What is a Good Turkey Rub?

A turkey rub is a blend of herbs, spices, salt, and sometimes sugar that is rubbed onto the turkey to add flavor. A good turkey rub enhances the natural flavor of the turkey and creates a beautiful golden brown exterior when roasted. There are many recipes for homemade turkey rubs, but most include classic holiday spices.

Common Ingredients in Turkey Rubs

The most common ingredients found in turkey rub recipes include:

• Kosher salt – Enhances flavor and keeps the turkey moist. Coarse grains stick to the skin better than table salt.

• Brown sugar – Caramelizes to give a crispy skin. Molasses adds depth of flavor.

• Pepper – Freshly ground black pepper has the most robust flavor.

• Paprika – Adds rich color and mild sweet pepper flavor. Smoked paprika has a deeper flavor.

• Onion powder – Provides onion flavor without the moisture of fresh onion.

• Garlic powder – Imparts garlic taste without risk of burning

• Herbs – Rosemary, thyme, sage impart traditional holiday notes.

• Spices – Nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cloves provide warmth.

Customizing Your Turkey Rub

While classic herb and spice blends make excellent turkey rubs, you can customize them to your taste. Try adding citrus zest, ground ginger, cardamom, cayenne for heat, or swapping in different herbs. The possibilities are endless.

Stick with dried leafy herbs as fresh herbs may burn during roasting. Ground dried mushrooms or spices like ancho chile powder also work nicely.

Wet vs Dry Turkey Rubs

For roasted or baked turkeys, mixing the rub with butter or oil makes a compound butter or wet rub that helps the seasoning adhere. But for smoking or frying, go with a dry rub only to prevent burning.

If roasting, loosen the skin and apply some rub directly onto the meat before placing the rest on the skin. This technique ensures maximum flavor.

How Much Rub Per Pound of Turkey

Most recipes recommend 1-2 tablespoons of rub per 3 pounds of turkey. Adjust to your taste, keeping in mind that you can always add more but you can’t take it away. Apply the rub generously, inside the cavity as well as all over the skin.

Don’t be afraid to really work it into the skin with your hands, reaching the nooks and crannies.

When to Apply the Rub

For best results, coat the turkey with rub at least a few hours before cooking, even up to 24 hours in advance. This gives time for the salt and spices to penetrate deep into the meat, tenderizing it and enhancing juiciness.

If you’re short on time, seasoning right before roasting is fine. Just don’t apply too far in advance as the salt can start overly curing the turkey.

Suggested Side Dishes

A well-seasoned roast turkey deserves equally flavorful side dishes like garlic mashed potatoes, sausage stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, and flaky dinner rolls.

With a good turkey rub, you’ll have a show-stopping centerpiece entrée for your holiday meal. Guests will definitely go back for seconds!