This Turkey Rub is here to make sure you never serve a bland turkey on Thanksgiving! This simple turkey seasoning blend features sage, rosemary, thyme, paprika, garlic powder, and more. It’s the best and easiest way to make sure your turkey always tastes the best.
This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.
Why We Love This Turkey Rub Recipe
We have found this simple Thanksgiving Turkey Seasoning to be our go-to blend for the holidays. Homemade spices can make all the difference when making a homemade turkey.
- Simple. You only need a handful of dried herbs and savory spices to make this seasoning.
- Flavorful. These classic herbs and spices enhance the natural flavor of the turkey rather than covering it up.
- Versatile. Whether you cook a whole bird or just the breast/legs, you’ll love the way this seasoning mix makes it taste!
Variations on Turkey Seasoning
Feel free to add more herbs, such as basil and oregano. For a smokier flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika, and for a spicier rub, try adding some cayenne pepper (start with ¼ teaspoon). Add a touch more sweetness with some brown sugar.
How to Store
Store leftover turkey rub in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months. Discard any turkey rub that has touched raw turkey. I recommend pouring out a little bit of the rub at a time into a separate bowl to avoid contaminating the entire batch.
How to Freeze
Freeze turkey rub in an airtight container for up to 1 year. Use directly from the freezer.
Serving Suggestions
This turkey seasoning rub is so delicious on your Thanksgiving turkey, turkey breast, or even turkey burgers!
Turkey is a great base for a wide variety of flavors, both sweet and savory. This rub is primarily savory, playing up classic thanksgiving flavors such as sage, rosemary, and thyme. Other flavors that pair well with turkey include brown sugar, maple, basil, lemon, and oregano.
A turkey rub is something you add to the turkey right before cooking it to impart flavor, whereas a dry brine is added in advance and is more salt-heavy in order to draw out the turkey’s moisture.
Generously apply the seasoning to the outside of the turkey, then rub it into the skin and meat. I recommend lifting the skin away from the meat and placing some of the rub between the meat and skin as well.
Absolutely! You can place the rubbed turkey in the refrigerator loosely covered with plastic wrap for up to 24 hours before you cook it.
You can use as much as you like. Be generous with it! This recipe makes enough rub to coat a large bird.
Put this Turkey Rub to use on these recipes:
- Roasted Turkey Breast
- Easy Thanksgiving Turkey
- Smoked Turkey Breast
- Grilled Turkey
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Turkey Rub Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons ground sage
- 2 tablespoons dried rosemary
- 2 tablespoons dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons ground paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a small dish.2 tablespoons kosher salt, 2 tablespoons ground sage, 2 tablespoons dried rosemary, 2 tablespoons dried thyme, 2 tablespoons ground paprika, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- Use as a rub on a turkey breast or Thanksgiving turkey.
Becky’s Tips
- Feel free to add more herbs, such as basil and oregano.
- For a smokier flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
- For a spicier rub, add some cayenne pepper. Start with ¼ teaspoon.
- Add some brown sugar for a hit of sweetness.
- Mix this spice blend with a bit of olive oil or melted butter for a wet rub!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Turkey Rub Step by Step
Mix and Go: Combine 2 tablespoons of kosher salt, 2 tablespoons of ground sage, 2 tablespoons of dried rosemary, 2 tablespoons of dried thyme, 2 tablespoons of ground paprika, 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of onion powder, and 2 teaspoons of ground black pepper in a small bowl. Use this mixture as a rub on a turkey breast or Thanksgiving turkey.
I’ve used this on quite a few Thanksgiving turkeys and it’s fantastic! I lower the salt for health reasons and it’s still great!!
Hi
Why do that Whole turkey bird look so burnt. Did you overcook it.
Sometimes the seasonings catch in the oven, but to be honest, we like our turkey extra-crispy! Always monitor towards the end of the cook time, and tent the bird with foil if it’s browning more than you’d like!