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.
Are you ready to make the most flavorful turkey you’ve ever tasted? Look no further than these two incredible turkey rub recipes that will have your taste buds dancing with joy Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, these easy-to-follow recipes will guide you to a succulent and delicious turkey that will be the star of your Thanksgiving table
Turkey Rub Recipe (Turkey Seasoning) – Chili Pepper Madness
This recipe from Chili Pepper Madness is a perfect blend of savory spices and dried herbs, guaranteed to make your turkey shine. It’s ideal for roasted turkey breasts, whole turkeys, turkey legs, or wings, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika (smoked paprika is a great choice)
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- ½-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for spicy)
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Rinse and dry your turkey.
- Rub the spice mix into the turkey, including underneath the skin and inside the cavity. You can use oil or butter if desired.
- Prepare your turkey as desired.
Tips:
- This recipe is enough for a 12-15 pound turkey.
- Don’t be shy with the spices! Turkeys need a lot of seasoning to achieve maximum flavor.
- Rub the spice mix under the skin and pierce the skin with a knife for deeper flavor penetration.
- Consider a dry brine by rubbing the turkey with this mix and refrigerating overnight for extra flavor and juiciness.
- You can also use this spice blend as a wet brine by soaking the turkey in a saltwater solution with the mix.
- This versatile spice blend also works great as a general poultry seasoning for chicken.
Turkey Rub Recipe – Dinner at the Zoo
This recipe from Dinner at the Zoo is another fantastic option for a flavorful turkey. It’s a simple blend of salt, brown sugar, paprika, pepper, thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic powder, and onion powder, and is perfect for those who prefer a less spicy rub.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Rub the spice mix all over your turkey, including under the skin.
- Cook your turkey as desired.
Tips:
- This recipe is perfect for a 10-12 pound turkey. Double the recipe for larger birds.
- You can use fresh herbs instead of dried, but triple the amount.
- This rub can be made up to 2 months in advance.
Flavor Variations
Both of these recipes are incredibly versatile and can be easily customized to your taste. Here are some ideas:
- Sugar: Use maple sugar, muscovado sugar, or coconut sugar instead of brown sugar. You can also use honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup to create a wet rub.
- Herbs: Add other herbs like parsley, basil, marjoram, savory, or oregano.
- Spices: Include cayenne pepper, mustard powder, smoked paprika, or chili powder for an extra kick.
- Wet Rub: Mix your spice blend with olive oil or melted butter for a more flavorful coating.
- Smokey Rub: Use a smoked turkey rub if you’re planning to cook your bird in a smoker.
With these two fantastic turkey rub recipes, you’re sure to create a delicious and memorable Thanksgiving feast. Don’t be afraid to experiment and add your own personal touch to make the recipe your own. Happy cooking!
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.
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.
Dry Herb Rub for a Turkey
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 to stuff a turkey with for flavor?
What is the best smoked turkey rub?
1. Easy smoked turkey rub 2. The Simon and Garfunkel Spice Rub 3. Herby Smoked Turkey Rub 4. The garlic butter rub (get the best from your dry brining) 5. The citrus and herb butter rub 6. The Best Fried Turkey Rub 7. The Cajun Turkey Rub (for the deep Louisiana flavor) 8. Jerk Smoked Turkey Rub (the spicy one) 9.
How do you make a smoky Turkey rub?
If you prefer a smoky and sweet rub, add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar to the above seasonings or try my epic dry pork rub recipe. Measure the spices inside a bowl and use a whisk or fork to combine them well. Transfer the turkey rub inside a spice jar or zip bag and keep it with the other spices for up to 2 months.
Can you use a Turkey rub on a 10 pound turkey?
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. This recipe makes the perfect amount of rub to use on a 10-12 pound turkey. If your turkey is larger, you’ll want to double the recipe.
Can you use a wet rub on a roasted turkey?
For oven roasted turkeys, the wet rub works great because it infuses the meat and the skin with flavor. All you have to do is make one recipe of this turkey rub and mix it with ¼ cup melted butter or olive oil to create a paste. With your hands, lift the skin and separate it from the turkey meat. Using a brush, brush the paste onto the turkey skin.