Turkey Rub Recipe

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If you’re looking for the perfect turkey rub recipe to serve with your next holiday meal, you’ve found it! My recipe for turkey dry rub combines a tried-and-tested blend of spices that brings out the best flavor turkey has to offer. Keep a stock of this turkey seasoning in your pantry; it’s the secret to cooking a perfect, juicy turkey!

Jump to:

• Turkey Seasoning Rub
• Dry Rub for Turkey Ingredients
• Turkey Rub Recipe Instructions
• Turkey Seasoning Recipe Tips
• How to Season a Turkey
• How to Store Turkey Seasoning
• Turkey Rub Recipe FAQ
• Turkey Recipes
• Turkey Internal Temperature
• Homemade Seasoning Blends
• Pin it for later!
• Recipe
• Reviews

Turkey Seasoning Rub

Can I be honest with you? I love cooking turkey. Everyone is always telling me how stressed they get around the holidays, but personally, I look forward to making my Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys year over year.

Part of what makes it so fun for me is knowing that it’s going to taste great thanks to the turkey dry rub I use every year. It’s so flavorful, and perfect for pairing with butter rubs like my compound turkey butter or garlic butter sauce.

Trust me when I say that whenever I use this rub, I’m asked what the secret to my turkey is. You might think something so simple and easy can’t make that big of a difference, but it does! Give it a try and you’ll see what I mean!

I made my turkey using this homemade turkey spice rub and it was the best turkey I have ever made. My family loved it. It was the first time there were no leftovers.

Trisha on Pinterest

Dry Rub for Turkey Ingredients

• Smoked Paprika: Look for smoked paprika, not other options like hot or sweet paprika. That smoky flavor makes a difference! If all you have is another variety, though, that’s fine.
• Black Pepper: I prefer using freshly ground black pepper, but if you only have pre-ground, that is just fine. You can also use cayenne pepper instead if you like more spice.
• Garlic Powder: By using garlic powder, you can add a garlicky kick to your seasoning without risking burning any garlic. It really enhances everything.
• Chicken Flavor Bouillon Powder: Now, this is part of the trick that makes this turkey seasoning rub so fantastic! You would not believe what a flavor enhancement chicken bouillon powder is when added to seasoning. It makes such a difference!
• Sugar: I’m using granulated white sugar, but you can also use brown sugar, dark or light.
• Dry Mustard: Mustard powder is key to the flavor of this turkey rub recipe. I promise you’ll love it.

Turkey Rub Recipe Instructions

1. Add smoked paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, chicken flavor bouillon powder, sugar, and dry mustard to a bowl.
2. Whisk the turkey rub seasoning together until fully blended.
3. Use immediately or store with your other spices in a dry, cool location such as your pantry in an airtight container with a label. Enjoy!

Turkey Seasoning Recipe Tips

• I always add the rub to the turkey and gently brush with melted butter over top. This ensures the crispiest and most delicious turkey skin. Trust me, you will understand why once you do it this way!
• I like to rub the inside of the carcass with these savory spices. This will provide amazing flavor throughout the turkey, not just the skin.

How to Season a Turkey

Whether you’re using the whole bird or just the turkey breast or thighs, there are a few tips you should follow when seasoning turkey for the best flavor.

1. Generously coat your bird with the turkey spices.
2. Using your hands, pat down the seasoning and rub it into the skin and meat of the bird.
3. Lift the skin and season with dry rub for turkey underneath for even more flavor. If using a compound butter, you can also rub the butter under the skin for enhanced flavor.
4. Gently brush the turkey with plain butter or garlic butter.

How to Store Turkey Seasoning

1. Room Temperature: Store your turkey rub in an airtight container in a cool, dark place at room temperature, like the pantry, it can typically last for about 6 months while still retaining most of its flavor.
2. Refrigeration: If you want to extend the shelf life, you can store your turkey rub in the refrigerator. When stored in the fridge, it can last up to 1 year.
3. Freezing: For even longer storage, you can freeze your homemade turkey rub. When frozen, it can maintain its quality for up to 2 years.

Keep in mind that the flavor and potency of the spices and herbs in your rub may gradually diminish over time. To ensure the best flavor, it’s a good practice to periodically check the rub’s aroma and taste. If it has significantly lost its flavor, consider making a fresh batch.

Additionally, always use clean utensils to scoop out the rub to prevent contamination, and make sure the container is sealed tightly after each use to minimize exposure to air and moisture, which can shorten its shelf life. Proper storage and regular checks for freshness will help you determine when it’s time to replace your homemade turkey rub.

Turkey Rub Recipe FAQ

Turkey Recipes

• Cajun Turkey
• Smoked Turkey
• Spatchcock Turkey
• Instant Pot Turkey Breast
• My famous Thanksgiving Turkey

Turkey Internal Temperature

For more information on cooking times for turkey, check out our Turkey Temperature Chart! Don’t forget my Leftover Turkey Recipes, too.

Turkey Weight	People Fed	Roasting Time
10-18 pounds	feeds less than 10 people	roast for 3-3.5 hours at 350°F (unstuffed)
18-22 pounds	feeds 10 to 15 people	roast for 3.5-4 hours at 350°F (unstuffed)
22-24 pounds	feeds 16 to 20 people	roast for 4-4.5 hours at 350°F (unstuffed)
24-29 pounds	feeds more than 20 people	roast for 4.5-5 hours at 350°F (unstuffed)

Homemade Seasoning Blends

• Pork Seasoning
• Garlic Parmesan Fry Seasoning
• Coffee Rub
• Tri Tip Dry Rub
• Best Dry Rub for Steak

Recipe