It’s time to upgrade that holiday turkey with my homemade turkey rub. Those flavors are poppin, and it couldn’t be any easier boos. Just grab your pantry staples and in five minutes, you will build this delish signature smoky, spicy, sweet, and herby seasoning blend that is ready to flavor your bird to drool worthy levels. And the best part is this turkey rub recipe couldn’t be easier to make.
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They’re Lovin’ It! Here’s what They’re Sayin’:
“This rub is so flavorful I use it on everything! Turkey, chicken, and my favorite – pork tenderloin. I think I may try it out on some seafood next.”
—STEPHANIE
Now y’all know the best, moistest, most flavorful turkeys start with a bold spice blend, and my homemade turkey rub is bringing the goods. Whether you decide to fry, grill or roast it, start right here with this recipe.
This easy-to-make spice blend turns a regular old bird into something extraordinarily delicious.
The Lowdown of This Turkey Rub recipe
Cuisine Inspiration: Classic Southern American Vibes
Primary Cooking Method: Roasting, Grilling or Smoking
Dietary Info: Gluten-Free
Key Flavor: Smoky, spicy and herby exposion
Skill Level: Easy y’all (No Sweat Fam!)
Beyond Easy and Adaptable
It’s so dang on easy to make a flavorful spice rub right at home! Homemade rubs allow you to control spice measurements and make larger batches so you can tuck them in the pantry for later y’all.
So Versatile
While this recipe is specific to turkey, you can add it to legit any and everything you can think of from chicken and seafood to roasted veggies and even popcorn boos.
Flavor on Flavor
Y’all my rub for turkey is seriously so bold. It brings out all of the best essences in your turkey. By the time you rub this one, you will be seasoning your bird like a pro.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Turkey Seasoning Rub
- Paprika: This is mild and sweet and pairs well with literally everything.
- Chili Powder: Chilis are smoky, rich, and deep in flavor and indulgence. And that gorgeous color just pops.
- Cumin: Rich, earthy, and hearty with an edge of citrus, cumin adds so much depth to any dish.
- Granulated Sugar: This enhances and balances the savory spices.
- Garlic + Onion Powder: These mimic the flavor of the aromatic undertones you get from roasted or sautéed onion and garlic.
- Ground Mustard: This sharp, fresh spice adds some tangy heat!
- Oregano: This is legit a robust herb with a peppery bite. It adds some much depth.
- Cayenne Pepper: We gotta bring a little heat and warmth to this rub so it kicks things up just a notch without spicing up the party too much.
How To Make Turkey Rub
How To Perfectly Season A Turkey
It ain’t that hard to get your turkey perfectly seasoned. Whether you use turkey wings, turkey legs or the whole dang on turkey, make sure you follow these steps. Start by rinsing and pat drying the entire turkey. For extra browning on the skin (and to help the seasoning stick), rub olive oil or some melted butter over the skin before working in the turkey seasoning rub.
Next, use your hands to really rub in the smoked turkey rub to all exposed parts of the turkey. This includes the inner cavity! If you can get a bit of the seasoning under the skin too, you’re gonna get a ton of extra flavor ya dig.
How to Serve Turkey made with Turkey Spice Rub
- Easy Weeknight Dinner: Rub this dry turkey rub on some chicken wings and serve along with Mexican rice, fried cornbread and steamed vegetables.
- Easy Holiday Meal: Make the roasted turkey legs with this turkey spice rub along with garlic mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, oyster dressing, and creamed spinach.
- Classic Southern Christmas: Get this sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole and potato rolls on the table with your turkey.
- Soul Food Thanksgiving: Y’all better serve up my aunt’s cornbread dressing made with Southern cornbread, homemade gravy, and Southern collard greens so you will enjoy the turkey a little bit more.
Recipe Variations
- Granulated Sugar: Try using brown sugar for a deeper, sweeter flavor in your turkey seasoning rub!
- Paprika: Grab smoked paprika rather than regular for more depth.
- Cumin: Use ground celery seed instead of cumin.
- Dried Rosemary: Use oregano instead.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Use Fresh Spices: Want to upgrade this turkey seasoning rub even more? Go for fresh spices like whole cumin and coriander and grind yourself. Just toast the whole spices in a dry pan for a few minutes before grinding.
- Do You Boo: Feel free to adjust the turkey dry rub recipe to your liking. Want more sugar? Add it! Want more heat? Add it. Build it based on your preferences.
- Let it Marinate: I recommend rubbing your turkey at least 6 (but up to 24) hours before cooking. Be sure to properly cover and refrigerate the turkey as it marinates!
How to Store Turkey Rub
This homemade rub for turkey should be stored in an airtight container and kept in a cool, dry place for 6-12 months. You can use this homemade turkey rub recipe to add life to just about any cut of poultry, steak, or pork!
Frequently Asked Questions
I usually do but you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I just find that the added fat helps to kickstart the cooking process and gets the browning going. From a neutral oil to melted butter, you can do you.
Absolutely boos! In fact, I highly encourage it! Seasoning your turkey ahead of time will help to tenderize the meat and infuse the most amount of flavor possible.
I go generous on the turkey because it requires a lot of seasoning so it ain’t bland y’all.
Y’all this turkey rub recipe is absolutely fantastic on basically anything you want to add bomb flavor to. Whether you pull this out for your Thanksgiving turkey or you add it to your weeknight chicken recipe, it’s gonna be a win.
More Fave Turkey Recipes
Homemade Turkey Rub
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup paprika
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk until combined.
- Rub the spice mixture all over your turkey, as well as under the skin, then cook as desired.
Notes
- This full recipe works well for an 8-10 pound turkey or two 4-pound chickens.
- Recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to suit a larger bird. I used the rub on turkey wings with great results!
- Spice rub can be made up to 2 months in advance. Store in an airtight container and keep in a cool, dry place.
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will this rub work on a turkey breast as well? sounds amazing
Yep it sure will.
I’m going to the store now to buy all the ingredients. I’m gonna try it on my chicken and then I’ll try it on my turkey. Thanks for the ingredients. You have a nice holiday.
Thank you! Have a wonderful holiday as well.
A must-try recipe, definitely this recipe is going to come in so handy during holiday dinners. Loved it.
Such a flavor-packed rub! A fav for sure!
I am absolutely loving all the spices you have used in this rub, I bet they are great for paneer, tofu and vegetables too.
This rub is so flavorful I use it on everything! Turkey, chicken, and my favorite – pork tenderloin. I think I may try it out on some seafood next.
I’ve never used a turkey rub but have been wanting to try for awhile now. Can’t wait to try this one!
Made this rub last night and used it on chicken (just to test) – we loved it! Such great flavours 🙂
I can’t believe how delicious and flavorful this rub is!
I love all the flavors in this rub! I can almost taste that crisp turkey skin with all those spices. And I’ll bet they make the gravy taste amazing, too.