Savory Herb Turkey Rub

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 11/23/21
Savory Herb Turkey Rub

The Spruce / Ali Redmond

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Yield: 3/4 cup

This savory wet rub is perfect for turkey. With fresh rosemary, sage, thyme, onion, garlic, and white wine, the combination of flavors with a touch of acid adds delicious savory flavor to the meat. Worcestershire sauce adds a punch of umami, as does a touch of balsamic vinegar. And since all you have to do is chop up the fresh ingredients and combine them, it's an easy way to make your turkey dinner centerpiece extra special.

Make the rub a day ahead of time for the best flavor. This recipe makes enough herb rub for one medium turkey, but you can also use it on a large chicken. The herbs marry well with traditional stuffing if you're making a holiday meal. Regardless of the bird or the occasion, make sure you get the rub under the skin to really season the turkey well.

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Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 4 teaspoons minced onion

  • 4 teaspoons minced garlic

  • 4 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

  • 4 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 tablespoon white wine

  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh sage

  • 2 teaspoons salt

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Savory Herb Turkey Rub ingredients

    The Spruce / Ali Redmond

  2. Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well, until the olive oil is well incorporated into the rest of the rub.

    Savory Herb Turkey Rub ingredients in a bowl

    The Spruce / Ali Redmond

  3. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels and apply the rub all over the bird, including the cavity. Make sure to get it under the skin of the breast. Discard any leftover rub that has come into contact with the raw meat. Roast the turkey using a preferred method or recipe.

    Savory Herb Turkey Rub on turkey

Recipe Variation

If you are interested in using some of this wet rub as a baste, simply prepare the recipe as directed but split the mixture in half. Use half as indicated above. Place the other half in a bowl and add 1/2 cup of water, white wine, or broth. Stir to combine. Halfway through cook time, begin basting with the mixture. Do so every 15 to 20 minutes until the turkey is almost done. Discard any remaining baste.

Tips

  • The rub will be easier to apply if you chop the aromatics and herbs very finely.
  • We suggest making the mixture a day before using to let the flavors combine appropriately. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

What Is the Best Way to Season a Turkey?

There are a few methods for seasoning a turkey, including brining, basting, and using a rub. Applying a dry or wet rub with flavorful ingredients like herbs as well as salt helps to give the bird more flavor. For the best results, apply a rub underneath the skin where possible.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
91 Calories
9g Fat
2g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 91
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 734mg 32%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 2mg 11%
Calcium 13mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 47mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)