We are always in charge of the turkey for Thanksgiving Day and I swear it’s because no matter how we cook our turkey, we coat it in a thick layer of this homemade turkey seasoning.
Our favorite thing to do is to make homemade turkey gravy out of the drippings because the spices create the most amazing gravy flavor. So good that my grandma said it tastes like her favorite gravy from the grocery store deli
Whether you’re cooking a full Thanksgiving turkey or a smaller turkey tenderloin for Thanksgiving, we’ve used this very turkey seasoning on almost all cuts of turkey and they always come out some flavorful!
This turkey seasoning recipe is one of our most popular Thanksgiving recipes and rightfully so. We use this turkey seasoning every year to season our Thanksgiving turkey and it’s truly what makes it so amazing.
It’s savory, a little bit smokey, and slightly sweet. It combines some of the best common spices such as garlic powder, thyme, and oregano to create one amazing turkey dry rub.
“This dry rub was AHHHMAZING! the house smelled divine and the turkey tasted even better! Can’t wait to share this (and impress) my family next Thanksgiving! Also appreciated that all of the ingredients were already in my cupboard!” – Erica
We’re betting that the following spices for turkey are already in your cupboard. And, we can guarantee you that this seasoning will be more flavorful than any store-bought turkey seasoning + all the benefits of actually being able to pronounce the ingredients:
When it comes to preparing the perfect turkey for holidays like Thanksgiving Christmas or Easter, properly seasoning the bird is key. The right blend of herbs, spices, aromatics, and salt will make your turkey incredibly moist, flavorful and delicious. But with so many potential seasonings to choose from, what should you use?
Here are 10 of the best herb and spice combinations that are fantastic for seasoning turkey
1. Rosemary, Thyme, Sage
This classic blend of herbs is a standard for good reason. The woodsy, pine-like flavor of rosemary, the lemon-mint notes of thyme, and earthy, savory sage all complement turkey wonderfully. Use equal parts of dried or fresh herbs and rub inside and all over the turkey along with olive oil, salt and pepper.
2. Onion and Garlic Powder
For easy flavor, you can’t go wrong dusting your turkey with onion powder and garlic powder before roasting. Use about 1 tablespoon each over a 12-15 lb bird along with salt and pepper. The onion and garlic give great savory flavor without any prep needed.
3. Lemon, Thyme, Butter
Boost moisture and brightness with fresh lemon zest, thyme leaves, softened butter, salt and pepper. Grate the zest of 1 lemon and mix with 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, 1/2 cup butter, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Loosen the skin and rub the herb butter all over the breast meat.
4. Rosemary, Orange, Pepper
The citrus flavor of fresh orange balances beautifully with the woodsy rosemary and cracked black pepper. Use the zest of 1 orange with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
5. Poultry Seasoning
Pre-made poultry seasoning blends are an easy shortcut for great turkey flavor. Look for blends with sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram and black pepper. Rub 2-3 tablespoons inside and all over the turkey along with olive oil or butter.
6. Cajun Seasoning
Spice up your holiday bird with the lively flavors of a Cajun blend. Look for paprika, garlic, onion, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme and more. For a 12-15 lb turkey use about 3 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning over and under the skin.
7. Italian Herbs
A combination of basil, oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, parsley and garlic powder makes a fantastic Italian-inspired turkey rub. Use about 2 tablespoons over the skin along with salt, pepper and olive oil.
8. Lemon Pepper
For fast flavor, use dried lemon pepper seasoning on your turkey. The combination of citrus and peppery spice is very complementary. Use 2-3 tablespoons over the skin along with salt, pepper and oil or butter.
9. Brown Sugar and Chili Powder
A touch of sweetness from brown sugar balances the mild heat from chili powder beautifully. Mix together 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon chili powder, salt and cracked pepper. Rub all over turkey along with olive oil.
10. Maple Syrup and Thyme
For a slightly sweet and herbaceous flavor, brush maple syrup over turkey skin about 30 minutes before finished cooking. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves. The maple will caramelize and give great flavor.
While stuffing a turkey with aromatics like onions, apples, and herbs is delicious, food safety experts recommend against stuffing to prevent bacterial growth. Instead, rub seasonings over and under the skin for great results. Let your seasoned turkey rest at least 15-20 minutes before carving for juicy, flavorful meat. Enjoy your fantastically seasoned holiday bird!
How to Season a Turkey
Seasoning a turkey is simple and our #1 tip is to put it everywhere! After mixing up the spice blend, simply sprinkle it on top of the skin and in between the legs. Then, use your hands to rub it in. You can even rub it under the skin for optimal flavor. Not only will it flavor the turkey itself, but it will help create the most flavorful turkey drippings, which will eventually be your turkey gravy.
How much does this seasoning for turkey yield?
This recipe yields around 1/3 cup and is enough seasoning for a 15 lb. turkey. For smaller or larger birds, use 1.5 tablespoons of seasoning per lb. of turkey.
How to Season Your Turkey | Weber Grills
FAQ
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