This turkey rub is a blend of savory spices that come together to make the ultimate poultry seasoning. Your Thanksgiving turkey will taste much better with a homemade spice rub added, and it also pairs well with chicken, pork, and beef.
My homemade turkey rub is my go-to seasoning when I want to make a turkey that will wow everyone. For a special dinner, I pair my turkey with traditional sides like cranberry relish and sweet potato casserole.
There are tons of ways to cook a turkey, like brining, roasting, deep-frying, and more! This turkey rub elevates a simple roasted turkey to a magnificent dish. Best of all, it takes just 5 minutes to make!.
Many herbs and spices, such as salt, brown sugar, paprika, pepper, thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic powder, and onion powder, are used in this recipe.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that means it’s time to start thinking about the centerpiece of your holiday meal: the turkey! But before you throw that bird in the oven you need to give it some flavor. That’s where a good turkey rub comes in.
I’ve analyzed two popular turkey rub recipes, one from Savory Experiments and one from Dinner at the Zoo, and I’ve come up with the ultimate guide to creating a delicious and easy rub that will make your turkey the star of the show.
The Perfect Blend of Spices
The key to a good turkey rub is using the right blend of spices. Both recipes I analyzed use a similar base of salt pepper paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. However, they also include some unique ingredients that add depth and complexity to the flavor.
The Savory Experiments recipe calls for smoked paprika, which gives the rub a smoky flavor that’s perfect for complementing the taste of turkey. It also includes a dash of cayenne pepper, which adds a touch of heat.
The Dinner at the Zoo recipe, on the other hand, uses brown sugar to add a touch of sweetness. It also includes thyme and rosemary, which are classic Thanksgiving herbs that pair well with turkey.
How to Use Your Turkey Rub
Once you’ve created your rub, it’s time to apply it to the turkey. Both recipes recommend applying the rub generously to the outside of the turkey, and then using your hands to rub it into the skin and meat. You can also loosen the skin of the turkey breast and thighs, and put some of the rub under the skin against the meat for added flavor.
If you’re short on time, you can apply the rub just before cooking the turkey. However, if you have the time, it’s best to let the rub sit on the turkey for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight. This will allow the flavors to penetrate the meat and create a more flavorful bird.
Cooking Your Turkey
Once your turkey is rubbed, it’s time to cook it. Both recipes I analyzed recommend roasting the turkey in the oven. However, you can also smoke the turkey, fry it, or even air fry it.
No matter how you cook your turkey, be sure to follow the cooking instructions that came with your turkey. This will ensure that your turkey is cooked to the proper temperature and is safe to eat.
Serving Your Turkey
Once your turkey is cooked, it’s time to serve it. Both recipes I analyzed recommend serving the turkey with classic Thanksgiving sides such as mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce. You can also get creative and serve your turkey with other sides that you enjoy.
Creating a delicious and easy turkey rub is a great way to add flavor to your Thanksgiving turkey. By following the tips in this guide, you can create a rub that will make your turkey the star of the show. So get out there and start experimenting with different spices to find the perfect blend for your taste. Happy Thanksgiving!
Tips for the perfect seasoning mix
- Use this recipe to make the ideal amount of rub for a turkey weighing 10 to 12 pounds. Should your turkey be larger, you should multiply the recipe by two.
- If you would rather, you can use fresh herbs in place of the dried ones; just make sure to use three times as much fresh herb material.
- Kosher salt is used in this recipe; it is not the same as table salt. Use kosher salt for optimal results; it should be available in every supermarket.
Dredge the turkey in a generous amount of seasoning, then rub it into the skin and meat with your hands. In order to enhance the flavor, I also suggest loosening the skin on the turkey thighs and breast and applying some of the rub underneath the skin.
You can absolutely season a turkey the night before, in fact, I recommend doing this whenever possible. If the rub is left on the turkey overnight, the spices and salt will seep into the meat, resulting in a cooked bird that is more juicy and tender. After applying the rub, cover your turkey loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Many savory and sweet flavors, including brown sugar, maple, chives, thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage, basil, paprika, pepper, garlic, onion, lemon, and oregano, go well with turkey. This is a mostly savory spice blend with a touch of brown sugar to balance the herbs, spices, and salt. Brown sugar also has the added benefit of helping to give the turkey a golden brown crust.
Although I really enjoy this spice blend just the way it is written, you can definitely alter the recipe to suit your preferences by using different flavorings.
- Sugar: In place of the brown sugar, you can use maple, muscovado, or coconut sugar. To create a wet rub, you can also combine the spices with honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup.
- Herbs: Feel free to add additional herbs, like dried parsley, basil, marjoram, savory, or oregano, to the mixture.
- Spices: You can also add cayenne pepper, mustard powder, smoked paprika, or chili powder to this rub.
- Wet Rub: To make a wet rub, combine your spice blend with two tablespoons of melted butter or olive oil.
- Smokey Rub: If you’re going to smoke your turkey, apply my smoked turkey rub.
I like to make a double or triple batch of this rub to use on roast beef, pork tenderloin, and chicken throughout the year. This spice blend will make your holiday turkey extra special this year, and you’ll be sure to receive great feedback.
How do you make turkey rub?
Place the salt, sugar, herbs and spices in a bowl, then stir until everything is well mixed. Use the seasoning right away, or store it in an airtight container for future use.
My INCREDIBLE Smoked Turkey Rub | Backyard Test Kitchen
FAQ
What should you season your turkey with?
Should I rub butter or oil on my turkey?
How do you get rub to stick to turkey?
What is the best flavor to stuff a turkey with?