Turkey Rub Recipe

Spices for turkey rub in a bowl from the top view.

This Turkey Dry Rub Recipe combines herbs, spices, and brown sugar for a classic holiday seasoning blend that's perfect for your Thanksgiving turkey. You can also keep a jar of this blend in your pantry year-round to use on chicken, burgers, and even veggies.

Course Seasoning

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings 12 pound turkey

Calories 104kcal

Author Aysegul Sanford

Ingredients

1 tablespoon light brown sugar or coconut sugar
1 tablespoon paprika or smoked paprika
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried ground sage or oregano
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons kosher salt* or 1 tablespoon table salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Mix everything in a bowl and store it in an airtight container for up to three months.

Notes

Servings: This recipe makes approximately ⅓ cup turkey seasoning, which will be enough for a 10-12 pound turkey.
Salt: This recipe uses Diamond Kosher salt, which is less salty than Morton Kosher Salt and table salt. If you don't have Diamond Kosher salt, you can use half the amount of Morton Kosher Salt or table salt.
Storage: For long-term storage, place it in an airtight container and keep it in your pantry. It should be good for up to 3 months.
To Season Turkey for Baking:
- Pat dry: Use paper towels to pat dry the turkey on all sides.
- Apply the dry rub: Try to cover the whole bird with the seasoning mixture, paying attention to all the turkey parts, and don’t forget to apply some seasoning under the skin of the turkey.
- Place turkey in the fridge: Place the seasoned turkey in a shallow roasting pan and store it in the fridge, uncovered, for 12 hours. Letting it fully dry will result in super crispy skin. However, if you’re worried about leaving the turkey uncovered in your fridge, you can cover it loosely with foil or plastic wrap. Just make sure to pat the skin dry before roasting to help it crisp up in the oven.

Nutrition