Look no further for the BEST turkey seasoning recipe you will ever make! The combination of herbs and spices in this rub will flavor your turkey to perfection and it will be your go-to turkey rub.
All the classic herbs and spices of Thanksgiving dinner are packed into one perfect blend for your bird! Your turkey will take on the most amazing flavors. I love adding flavorful seasonings to make any meat or poultry taste incredible. Try this baked chicken, this delicious chicken recipe, or my favorite air fryer pork chops for tasty seasoned meat.
This turkey rub is a combination of aromatic dried herbs and savory spices. I love the blend of thyme, rosemary, and sage because they are all meant to be together on a turkey. 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 guarantee that you will always be asked to be in charge of the turkey after everyone tastes this dry rub. And if you’re asked to be in charge of the turkey, you can make the meal complete with my Grandma’s stuffing, my Dad’s potatoes, and these easy 1-hour rolls!
The best part about this turkey seasoning rub is that you most likely have all the herbs in your cupboard! These delicious herbs and spices are the perfect combination to enhance the flavors of your turkey. You will LOVE the taste of your turkey and this will be your go-to rub recipe for every turkey you cook.
Turkey is a versatile and tasty meat that can be complemented by a wide variety of herbs and spices. With its mild flavor and tender texture turkey absorbs seasoning exceptionally well, making it the perfect blank canvas for culinary creativity.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the most complementary and delicious herb and spice pairings for turkey so you can elevate your dishes to new heights of flavor. Whether roasting a whole turkey for a festive gathering or whipping up turkey cutlets for a quick weeknight dinner, implementing these seasoned suggestions will never steer you wrong.
The Classics: Sage, Rosemary, Thyme
When most people think about seasoning for turkey traditional herbs like sage, rosemary and thyme immediately come to mind. These classics impart woodsy earthy and savory flavors that bring out the natural essence of turkey.
Fresh or dried, these herbs make excellent additions to compound butters, marinades, stuffings and rubs. Roughly chop and mix them with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic to coat the turkey skin before roasting. For a unique take, brew them into a fragrant herb-infused brine to soak the turkey overnight before cooking.
Stuff sprigs of these herbs into the cavity along with lemons, onions and garlic for powerful aromatic impact. Finally, sprinkle them over the finished dish as an aromatic garnish.
These dependable, complementary herbs deserve their place as time-honored turkey seasoning.
Fresh Herbs: Parsley, Cilantro, Dill
Fresh, green herbs like parsley, cilantro and dill brighten and balance the rich flavors of turkey. Their verdant, grassy notes keep things feeling light, while still adding palette-pleasing flavor.
Chop them finely and fold into stuffing mixtures along with lemon zest, raisins and nuts for a quick flavor boost. Blend them into relishes, chutneys and sauces to accompany the turkey. Or simply use them as a colorful, nutritious topping for soups or turkey sandwiches.
Quick Weeknight Turkey Tip: Pound turkey cutlets thin and quickly pan-fry. Top with a bright salsa verde made with parsley, cilantro, olive oil, capers, garlic and anchovies.
Warm Spices: Cinnamon, Allspice, Nutmeg
Warming spices like cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg add comforting flavor depth and subtle sweetness to savory turkey dishes. Their festive notes conjure holiday memories and seasonal nostalgia.
These spices shine when used judiciously in marinades, dry rubs, gravies and stuffings. Add a pinch to your favorite turkey meatball or meatloaf recipe for extra warmth. Or increase the coziness of a turkey soup or stew by including a touch of these spices.
For an impressive turkey roast, gently separate the skin from the breast and rub the spices directly onto the meat before roasting. The flavor will permeate the flesh and deliver heightened seasonal flavor.
Smoky Heat: Paprika, Chili Powder, Chipotle
Spice-lovers, rejoice! Smoky, spicy seasonings also pair fantastically with mild turkey. Sweet paprika, chili powder and chipotle pepper lend festive color and flavor excitement to your turkey dishes.
Use them in marinades, rubs and bastes to invigorate standard turkey preparations. Fold chipotle chilies into a turkey sausage and corn bread stuffing for kick. Or add hot paprika, cumin and garlic to turkey kebabs or burgers for a fun twist.
For pale turkey meat that begs for color, a simple salt and chili powder dry rub adds both flavor and aesthetic appeal. Just go easy on the heat if serving folks with sensitive palates.
Fresh Flavor: Citrus, Garlic, Ginger
Zesty ingredients like citrus, garlic and ginger add a refreshing, lively essence and work to balance the fattiness of turkey. They also aid in tenderizing the lean meat.
Make turkey pop by utilizing fresh lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit juices and zests in marinades and glazes. Stuff turkey cavity with quartered lemons, limes and oranges, along with plenty of garlic cloves and smashed ginger before roasting.
Grate ginger into turkey meatballs or ground turkey for Asian inspiration. Always add garlic powder to your go-to turkey rub or marinade for irreplaceable depth and aroma.
Savory Umami: Mushrooms, Soy Sauce, Miso
Ingredients like mushrooms, soy sauce and miso offer savory, mouthwatering umami flavors that complement turkey’s mildness. They inject hearty, meaty essences into turkey dishes.
Saute mushrooms and mix into stuffing and dressings for extra richness. Add a splash of soy sauce and sesame oil to simple stir fry turkey and veggies. Whip up a luscious mushroom gravy to serve alongside turkey.
For next-level turkey burgers, mix in a teaspoon of miso paste per pound of ground turkey. The flavors meld and deepen beautifully.
Fresh Herb and Garlic Turkey Rub
After exploring the wide world of herb and spice pairings for turkey, try this fresh herb rub recipe to implement some of the flavor knowledge you’ve gained:
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped.
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary.
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage.
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil.
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted.
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, olive oil, melted butter, salt and pepper until well blended.
- Gently loosen the skin from the turkey breast and spread half of the herb mixture directly onto the meat beneath the skin.
- Rub the remaining herb mixture all over the outside of the turkey.
- Refrigerate turkey at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours to allow flavors to penetrate meat.
- Roast turkey according to your favorite recipe, basting with pan juices as it cooks.
- Allow turkey to rest at least 15 minutes before carving and serving. Enjoy your flavorful and aromatic turkey!
With this simple yet effective herb rub, you’ll infuse your turkey with the quintessential flavors of the season. Vary the fresh herbs based on your tastes and what you have on hand. The possibilities for flavoring turkey are truly endless, so get creative with herbs and spices in your cooking!
How To Store Turkey Seasoning
This homemade turkey rub is a custom blend of seasonings for your Thanksgiving turkey. Once you make this at home and see how delicious it is, you will never buy turkey seasoning at the store again! Homemade seasonings are the best because the herbs are fresher and you can customize the flavors.
- In a Sealed Container: Once you have mixed your ingredients together then store the seasoning in an airtight container. Keep in a cool, dark place then store for up to 2 months.
How to Make the Best Seasoning For Turkey
Making this turkey seasoning is the easiest part of your Thanksgiving dinner! It only takes 5 minutes to put it together, and you will love how fast it is. The best part is that you can make this dry rub ahead of time because it will be ready to go when you need it. Anything that you can make before Thanksgiving day is a win in my book!
- Combine Ingredients: Place all of the ingredients into a bowl and whisk to combine.
- Rub: Rub the entire seasoning mix all over a 10-13 pound turkey making sure to get the top and bottom. Then cook your seasoned turkey according to your recipe.
- Store: If you aren’t using it right away, store it in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
Homemade seasonings are my very favorite because you have complete control over your end result! You can change up the heat level, add additional flavor, or even double the recipe so that you 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 couple of weeks before Thanksgiving so that it’s ready to go! It’s great to make a big batch of seasoning because you have it on hand anytime you need to season poultry, meat, or fish.
- How Much Seasoning To Use: This recipe makes about 1/3 cup and is good to rub over an entire 10-14 pound turkey.
- Use Dried Herbs, Not Fresh: Dried herbs in your spice rack have a much longer shelf life than using fresh herbs. Fresh herbs tend to have a higher moisture content and can lead to spoiling and growing mold early on.
- Less salt: If you find it a tad too salty, then reduce the salt a little bit at a time. Kosher salt is best because you can control the salt flavor better than table salt.
- Make it Spicy: Add some spice to your seasoning with a little cayenne pepper or chili powder.
- Make it a Little Sweet: Try adding 1 tablespoon of brown sugar to the rub. It adds a touch of sweetness and caramelizes a bit.
Kentucky Baked Turkey with 11 herbs and spices?
FAQ
What should you season your turkey with?
What herbs go well with ground turkey?
What can I add to turkey to make it taste better?
What spices go well with Turkey seasoning?
Cracked Black Pepper: Always cracked black pepper! Garlic Powder: Everything tastes better with the flavor of garlic. Onion Powder: Onion powder is a perfect spice in this seasoning. Making this turkey seasoning is the easiest part of your Thanksgiving dinner! It only takes 5 minutes to put it together, and you will love how fast it is.
What healthy seasonings can I use this new year?
All natural seasonings are healthy, like onions, garlic, herbs, dried herbs and their mixtures. My favorites are thyme, rosemary, garlic, onion, freshly ground pepper and curry.
What herbs go well with Turkey rub?
Dried Thyme: The distinct flavor of thyme is perfect for turkey. Dried Rosemary: Aromatic and delicious on poultry. Dried Sage: Sage is a wonderful compliment to the rub. Dried Parsley: Parsley is a perfect herb for the turkey. Paprika: I love the subtle smokiness the paprika adds!
What herbs go well with a Thanksgiving turkey?
But you can expand upon these basics by using fall herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage, which are natural accompaniments for turkey. You can branch out further with your favorite seasoning blends. To add extra flavor and tenderness to your Thanksgiving turkey, try a basic brine or you could even go for a dry brine.