This is the BEST turkey seasoning recipe you will ever make! The mix of herbs and spices in this rub will make your turkey taste great, and it will become your go-to turkey rub.
All of your favorite Thanksgiving herbs and spices are mixed together to make the perfect blend for your bird. It will soak up all the wonderful flavors. I love adding flavorful seasonings to make any meat or poultry taste incredible. This baked chicken, this tasty chicken recipe, or my favorite pork chops cooked in the air fryer will all make you happy.
This turkey rub is a combination of aromatic dried herbs and savory spices. Sage, rosemary, and thyme all go well together on a turkey, which is why I love the mix. 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 promise that after everyone tries this dry rub, they will always want you to cook the turkey. If you’re in charge of the turkey, you can make the whole meal with these easy 1-hour rolls, my grandmother’s stuffing, and my dad’s potatoes.
The best thing about this turkey seasoning rub is that you probably already have all of the herbs you need. These tasty herbs and spices will make your turkey taste even better. This rub recipe will become your favorite for every turkey you cook because it makes the meat taste so good.
Turkey is a lean, mild flavored meat that pairs perfectly with aromatic herbs and spices The right combination of herbs and spices can take your turkey from bland to spectacular!
When seasoning a turkey, most people immediately think of the classics like sage, rosemary and thyme. While these are great options there are so many more herbs and spices that complement turkey wonderfully and are worth trying.
In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through the best herbs, spices, aromatics, and seasoning blends to use with turkey, along with tips on how to use them. Let’s get started!
The Best Herbs for Turkey
Rosemary
Rosemary’s piney, woodsy flavor is a perfect match for turkey. It adds a lovely aroma while cooking too. Use it in a rub, compound butter, or stuff sprigs in the cavity. Goes well with sage, thyme, garlic, lemon.
Thyme
Thyme has a gentle minty flavor that pairs nicely with poultry. For turkey, lemon thyme adds a brightness. Use in rubs, compound butters or stuff sprigs in the cavity. Pairs well with sage, rosemary, garlic, lemon.
Sage
A holiday classic. Sage’s warm, peppery flavor offsets turkey’s slight gaminess. Fry leaves for garnish or add to stuffing. Pairs well with thyme, rosemary, garlic, onion, pepper.
Parsley
Bright, fresh parsley balances heavier flavors. Use flat leaf parsley for its robust flavor. Sprinkle over stuffing or finished turkey for color.
Oregano
Sweet, slightly minty oregano adds warmth. Use in rubs, compound butter or stuff in cavity. Pairs well with garlic, lemon, pepper, paprika.
Marjoram
Subtle sweetness and gentle pine flavor. Use in compound butter under skin before roasting or add to cavity. Pairs well with thyme, rosemary, sage.
Savory
Savory has a peppery, woodsy flavor similar to thyme. Use in rubs or compound butter. Pairs well with thyme, rosemary, sage.
Tarragon
Tarragon’s anise-like flavor gives turkey a sophisticated twist. Use in rubs, compound butter or add sprigs to cavity.
Bay Leaves
Bay leaves have a subtle menthol, pine flavor. Add whole leaves to cavity or pan drippings for flavor.
The Best Spices for Turkey
Pepper
Freshly cracked black pepper adds warmth and spice. Essential for enhancing other herbs and spices.
Paprika
Paprika lends a subtle smokiness and red color. Use smoked Spanish paprika for the best flavor.
Garlic & Onion Powder
Essential aromatics to round out any turkey spice blend. Use garlic powder or fresh minced garlic.
Chili Powder
For those who like heat! Add warmth and smokiness with ancho or chipotle chili powder.
Cumin
Earthy, nutty cumin is delicious on turkey, especially with lime, garlic, chili.
Curry Powder
Warming spice blend including turmeric, coriander, cumin, ginger. Add to rubs or marinades.
Cardamom
Sweet, floral cardamom adds unique, exotic flavor to turkey dishes.
Cinnamon
A touch of cinnamon brings warmth and complements fruit glazes/chutneys.
Nutmeg & Allspice
Warming spices that pair well with cream or fruit-based turkey dishes.
Ginger & Turmeric
Brighten flavors with the zing of fresh ginger and earthiness of turmeric.
Other Turkey Seasoning Ideas
Compound Butter
Blend herbs and spices into soft butter and spread under turkey skin and over exterior before roasting.
Dry Rub
Make a blend of dried herbs, spices, salt, pepper, garlic powder to rub on turkey. Let sit overnight.
Fresh Herbs
Place herb sprigs (rosemary, thyme, sage) inside cavity or scatter over roasting pan.
Stuff Aromatics in Cavity
Place halved lemons, onions, garlic cloves, and herb sprigs in cavity while roasting.
Brine
Soak turkey in salted flavorful liquid before roasting to infuse flavor and retain moisture.
Marinade
Soak turkey in an acidic liquid with herbs and spices to tenderize meat and add flavor.
Infused Oil
Coat turkey with olive oil infused with herbs and garlic. Brush over skin while roasting.
Herb and Spice Pairings for Turkey
- Rosemary, thyme, sage
- Garlic, paprika, oregano
- Lemon, parsley, thyme
- Sage, onion, pepper
- Chili powder, cumin, oregano
- Curry powder, ginger, cinnamon
- Thyme, rosemary, bay leaves
Tips for Using Herbs and Spices on Turkey
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For intense flavor, rub spice mix directly under skin as well as over exterior.
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If using dried herbs, rub sage is better than ground. Dried bay leaves work best.
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For fresh herbs, chop finely or purée into a paste before using in compound butter.
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Let turkey marinate overnight after seasoning for best flavor infusion.
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Add fresh herbs and aromatics to cavity and pan during the last 30 minutes of roasting.
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Use dried ground spices judiciously as they can scorch if exposed to direct heat too long.
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For stuffed turkeys, add fresh chopped herbs to the stuffing mix.
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Save leftover fresh herb sprigs to make a flavorful turkey stock.
With this guide, you’ll never be stuck for ideas on how to perfectly season your turkey! Experiment with new herb and spice combinations to discover your favorite flavors. Just remember – when it comes to turkey, the more seasoning the better.
How to Make the Best Seasoning For Turkey
The easiest part of Thanksgiving is making this turkey seasoning. It only takes 5 minutes, and you’ll love how fast it is. This dry rub is great because you can make it ahead of time and have it ready to use when you need it. Anything that you can make before Thanksgiving day is a win in my book!.
- Mix the Ingredients: Put all of the ingredients in a bowl and use a whisk to mix them.
- Rub: Coat a 10- to 13-pound turkey with the seasoning mix, making sure to cover the top and bottom. Then cook your seasoned turkey according to your recipe.
- Keep it in a sealed container for up to two months if you’re not going to use it right away.
With homemade seasonings, you have full control over the end result. You can change how spicy they are, add more flavor, or even double the recipe to 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 few weeks ahead of time so it’s ready to use. It’s helpful to make a lot of seasoning because you can use it on chicken, fish, or meat whenever you need to.
- This recipe makes about 1/3 cup of seasoning, which is enough to rub all over a 10–14-pound turkey.
- Don’t use fresh herbs; use dried ones instead. Dried herbs last much longer in your spice rack than fresh ones. Fresh herbs usually have a lot of water in them, which can make them go bad and grow mold quickly.
- Not as much salt: If you think it’s too salty, slowly cut back on the salt. Kosher salt is better than table salt because you can better control how salty it is.
- Make it Spicy: Add some cayenne pepper or chili powder to your seasoning to make it spicier.
- Add some sweetness by mixing in 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. It adds a touch of sweetness and caramelizes a bit.
How To Store Turkey Seasoning
This homemade turkey rub is a custom blend of seasonings for your Thanksgiving turkey. Make this at home and taste how good it is; you’ll never buy turkey seasoning again! Seasonings you make yourself are better because the herbs are fresher and the flavors can be changed to suit your tastes.
- If you want to keep the seasoning fresh, mix the ingredients together first and then put them in a container that won’t let air in. Store for up to two months in a cool, dark place.
Herbs for Roasting Turkey – Thanksgiving Herbs and Spices
FAQ
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