The best turkey seasoning recipe! This homemade turkey rub is easy to make and will add great flavor to your Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas turkey, or any poultry for any occasion.
This homemade turkey seasoning is perfect for Christmas turkey, Thanksgiving, ground turkey, or small parts like turkey wings, thighs, turkey breasts, etc. It can also be used on other poultry like chicken, hen, duck, quail.
It's better than any store-bought turkey spice rub and it is made with common spice cupboard ingredients you most likely already have at home.
This Turkey rub recipe makes enough to season 10lb|5kg Turkey. It is the right combination of herbs and spices to give aroma and deep flavor.
Turkey Seasoning Recipe
To make this healthy turkey seasoning, you will need a measuring spoon, clean dry bowl and if not using the mix immediately, you'll need a spice jar or airtight container to store it in.
It takes just 5 minutes to make this dry rub and you can also use it on vegetables, potatoes, whole chicken, for gravies, and in soups and not just on turkey only.
What Herbs go well with Turkey?
Coriander, Parsley, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Basil, Sage are some of the aromatic herbs that go well with Turkey and some of them have been featured in this homemade rub recipe. It will give you flavorful, juicy turkey and you won't be disappointed. Let me show you how to make turkey seasoning for the holidays, summer grilling, and bbq.
Ingredients
The detailed ingredient list, directions, and video in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
I use just 10 common ingredients in this turkey seasoning recipe. These are ingredients that will commonly be in the spice cupboard and they are
Paprika
Parsley
Thyme
Rosemary
Coriander
Garlic granules
Onion powder
Black pepper
Brown sugar
Salt
How to make Turkey Seasoning (Turkey Rub)
This is a simple process and it's quite easy.
All you need to do is to first measure out all the ingredients, then add all the ingredients in a dry bowl and mix till well combined.
That's it! You have the perfect turkey seasoning ready for use or you can store for later use.
Storage
Put in an airtight container or plastic or glass spice jar. Label the jar with the name of the rub and dates made then store in a cool dry place like a spice cupboard or pantry, somewhere away from direct sunlight.
The seasoning will last up to a year in the cupboard but I like to make in small batches so I don't store longer than 3 months.
How to Season a Turkey
To season turkey you will need this turkey dry rub, with butter or olive oil. The butter or olive oil will help the seasoning stick to Turkey.
When making a whole turkey, I like to use butter and if turkey parts, olive oil. Add 1.5 tablespoon of this turkey seasoning to 1 tablespoon of butter.
Mix well then apply all over, inside, and under the skin of the turkey. Leave to marinate for a few hours before cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much seasoning do i use?
I recommend you use 2 tablespoons of this seasoning for every 1 kg turkey.
Can you season a turkey the night before?
Yes, you can! After seasoning, put in the fridge to marinate overnight and bring out the seasoned turkey15- 30 minutes before frying, roasting, or grilling.
How to get rub to stick to turkey
Mix butter or oil with the seasoning then apply. This butter/oil ensures the seasoning sticks to the turkey.
More Seasonings and Rubs Recipe
Some Other Holiday Recipes
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Best Turkey Seasoning
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon Paprika
- 3 tablespoon Parsley
- 1 tablespoon Rosemary
- 1.5 tablespoon Coriander
- ½ tablespoon Dried thyme
- 1-2 teaspoon Black pepper or to taste
- 1.5 tablespoon Garlic granules
- 2 tablespoon Onion powder
- 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Salt or to taste
Instructions
- All you need to do is to first measure out all the ingredients, then add all the ingredients in a dry bowl and mix till well combined.
- That's it! You have the perfect turkey seasoning ready for use or you can store for later use.
Kemi.,
I’m recently 28, a very long time, adamant home cook and baker. I’ve done a few turkeys by myself for either Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner for my immediate family, traditional dinners. They were, “meh.” This year has been so rough to get into the holiday spirit, even to want to cook and bake, which are always my go-to’s, my home therapies. I deal with some mental health issues that sometime make it hard to get into a spirit you just love so much.
ANYWAY! A novel level, I told myself this year I’ll make a bold, perfect, knock-your-socks-off turkey. I’m tired of all the fresh herbs, lemons, oranges… I get it. They all serve a purpose. So instead of the well-beaten path, you done spun me a good 360 and knocked my socks WHILE getting me a new pair with this.
I know it’s just something as simple as a seasoning blend insipirstion to some, but making this and my turkey today to present tomorrow (a wing fell off, accidentally or on purpose is up to you to decide) so I had to try it, this beautiful, perfect turkey, just sparked that joy I’ve been missing this season. For a moment I just sighed, I breathed, over eating a wing of turkey with your blend.
I just want to say thank you, thank the universe, thank the Lord, or whomever else we may pray to, that even in the roughest times, little serendipity moments like this happen. Someone finally finds a spark back just in time for Christmas. Whoever is up there sure knows what they’re doing.
Thank you again for sharing this. Thank you for existing. Thank you for an amazing blend I probably won’t ever make a turkey a different way again.
Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. Be blessed, stay blessed.
-m.f,
Reading this made my day. Thank you so much.
Have a happy new year.
I made a turkey with this last year, along with dry brining, and unanimously the family (13+ people) said it was the best turkey ever. I’m going to do it again this year and try to write down my steps to make sure it’s consistently perfect. Thank you Kemi!
Hi Ryan, Thanks for the feedback. I'm sure it will be perfect this year too 🙂