Best Smoked Turkey Rub – Quick Facts
- Ready In: 5 minutes!
- Main Ingredients: dried herbs, spices, salt, and pepper
- Best For: any smoked turkey recipes – Traeger smoked turkey, smoked turkey breast or smoked turkey wings
- Storage: pantry at room temperature – great option to make a double or triple batch!
- Origin: Using the Traeger smoker is one of the best ways to cook a turkey! The delicious smokey flavor is next level, plus it gets the turkey out of the oven on Thanksgiving Day to make room for all your favorite side dishes. So, I decided it was time to make this super simple, but flavorful smoked turkey rub seasoning to really bring our bird to the next level. Definitely the best seasoning I have ever tasted!
To create the most juicy and tender smoked turkey meat, let your turkey hangout in the best smoked turkey brine!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients and instructions.
- salt and pepper – basic seasonings to use when cooking any meat.
- smoked garlic powder – gives even more smokey flavor, but regular garlic powder can also be used.
- dried basil & oregano – add Mediterranean herb notes that help balance the rich, dark turkey meat.
- spicy or sweet variations – feel free to play with the flavor profile a little bit. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a kick of heat or some brown sugar for some sweetness.
Pro Tips – Smoker Prep
For best results, follow a few steps/tips when prepping the turkey and smoker:
- Fully thaw the turkey & remove any giblets or neck (if making a whole turkey).
- Preheat the smoker to 225 degrees F and use either hickory or apple wood chips/pellets.
- Pat the turkey dry with paper towels, just when you think it is dry, pat it again!
- Rub the outside of the turkey with very soft butter or olive oil.
- Now rub it down with this smoked turkey rub seasoning. If there is turkey skin, get some seasoning under the skin and on top.
- Follow the instructions for your favorite smoked turkey recipe!
How To Make Smoked Turkey Dry Rub
Step 1 – Measure out all the ingredients.
Step 2 – Mix them all together!
Should I add the smoked turkey rub under the skin, on top of the skin, or both?
If you are able to separate some of the skin from the meat, I would recommend adding this dry rub in both places! Being able to add some seasoning under the skin will add even more flavor.
Step 3 – Rub on the turkey before cooking.
Best Ways To Use A Smoked Turkey Dry Rub
This dry rub recipe can be used to season any cut of turkey before it goes on the smoker. Perfect for using to season my whole smoked turkey recipe, pellet smoked spatchcock turkey, Traeger smoked turkey breast, or fall off the bone smoked turkey legs. A spice blend that is amazing on all of them. Best to let the turkey come to room temperature, pat the turkey dry with paper towels, and then season generously the entire turkey!
Smoked Turkey Rub FAQs
Yes, coat the outside of the turkey with smoked turkey rub before placing it on the smoker or pellet grill.
Yes, follow my instructions for brining a turkey, pat it dry, and add this dry rub before smoking.
This rub could be used to season the turkey the night before cooking, but it isn’t the same as a dry brine. I do have an official dry brine turkey recipe, if you prefer.
Other Turkey Recipes for Thanksgiving You Might Like
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Smoked Turkey Rub Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Approx. 1/3 cup
- Category: Seasoning
- Method: Counter Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
Our delicious Smoked Turkey Rub recipe is super easy to make and brings all the best flavor to any cut of turkey!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley leaves
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons dried sage leaves
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
- 1 teaspoons onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl; stir to combine.
- Use the homemade dry rub to coat the outside of the turkey and place on the smoker – we love this smoked turkey breast recipe and our smoked turkey recipe!
Notes
- Prep: highly recommend patting the turkey dry and then add a drizzle of olive oil or softened butter before seasoning with this dry rub.
- Amount: one batch of this dry rub seasoning will season a regular-sized whole turkey. Option to make more or less depending on the size of your turkey.
- Flavor Punch: add even more flavor by pairing this dry rub with our Turkey Marinade or Turkey Injection – such a good combo!
- Pellet/Wood Chips: using either basic hickory wood chips or apple wood chips, for a subtle sweetness, work great for smoked turkey recipes.
- Storage: Store it in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 3 months. It will last longer than 3 months but some of the flavors might become a bit muted.
- Gravy: Don’t forget to collect the drippings and follow our tutorial on how to make smoked turkey gravy!
Bridget says
Definitely the best turkey dry rub! Perfect for your holiday turkey!
Rhonda says
I smoked a boneless turkey breast for our small Thanksgiving this year using this dry rub. This is the best poultry dry rub I’ve ever tried! Even better than Traeger’s! I was nervous this year after doing a whole smoked turkey last year didn’t go as expected (someone else’s method), but I should’ve known better. Wooden Skillet has never led me wrong. It was spectacular! I even sprinkled some extra rub onto the mayo in my sandwich of the leftovers. That is the second best decision with the turkey this year! Everyone must try it!
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Rhonda! And thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a rating and review – I so appreciate it!
Mary says
We used this dry rub before we put our Thanksgiving Turkey on the Traeger. It was easy and DELICIOUS.
Erin says
So glad you all enjoyed it, Mary! And thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review – I appreciate it!