Looking for the best homemade turkey rub? This easy turkey seasoning recipe combines seven pantry spices, including paprika, rosemary, thyme, garlic and onion powder. It takes just 5 minutes to make and adds delicious savory flavor to roasted, smoked or grilled turkey. I make this homemade turkey rub every Thanksgiving, and it's also delicious on turkey breast and chicken!
The turkey seasoning recipe makes approximately 8 tablespoons and can be prepared ahead of time and stored in an airtight container. Use it on a whole turkey, turkey breast, legs or wings. You can also use it to season chicken!
Why Make Your Own Turkey Seasoning?
The best turkey rub is like a flavor-packed fairy dust for your bird. It's the secret to turning a regular, ho-hum turkey into a mouthwatering masterpiece. All those spices and herbs come together to create a delicious symphony of tastes and aromas, infusing every nook and cranny with a burst of flavor.
This simple seasoning transforms your turkey from just okay to "Wow, this is amazing!" Whether it's Thanksgiving turkey, a Sunday dinner, a Christmas turkey or any turkey roasting occasion, you'll want to have this dry turkey seasoning recipe in your culinary tool kit. I use this turkey rub every year on Thanksgiving. All our holiday guests love the seasoned bird and always want to talk home some leftovers!
When you make your own seasoning or rub, you can control the ingredients plus you can use less salt if desired.
This turkey seasoning recipe can also spice up my Dutch Oven Turkey Breast and the special herb rub is also great on my Oven Baked Bone-in Chicken Breast too!
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Ingredients
- Paprika – Paprika is a key player in adding color and a smoky, slightly sweet flavor to your rub. There are various types of paprika, but the most common ones are sweet, smoked (like Spanish smoked paprika or pimentón), and hot. You can use any of these depending on your preference, but sweet paprika is typically a safe and versatile choice.
- Coarse Salt – Coarse salt, like kosher or sea salt, adds a fundamental savory element to your rub. The coarseness of the salt crystals helps create a delightful texture and enhances the flavor.
- Black Pepper – Black pepper delivers a spicy, pungent kick that balances out the other flavors. Freshly ground black pepper is ideal for maximum flavor.
- Thyme – Dried thyme brings an earthy, herbaceous note to the rub. It pairs wonderfully with poultry, adding depth and complexity.
- Rosemary – Dried rosemary adds a piney, woodsy essence that complements the other spices and herbs.
- Garlic Powder – Garlic powder infuses your rub with the rich, nutty taste of garlic, minus the moisture of fresh garlic.
- Onion Powder – Onion powder imparts a sweet, mellow onion flavor to the rub.
How To Make Turkey Rub
- Combine all ingredients in a small-medium mixing bowl and whisk until fully combined.
- Store the turkey rub seasoning in a sealed jar or container in a cool, dry area for up to 3 months. The seasoning is ready to cook a turkey whether you are roasting, frying, grilling or smoking. It works on a whole turkey but you can use it on turkey breast, legs, wings and thighs too!
Hint: You can use fresh herbs and garlic, but you will want to use the rub right away rather than storing it in a jar as fresh ingredients are not shelf stable.
Substitutions and Flavor Variations
- Spicy Variation – Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for some kick. Incorporate ground mustard for a tangy spice.
- Citrusy Variation – Mix in lemon or orange zest for a zesty, refreshing flavor. Add a touch of ground coriander for a citrusy, warm spice.
- Sweet and Savory Variation – Add a touch of brown sugar with the spices for a sweet and savory rub.
- Low Sodium Turkey seasoning - Use less salt or even leave it out for a salt free turkey rub.
Storage
This homemade dry turkey rub uses shelf stable ingredients so you can store it for a while as long as you do it properly.
Transfer your herb rub into an airtight container. This can be a glass or plastic jar, a sealable bag, or a vacuum-sealed pouch. The key is to minimize air exposure to prevent moisture from getting in, which can lead to clumping and flavor loss. Stored properly the turkey rub recipe will last for up to 3 months.
If you want to extend the shelf life, you can freeze your herb rub. Place it in an airtight container, remove as much air as possible, and then store it in the freezer. This can help preserve the rub's flavor for a longer time.
Tips to Make Perfect Turkey Seasoning
- Whenever possible, use fresh, quality spices and herbs. The freshness of your ingredients will significantly impact the flavor of your rub.
- The key to a great rub is achieving a harmonious balance of flavors. Experiment with different proportions to find the right blend that suits your taste. Start with the suggested amounts and adjust to your liking.
- The texture of your rub can affect how it adheres to the turkey. Ensure that your rub is finely ground but not too powdery. It should have some texture to help it cling to the meat.
How to Season a Bird
- Before applying the rub, pat the turkey dry with paper towels. This helps the rub adhere better and promotes crispy skin during roasting.
- Rub the surface of the turkey as well as inside the cavity with butter or oil.
- Sprinkle the rub over the turkey and rub it into and under the skin and inside the cavity.
- If you have time, apply the rub a day in advance and let it sit in the refrigerator. This acts as a dry brine, enhancing the flavor and juiciness of the turkey.
- Cook according to your desired method. This rub is excellent before roasting, grilling or smoking a turkey.
FAQ
Can you use this rub for chicken or pork?
Yes! Many turkey rubs work well on other poultry, such as chicken or duck, and pork, depending on the flavors in the rub. Feel free to experiment with different meats. I enjoy using this rub specifically for poultry and pork.
How much turkey seasoning do you need?
The amount of rub you need depends on the size of your turkey. A good rule of thumb is to use about 3-4 tablespoons of rub per one 8-12 pound turkey. Ensure you apply the rub evenly across the entire surface and underneath the skin.
What should I do if the rub starts to clump?
The best way to prevent clumping is to store the seasoning in an air tight container. But sometimes rubs will clump together. You can break it up with a small whisk or fork or give your jar a good shake to break up the particles.
More Rub and Seasoning Recipes
I love making my own rubs and seasonings. They are budget friendly and you can control the amount of salt you use.
Try these other seasoning recipes:
- The Best Simple Homemade Steak Seasoning or Dry Rub
- Best Homemade Potato and French Fry Seasoning
- Low Sodium DIY Taco Seasoning
- How To Make Homemade Beef Seasoning
If you like this turkey rub seasoning please give it a 5-star rating below.
RECIPE
Homemade Turkey Rub
Ingredients
- 2 TBS Paprika
- 1 TBS Coarse Salt
- 1 TBS Black Pepper
- 1 TBS Dried Thyme
- 1 TBS Dried Rosemary
- 1 TBS Garlic Powder
- 1 TBS Onion Powder
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small-medium mixing bowl and whisk until fully combined.
- Store in a sealed jar or container in a cool, dry area for up to 3 months.
Notes
- If you would like to skip the paprika, you can, as it’s mostly to give a nice color to the finished turkey. With the paprika, you’ll get a nice dark, almost rust color, but will get more of a deep golden color if you remove it. It’s totally up to you.
- If your turkey is already brined, kosher or injected with a salt solution, reduce the salt in this seasoning blend or leave it out to avoid an overly salty turkey
- For the best results with this rub, cover the entire turkey well with the mixture and then let it rest in the fridge overnight. You can also do it about 30 minutes before taking the next steps in the cooking process. You can cook right away, but by keeping the rub on overnight, the flavor will have longer to sink in. If you can get the rub up under the skin, that’s even better.
- I use 3-4 tablespoons of this rub for one 8-12 pound turkey. This recipe makes enough for 2 smaller turkeys or one big turkey where you will probably have some seasoning left over.
Nutrition
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Andrea says
What a fantastic homemade turkey seasoning. It's the perfect addition to my spice cabinet.
Lima Ekram says
Saw this recipe just in time! Cant wait to try it!
Carrie Robinson says
You just can't go wrong with a good rub on that Thanksgiving turkey! 🙂 This homemade one sounds delicious.
Holley says
This is a 5 star turkey seasoning! Super easy and absolutely incredible tasting!
Stephanie says
This homemade turkey rub is so much better than pre-made mixes from the grocery store. A great blend of spices to make my turkey extra special.