How to Season a Turkey to Make It Perfectly Juicy for Thanksgiving A dry, bland turkey is the worst thing that can happen to the meal.
When it comes to seasoning a turkey, there are some general rules to follow, but the process is customizable, so you can have fun introducing new flavors, from herbs and butter to bacon (yes please!). Although there are a lot of things that can go wrong, especially if it is your first time roasting a turkey, you will be off to an, ahem, flying start if you learn how to season a turkey properly. The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen has compiled a list of our favorite ways to make a Thanksgiving bird truly the star of your table to help you get started.
Check out our foolproof turkey cooking tips and our guide to determining how long to cook your turkey based on its weight after you have finished selecting the perfect seasoning for it. Are you looking for even more ideas for your Thanksgiving dinner? We also have a lot of delicious Thanksgiving side dish recipes for you to try.
1: Simply brine your bird!
turkey cut into pieces and served on a platter with gravy, cranberry sauce, and Mike Garten’s recipe The crucial (and incredibly simple!) dry saline solution. For the best flavor, juicy meat, and crispiest skin, the Test Kitchen uses this method. The process is as follows:Rub the turkey with herbs and 2 tablespoons of salt, then place it in a plastic bag and refrigerate. You can season your turkey the night before or up to two days in advance.
2 Vary the spices Cajun-spiced turkey served with grapes and figs on a platter Mike Garten Salt is a great (and non-negotiable) place to start, but there are a plethora of seasonings that can really elevate a bland bird. Try a red rub made with paprika, ground coriander, and garlic powder or a Cajun-style turkey rub made with smoked paprika, celery salt, and onion powder.
Advertisement – Continue Below 3 Slather seasoning everywhere with butter spice butter rub in a bowl Mike Garten Don’t just sprinkle salt on the turkey’s surface; season the turkey’s skin as well to give it a big flavor boost. Rub the softened butter all over the turkey and under the skin with your favorite spices and fresh herbs. Try adding paprika, ground coriander, and lemon zest to the butter, or use chopped parsley, sage, and rosemary to make it more traditional. In addition to the fact that this help seasons the bird, however it likewise makes the meat additional succulent.
