Turkey Dry Rub

This turkey dry rub blends fresh-ground dried herbs with brown sugar and paprika for golden, caramelized skin. It's the dry rub for smoked turkey I've used for seven years, and it works just as well on an oven-roasted bird.

Course Seasonings

Cuisine American

Keyword dry rub for smoked turkey, turkey dry rub, turkey seasoning recipe

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings tablespoons (about 1/2 cup)

Calories 19

Author Gina Dickson

Equipment

Ingredients

2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons smoked paprika use regular sweet paprika when smoking the turkey
1 tablespoon thyme dried
1 tablespoon rosemary dried
2 teaspoons sage store-bought ground sage, or whole dried leaves ground in the spice grinder
2 teaspoons marjoram dried
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons black pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt Pink Himalayan salt is also a great option for this rub recipe

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, ground sage, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons sage, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons black pepper
In a small coffee grinder, add the dried thyme, rosemary, and marjoram (plus the sage, if using whole dried leaves). Pulse the grinder a few times to finely chop the dried herbs to make a fine powder.
1 tablespoon thyme, 1 tablespoon rosemary, 2 teaspoons marjoram
Combine the herbs ground in the spice grinder with the other spice powders in the bowl. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Store the spice rub in an airtight container or jar until you are ready to use it.

Notes

How Much to Use: One batch seasons a 12- to 15-pound turkey (about 7 tablespoons). Use 5 to 6 tablespoons for a turkey up to 12 pounds, 1 to 2 tablespoons for a whole turkey breast, or 1 to 2 teaspoons per leg or wing.
Storage: Store in a sealed jar or container at room temperature for up to 3 months. Label your spice jars with the date made so you always know what's fresh.

Nutrition