Recipe

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This traditional turkey rub recipe adds incredible flavor with just 5 pantry spices. It's perfect for roasting, smoking, or frying your Thanksgiving turkey.

Whether you use it dry or turn it into a wet rub, this simple blend brings flavor to your turkey, and this post shows you how.

close up of 5 ingredients that make up turkey rub including salt, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, and sage

Turkey Rub Seasonings

Turkey is rather bland, so it doesn’t take much to enhance its taste. Let’s keep it simple and grab:

Sage: an earthy herb that’s a staple in all poultry seasoning.
Paprika: smoked paprika adds more depth, but regular works too.
Garlic powder: a classic aromatic you won’t want to omit.
Onion powder: makes everything taste better.
Salt: enhances the flavor of the other seasonings and the meat.

ingredients for homemade turkey rub in small glass bowls

For a smoky and sweet rub, add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, similar to a dry pork rub recipe.

How to Make Turkey Rub

Measure the spices into a bowl and mix them well to combine. Store it inside a spice jar or zip bag in the pantry for up to 2 months.

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How to Use Turkey Rub

This recipe yields enough for a 15 to 20-pound turkey, which you’ll want to pat dry first. It can be used as a dry or wet rub, depending on what you like and how you’re cooking the turkey.

As a Dry Rub

Generously rub the turkey seasoning all over the entire bird, using your hands to cover both the top and bottom, including under the skin and inside the cavity. This method is ideal for frying or smoking, as it helps the seasonings stick and form a flavorful, crispy crust.

As a Wet Rub

For roasted turkeys, mix the dry rub with melted butter or olive oil to form a paste, then rub it over and under the skin. The fats help lock in moisture and infuse the meat and skin with rich flavor while it roasts.

close up of homemade turkey rub spice mix in a bowl

When to Season a Turkey

You’ll want to season the turkey before baking, ideally the night before, and then refrigerate it with the rub on for the best flavor. After rubbing the spice mix over and under the skin, place the turkey in a large plastic bag or wrap it in plastic wrap to allow the flavor of the seasoning to soak in.

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More Turkey Rub Seasoning Variations

Keep the amounts of salt, garlic, and onion powder in the recipe card, then add one or more of the following herbs:

rosemary (1 teaspoon)
thyme (1 teaspoon)
oregano (1 teaspoon)
Italian seasoning (2 teaspoons)
Herbs de Provence (2 teaspoons)

Classic Turkey Rub Recipe

Servings: 16

Prep Time: 2

Total Time: 2

This traditional turkey rub recipe adds incredible flavor with just 5 pantry spices. It's perfect for roasting, smoking, or frying your Thanksgiving turkey.

5 from 38 votes

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Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder

Instructions

Mix the seasoning:

In a small bowl, combine the salt, dried sage, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until evenly combined.

For a dry rub (best for smoked or fried turkey):

Generously rub the seasoning over the turkey, on top of and under the skin, and inside the cavity. This method creates a flavorful crust and helps the seasoning stick during smoking or frying.

For a wet rub (best for roasted turkey):

Melt 4 tablespoons of butter or use olive oil and stir it into the spice mix to create a paste. Rub it over and under the skin. The added fat locks in moisture and gives the meat and drippings extra flavor.