What Spices To Use For Turkey: The Ultimate Guide

Turkey can often seem like a blank canvas just waiting for flavor. Without the right blend of spices and herbs, it can end up dry and bland. However with the perfect turkey seasoning you can transform that plain bird into a mouthwatering centerpiece.

When determining what spices to use for turkey, think about creating depth of flavor. You want a blend that incorporates complementary spices that will give you a balance of savory, earthy, herbal and slightly sweet. The possibilities are endless, but there are certain spices that are classics when it comes to seasoning turkey.

The Essential Turkey Spices

These spices should form the base of any turkey seasoning blend

Salt – The most important ingredient for flavoring. Use kosher salt and be generous with it. Salt enhances natural flavors.

Black Pepper – Freshly cracked black pepper adds bite.

Rosemary – Rosemary has a distinctive pine-like aroma that pairs beautifully with poultry.

Thyme – Earthy thyme complements the other herbs and savory spices.

Sage – Sage’s musky notes lend a wonderful Autumnal aroma.

Garlic Powder – No spice blend is complete without garlic! Garlic powder provides a burst of flavor.

Onion Powder – Onion powder adds savory depth and another layer of flavor.

With just those core spices, you’ll give your turkey loads of herbaceous flavor. But you can also expand on that base blend with spices like:

• Paprika – For earthiness, use smoked paprika
• Celery Seed – Provides an aromatic, celery-like flavor
• Mustard Seed – Adds texture and tang
• Fennel Seed – Licorice-like notes pair well with sage and thyme
• Marjoram – Offers brightness to balance the earthy spices

Spice Combinations For Turkey

While the essential spices listed above will give you a foolproof turkey seasoning, you can also vary things up by using certain spice combinations to create more complex layers of flavor.

Some spice mix ideas to try:

Herbes de Provence – This classic French blend combines savory, marjoram, rosemary, thyme and lavender.

Moroccan Spices – A mix of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and ginger.

Italian Seasoning – Basil, oregano, marjoram, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper.

Cajun Spices – Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme.

Old Bay Seasoning – Celery salt, mustard, bay leaves, cloves, allspice, ginger, mace, cardamom, cinnamon, and paprika.

Garam Masala – Cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, green cardamom pods, black peppercorns, bay leaves.

Spice Combinations To Avoid

While most spices complement turkey well, there are a few combinations to be careful with:

• Sage and rosemary can overpower more delicate spices. Use a light hand when including them in blends.

• Curry powders and spicy chile peppers can sometimes clash with traditional holiday flavors.

• Pumpkin pie spice tastes odd on savory turkey. Reserve it for desserts.

• Anise/licorice flavors like fennel seed, tarragon, star anise are polarizing and should be used sparingly.

How To Prepare and Apply Turkey Spices

Once you’ve settled on your ideal spice blend, it’s time to put it to work on the bird. Here are some tips:

• Grind whole spices like peppercorns, allspice berries and fennel seeds. This releases their essential oils for maximum flavor.

• Mix ground spices together in a small bowl. For a 12-15 lb turkey, plan for about 1/4 cup of spice blend.

• Pat the turkey dry and rub the spice mix directly on the skin. Get into every crevice.

• Loosen the skin and rub spice mix underneath, especially on the breast.

• Stuff some spice mix into the turkey cavity as well.

• Let the seasoned turkey rest in the fridge up to 24 hours for the flavor to permeate before roasting.

• For even more flavor, brine or dry brine the turkey after applying the spices.

With the right blend of spices for flavor and aroma, your turkey will be irresistible. Guests will be going back for seconds and there won’t be a dry piece of meat in sight. Happy Thanksgiving!

Frequency of Entities:
Salt: 5
Black Pepper: 3
Rosemary: 3
Thyme: 3
Sage: 2
Garlic Powder: 2
Onion Powder: 2
Paprika: 2
Celery Seed: 1
Mustard Seed: 1
Fennel Seed: 1
Marjoram: 1
Herbes de Provence: 1
Moroccan Spices: 1
Italian Seasoning: 1
Cajun Spices: 1
Old Bay Seasoning: 1
Garam Masala: 1
Curry Powders: 1
Chile Peppers: 1
Pumpkin Pie Spice: 1
Anise/Licorice: 1