10 Simple and Easy Turkey Seasonings and

Rubs (for Thanksgiving and Beyond)

What is the best Thanksgiving turkey recipe? Of course, there is no one absolute best way to season a turkey, but that’s part of the excitement — the possibilities are endless! How do you add flavor to Thanksgiving turkey? Try one of these fantastic turkey seasoning mixes presented by How Long To Cook to bring some fresh, festive delight to your Thanksgiving dinner:

While you’re at it, be sure to learn how long to cook a whole turkey before you get started this Thanksgiving. If you need a recipe, check out this easy traditional turkey recipe.

What Herb Compliments Turkey?

There are many herbs that can bring your turkey game to the next level. Some of the classic Thanksgiving herbs are parsley, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and sage. What is the most used herb in Thanksgiving cooking? Of course, this will vary by region and household, but one of the most popular Thanksgiving herbs is sage. The musky, astringent, yet warm character of sage really elevates Thanksgiving rubs, stuffing, and other dishes. You can find it in the Holiday Rub and holiday roast turkey seasonings featured on the infographic.

When Should I Season My Turkey?

You can add seasoning to a turkey the night before the big day or as far in advance as a couple of days. You can dry brine your turkey for maximum flavor, juiciness, and crispiness. What is a dry brine, and how do you dry brine? A dry brine is also called presalting — it involves rubbing salt and seasonings directly onto the meat and skin and letting it rest in the fridge for some time. Many of the Thanksgiving seasoning mixes featured on the infographic would work wonderfully as a delectable dry brine.

What Should I Baste My Turkey With?

Is it better to baste turkey with butter or oil? It depends. Oil will create a crispier skin because it has no water content. Many experts don’t recommend butter because it can create a splotchy texture, but on the other hand, the higher moisture content can yield juicier meat. And some chefs say that you shouldn’t baste at all.

If you do choose to baste, first, make sure that you dry the turkey skin thoroughly after a brine to avoid soft, lumpy skin. Many cooks will opt to leave the skin uncovered for several hours before roasting to air-dry the skin. Less water on the skin’s surface means more opportunity for the skin to get crispy in the oven. After ensuring that the turkey skin is dry, rub it with a fat like oil or butter. Be sure to generously add seasoning to the fat. You can also try the turkey mayo rub technique.

What Does Mayo Do for a Turkey?

Mayonnaise is a beloved, not-so-secret ingredient for moist Thanksgiving turkey, and it is featured in our chipotle mayonnaise Thanksgiving seasoning mix. By slathering a turkey inside and out with mayonnaise, it ensures that the meat stays moist and tender during the roasting process while protecting the natural crispiness of the skin. Best of all, it does not create an overpowering mayo flavor, so really, it’s a win-win. If you’re wondering how to keep Thanksgiving turkey moist, it might be worth giving mayo a try!