and juicy as it cooks.
What spices to put on a Turkey before cooking?
When cooking a turkey, many people wonder what spices to put on it before cooking. There are many different options, and it really depends on your personal preference. Some popular spices to put on a turkey before cooking include salt, pepper, sage, thyme, and rosemary. These spices can be put on the bird directly, or in a marinade.
How do you spice up a turkey breast?
Stick to powdered dried spices: Ground dried herbs and spices will adhere best to the turkey breast, rather than fresh ingredients. Use savory aromatics: Onion powder, garlic powder and paprika will make your turkey breast smell absolutely amazing! Finish with salt and pepper: Kosher salt and black pepper are essential for overall seasoning.