This Homemade Turkey Rub is the perfect way to add some delicious flavor to your Thanksgiving turkey! Mixing classic spices like paprika, garlic powder, and dried thyme makes this the best seasoning for a flavorful turkey.
Whether you're roasting, air-frying, or smoking your bird – just rub it on for crispy skin and juicy meat every time. You can't go wrong with this spice blend.
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- It's a delicious blend of savory spices that will taste amazing on your holiday turkey.
- It's easy to customize to suit your taste buds.
- You can use the same blend for a pork tenderloin or other poultry.
- It's made with pantry staples and requires no special ingredients.
🧾 Ingredient List
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- paprika
- Kosher salt
- cracked black pepper
- dried thyme
- dried rosemary
- garlic powder
- onion powder
🍲 Equipment
- mixing bowl
- whisk or spoon
- storage container or glass jar
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
Step 1: Combine all ingredients; paprika, Kosher salt, black pepper, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Step 2: Whisk until fully combined. Store the spices in an airtight container in a cool, dry cabinet or space for up to 3 months.
👩🏻🍳 Eileen's Tips for Success
- If you want to get crispy skin on your turkey make sure that you dry the turkey skin well with paper towels.
- Want this homemade homemade rub to stick well to the outside of the turkey? After you dry the turkey pour a small amount of olive oil or melted butter on the turkey and then coat it in the rub.
- It's best to store this smoked turkey rub in a cool dry place. I like to use a glass container.
- The paprika in this recipe is mostly for color, so feel free to skip it if you prefer. Without it, your turkey will have a nice golden hue to it.
- If you are short on time you can rub this dry brine on the turkey skin and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Overnight works best though.
📋 Frequently Asked Questions
For a 10-pound turkey, you should use about ¼ cup of the rub. You can adjust it up or down depending on your taste preferences. I recommend that you use about 1 ½ tablespoons per pound of meat.
Absolutely, turkey seasoning rub is great on poultry, or even on pork like pork tenderloin. Feel free to get creative with it.
Yes, I recommend that you rub your turkey the night before you are ready to make it. That helps the dry brine soak in.
📖 Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways that you increase the flavor of this dish.
- You can switch out the black pepper for white pepper if you want to add a little more flavor.
- Want to add a touch of heat to your turkey dry rub? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a little spice.
- Table salt or even sea salt can be used in place of Kosher salt.
- When you are rubbing this perfect blend of spices onto your turkey, you can add a small amount of lemon zest or orange zest for a zing of kitchen flavor.
❄️ Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Store your dry rub in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Just keep it a cool dark place. Feel free to make a big batch so you always have it ready.
🥣 Serving Suggestions
This Smoked Turkey Breast is the perfect turkey to make if you are feeling a small family and don't need to cook the whole bird. The crispy skin of the turkey breast has a great flavor, you can't go wrong. The turkey rub would be a delicious addition.
This Air Fryer Turkey Breast recipe has a crispy and flavorful outside with juicy chicken on the inside. It's a great way to save oven space on the big day when space is limited. Another hit with this turkey rub.
If you are looking for a more classic roast turkey for your holiday meal check out this Roasted Turkey Breast with Bourbon Glaze. There is nothing better than a classic recipe like this one.
🍽 Similar recipes
Not a fan of the traditional green bean casserole? These Roasted Green Beans are another great way to satisfy your green bean craving without the cream soups.
If you ask me, you can't have Thanksgiving dinner without mashed potatoes as a side. and these Instant Pot Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes are creamy, savory, and the perfect recipe to make to crowd your crowd.
These Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars are one of my Thanksgiving recipes to make. You can start with dessert first, right? Can't run out of room before enjoying these divine bars!
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Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.
Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Turkey Dry Rub
Equipment Needed:
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons paprika
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1 Tablespoon cracked black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 Tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients; paprika, Kosher salt, black pepper, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Whisk until fully combined.
- Store in a covered airtight container in a cool, dry cabinet or space for up to 3 months.
Notes
- If you would like to skip paprika, you can, as it’s mostly to give a nice color to the finished turkey. Paprika gives a nice dark, almost rust color. Without using the paprika, the turkey will have a more golden color.
- For the best results, cover the entire turkey well with the mixture and then let it rest as a dry brine rub for at least 30 minutes before taking the next steps in the cooking process. For a more intense flavor of the spices, let the dry brine sit overnight on the turkey
- Be sure to get some of the rub under the skin of the turkey.
- This recipe will season up to 2 whole turkeys, depending on the weight of the turkey.