Bring out the best in your holiday turkey with this simple homemade seasoning blend of sage, thyme, rosemary, paprika, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. It’s cozy, flavorful, and just as delicious on chicken or veggies year-round.

Turkey Seasoning in jar and measuring spoon

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Flavor: Savory and fragrant with earthy herbs, a touch of smoky paprika, and just a hint of nutmeg for that cozy holiday feel.
Technique: Lightly crush the dried rosemary to release more flavor.
Budget Tip: Look for store-brand spices; they’re usually cheaper and just as flavorful.
Serving Suggestion: Use about 1 tablespoon of seasoning per 1-2 pounds of turkey.

pepper , salt , paprika , thyme , nutmeg , rosemary , and sage on a plate to make Turkey Seasoning

What’s in Turkey Seasoning?

Salt: This recipe uses kosher salt, which is coarser than table salt. If using table salt, you’ll want to reduce the amount to 1 teaspoon or skip it entirely if using this recipe in soups or casseroles. Then you can add salt directly to the dish.
Herbs: This recipe is the perfect blend of dried herbs with lots of sage, a pinch of rosemary, and a hint of thyme, paprika, and black pepper.
Optional Additions: You can add other spices or seasonings to this recipe, such as garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, or parsley. A little cayenne pepper or even red pepper flakes will add some heat.

Skip the brown sugar! This turkey seasoning doesn’t include brown sugar since the pan drippings are used for gravy, and a savory flavor works best.

If you’d like to use this as a dry rub for poultry, you can add a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar (or to taste).

a whisk stirring homemade turkey seasoning on a plate

How to Season a Turkey

Pat the outside of the turkey dry with a paper towel (to help the skin crisp). Remove the neck and giblets from inside the cavity if present. I like to add salt and fresh herbs to the cavity before roasting.
Rub the whole bird with either melted butter or olive oil. Generously sprinkle with the turkey seasoning (recipe below) and rub it into the turkey skin.
Roast in the oven using your favorite turkey recipe or method (we love this roast turkey or spatchcock turkey).

Ways to Use Turkey Seasoning

It’s perfect rubbed on a whole Thanksgiving turkey (or turkey breast).
This seasoning recipe is great on other types of poultry like chicken thighs or Cornish hens, too. It’s even delicious on pork chops.
Use this homemade turkey rub to season roasted root vegetables.

Keeping Seasonings Fresh

Store in an airtight container: Use a tightly sealed jar, spice container, or any container that prevents air from entering.
Keep it in a cool, dark place: Avoid heat, sunlight, or humidity, which can degrade the herbs and spices. A pantry or cupboard works best.
Avoid moisture: Never scoop seasoning with a wet spoon, and keep it away from steam or liquids.
Shelf life: Properly stored, the seasoning should stay fresh for up to 6 months.

Holiday Prep Helpers

Did you make this Turkey Seasoning? Leave a rating and comment below!

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

spices to make turkey seasoning on a plate

5 from 11 votes

Author Holly Nilsson

Turkey Seasoning

Author Holly Nilsson

Servings 12

This homemade turkey seasoning is ideal for seasoning a whole turkey, a turkey breast, or even adding flavor to soups and casseroles.

Save Rate Print

Servings 12

Prep Time 3

Total Time 3

Equipment

Spice Jar or other jar with tight-fitting lid

Ingredients

▢ 2 teaspoons kosher salt *
▢ 1½ teaspoons ground sage
▢ 1 teaspoon black pepper
▢ 1 teaspoon ground thyme
▢ 1 teaspoon paprika
▢ 1 teaspoon dried rosemary lightly crushed*
▢ ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

Combine salt, sage, black pepper, thyme, paprika, rosemary, and nutmeg in a small bowl.
Store in a tightly sealed container for up to 6 months.

Notes

*Kosher salt has larger grains. If using table salt, reduce the salt to 1 teaspoon.
If you’d prefer, salt can be left out of the mixture, and it can be added to each meat or dish as desired.
To crush the rosemary, place it in a shallow bowl and use the bottom of a glass or small measuring cup to break the pieces apart.

5 from 11 votes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Pantry, Seasonings, Spices

Cuisine American

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