Easy Homemade Turkey Seasoning – Smoked Turkey Rub Recipe

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This homemade turkey seasoning combines the very best flavors of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Herbal flavors of sage and thyme combined with savory and rich flavors like black pepper and kosher salt make for a festive mix. This homemade turkey seasoning recipe will be perfect for our smoked turkey.

Homemade Turkey Seasoning in a bowl
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Ditch bland turkey and make your friends and family say WOW with this homemade turkey rub. The perfect turkey should have great flavor both inside and outside. Whether using as a dry brine or as part of a wet brine and smoked turkey process, this easy turkey seasoning packs all the flavor for Thanksgiving Dinner or any turkey special occasion.

And the best part, you probably already have all the ingredients in your spice drawer!

Ingredients + Substitutions

When it comes to making the best homemade seasoning for turkey it starts with using readily available ingredients at your grocery store. Our approach to a dry rub is to balance kosher salt, savory, and sweet flavors. With a Thanksgiving Turkey spice blend we don’t want sweet flavors, we want more herbal and savory notes. Sugar can also caramelize and almost get bitter if roasting at a high temperature, so be aware of that.

Ingredients for turkey seasoning on a black slate platter with labels
  • Savory – Kosher salt, granulated garlic, and mustard powder bring a savory flavor to the turkey dry rub. If all you have is garlic powder, then cut the portions in half for garlic.
  • Herbal – Ground sage and ground thyme are our favorite Thanksgiving herbal flavors. The added dried fennel is aromatic and a very awesome flavor to taste after the turkey has cooked.
  • Heat – Black pepper adds heat. Additionally you can add cayenne pepper if you want more spicy flavors.

Kosher Salt versus Table Salt

We use kosher salt in all of our seasonings, and make a point to call this out. If you have table salt, or the salt that is typically iodized and in a blue circular container, do not use it. Please go buy kosher salt. It makes a huge difference.

If all you have is table salt then you need to cut the salt portion IN HALF.

We use Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt. Note that not all kosher salts are the same in weight and size, so if you are sensitive to salt then go light on the salt portion. You can always add more in small portions.

How To Make Homemade Turkey Seasoning

In a small bowl combine all your ingredients and mix together. The recipe portions are perfect for a whole bird. Roughly 1 cup per 16 – 18 pound whole turkey.

How to Store Dry Rub or Seasoning

If you plan to make a big batch, or make ahead, then place the turkey seasoning in an airtight container like a mason jar. Store in a cool dark place like your spice cupboard. Any direct sunlight will activate any moisture in the seasoning and make the seasoning clumpy. 

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A mason jar with turkey seasoning is the perfect vessel for storing rub.

Using Turkey Seasoning in a Recipe

  • Any seasoning should be applied after you have brined your turkey, rinsed dried, and added any flavor injector. 
  • Add the dry rub to the inside of the turkey cavity as well. That flavor infuses on the inside of the meat as well for maximum flavor.
  • Place the seasoned turkey into your desired cooker.

Tips + Chef Notes

  • Fresh herbs can get bitter when roasting or smoking a turkey, so use dried ingredients instead.
  • We do not add sugars to this seasoning, but if you want a sweeter rub then add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. The added molasses flavor is more pronounced than cane sugar.
  • This turkey seasoning is a critical part of dry brining for crispy turkey skin.
  • We have an entire article on our tips and tricks for making your first smoked turkey.

Homemade Turkey Recipes

We have a roundup of our favorite Thanksgiving Recipes or explore some of our favorites.


About Vindulge

Mary (a certified sommelier and recipe developer) and Sean (backyard pitmaster) are co-authors of the critically acclaimed cookbook, Fire + Wine, and have been creating content for the IACP nominated website Vindulge since 2009. They live in Oregon on a farm just outside Portland.

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Homemade Turkey Seasoning in a bowl
5 from 1 vote

Easy Homemade Turkey Seasoning Recipe

An easy Homemade Turkey Seasoning perfect for your Thanksgiving or Holiday Turkey. This no-sugar seasoning is savory and herbal for the ultimate flavor.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
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Ingredients 

  • ¼ cup coarse black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt, we use Diamond Crystal, (We do not recommend table salt, but if you use it then only use 1 tablespoon)
  • 2 tablespoons mustard powder
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic, (If you use garlic powder use half the portions)
  • 1 tablespoon dried sage
  • 2 teaspoons dried fennel, (See notes)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions 

  • Combine: In a small bowl combine all ingredients. Apply to your turkey after you have applied olive oil. Be sure to season the outside of the skin and inside the turkey cavity.
  • Storage: If making a larger batch then store in an airtight container like a mason jar in a dark cupboard. This seasoning will last up to six months.

Notes

Ingredient Notes: Use ground fennel. If you use dried fennel seeds then we recommend crushing them in a mortar and pestle or crushing with a hammer in a plastic bag. If you have a small hand blender you can also use that.
 
Portions: This portion is good for up to an 18 pound turkey. If yours is larger, double the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 190mg | Potassium: 1085mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 489IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 414mg | Iron: 10mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Course: seasoning
Cuisine: American, holiday
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 269
Keyword: turkey rub, turkey seasoning
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About Mary


I'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, founder of Vindulge, and author of Fire + Wine cookbook. Thanks for stopping by!

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