The Best Turkey Seasoning Blend – Quick Facts
- Ready In: 5 minutes!
- Use On: whole turkey, turkey breast, turkey tenderloin, turkey wings, turkey legs, any cut of turkey or poultry.
- Amount Needed: 1 tablespoon seasoning for every 2 pounds of turkey
- Prep Ahead: make a double batch or triple batch of this homemade turkey rub to store in the pantry and use when ready!
- Origin: For years, I have been making every cut of turkey with a variety of different seasonings, marinades, brines, etc. and this Thanksgiving turkey seasoning is absolute best way to add flavor to your bird, no matter how you are cooking it! You will never buy a store-bought turkey seasoning again after you see just how simple and flavorful this homemade turkey rub is!
If you are new to cooking a turkey or are looking to change things up, check out our Ultimate Guide: How to Cook a Turkey! It covers everything you need to know for a juicy & tender turkey.
Key Ingredients – 7 Pantry Staples
- Kosher Salt – this was used during testing, if using regular, table salt you will need to decrease the amount by half.
- Dried Sage, Thyme, & Rosemary – they pair with the mild flavour of turkey, help cut through the richness of the meat, and complement butter or oil-based rubs.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – both add great flavor and make sure they are powders and not garlic salt or onion salt to prevent your seasoning from getting too salty.
- Variations: citrus, heat – if you wanted to add in a touch of citrus, you could add in a little dried lemon peel or fresh lemon zest. For a little bit of a kick, add some red pepper flakes!
How To Make Turkey Seasoning
Step 1 – Measure out the 7 spices.
Step 2 – Mix it all together and use on any cut of turkey!
How Much To Use & When To Apply
- How Much to Use: The general rule of thumb is to use 1 tablespoon of seasoning per 2 pounds of turkey. This turkey seasoning rub recipe makes about 3.5 tablespoons total. So, it could season any cut of turkey that is around 6-7 pounds.
- When to Apply: Since this seasoning does not have any citrus or sugar, the turkey can be seasoned up to 2 days before cooking. This is true no matter how you cook your turkey or the type/size of turkey you are making. Just be sure to keep it refrigerated.
Ways To Add Even More Flavor
If you are looking for even more ways to season the perfect turkey, try using a simple turkey brine, the best marinade for turkey, or add the best turkey injection recipe right into the meat.
How To Use A Simple Turkey Seasoning
Follow these easy steps:
- Prep: Pat the turkey dry, inside and out, with clean paper towels.
- Rub: cover the outside of the turkey with olive oil, avocado oil, or butter. Then coat the outside of the turkey with the homemade turkey seasoning.
- Season: If you are seasoning a turkey with some of the skin on, we highly recommend trying to get the seasoning mixture under the skin of the turkey. There are spots on the bird where this can be pretty hard but if you can get it in there, as much as possible, it really adds flavor!
- Cook the turkey:
- Oven Roasted – ultimate herb butter turkey, juicy roast turkey breast, or baked turkey tenderloin.
- Grilled – juicy grilled turkey or best grilled turkey breast recipe.
- Smoked – Traeger smoked turkey, smoked turkey breast, juicy smoked turkey legs, or learn how to cook smoked turkey wings.
Turkey Seasoning FAQs
Yes, just be sure to adjust the amounts. 1 teaspoon dried herbs = 3 teaspoons fresh herbs.
Yes, this is a great option, especially if you need to season a whole turkey. Leftover seasoning can always be stored in the pantry to use the next time you cook turkey or use on chicken too!
Keep in an airtight container in the pantry or other dark place for up to 3 months. It will last longer than 3 months but some of the flavors might become a bit muted.
Other Homemade Seasoning Recipes You Might Like
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dried sage
- 2-3 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix: Put all ingredients in a small bowl; Stir to combine.
- Prep Turkey: Pat turkey dry with clean paper towel. Drizzle with olive oil or avocado oil – alternatively you can rub with softened butter. Season generously with the homemade turkey seasoning (including under the skin, where you are able).
- Cook Turkey: Use in your favorite turkey recipes – we love this Smoked Turkey Recipe or the Best Grilled Turkey!
Notes
- Salt: I wouldn’t recommend using table salt here – stick to kosher salt, otherwise your turkey might be too salty.
- Storage: feel free to make a double or triple batch – store this seasoning in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 3 months!
- Turkey Drippings/Pan Juices: don’t forget to use your pan juices that are leftover from your turkey to make homemade turkey gravy!
- Turkey Leftovers: got some leftover turkey, don’t forget to make some Turkey and Wild Rice Soup, Easy Turkey Salad or a Turkey Cranberry Wrap!
Bridget Montag says
An easy way to add so much great flavor to our Thanksgiving turkey!