Every year for the holidays, I make a delectable smoked turkey made with turkey brine and homemade smoked turkey rub. Add some side dishes such as cornbread dressing, make ahead mashed potatoes and sauteed cabbage for a complete feast! A smoked turkey has become an annual Thanksgiving tradition in my house. It’s actually quite simple to make, is loaded with flavor, and best of all, using a smoker frees up oven space for all those other baked Thanksgiving recipes. This dry rub is a must-have for the best possible holiday bird.
Smoked Turkey Rub Ingredients
The ingredients for this rub can be found at all major grocery stores.
Brown Sugar: This recipe calls for light brown sugar. Make sure your sugar is not lumpy before you add it to the bowl so that it will blend nicely with all the spices. Sweet Paprika: Spice rub calls for two types of paprika. Sweet paprika is often just labeled as “paprika”, and I use the sweet designation to distinguish it from hot and smoked paprika. Smoked Paprika: You can find smoked paprika along with regular paprika in the spice aisle. It has a nice, complex flavor that really enhances the turkey. Black Pepper: Pepper is a must-have for any spice mix to create that classic savory flavor profile. Kosher Salt: I use Diamond Crystal brand kosher salt in all my cooking. It doesn’t have any harsh after taste like you can sometimes find in standard table salt. Onion Powder: The onion powder adds dimension with both a sweet and savory flavor. Garlic Powder: You can never go wrong with garlic, and in this case, garlic powder is the way to go as it will stand up to a long cook time without burning. Mustard Powder: I find that mustard is often used in smoked and BBQ recipes to accentuate the flavor of the meat. Cayenne Pepper: While cayenne pepper is spicy, the amount used here is very small and adds flavor without a lot of heat. If you prefer a spicy rub, you’ll want to increase the cayenne to one teaspoon.
How Do You Make Smoked Turkey Rub?
Place all the ingredients in a small bowl, then stir until well combined. Transfer the rub to a jar or airtight container and store until you’re ready to use it.
Tips For The Perfect Spice Rub
I often double or triple this recipe so that I have some on hand for future use. While this is a smoked turkey rub, it also works well on other types of smoked meat including chicken and pork. You can also use it on turkey breasts instead of a whole turkey. I use light brown sugar in this rub. You can swap in dark brown sugar, just be aware that it will have a heavier molasses flavor. I recommend using this rub along with a wet brine for best results. Be sure to learn how to brine a turkey if you’ve never used this technique before. Unsure of how to smoke a Thanksgiving turkey? My smoked turkey recipe produces perfect results every time! You can also do a smoked turkey breast. I typically use an electric smoker, but a gas grill or charcoal grill will also work. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that your turkey is smoked to at least 165 degrees F. Keep any leftover rub in a jar or airtight container for storage. You can brush your turkey with a little melted butter or olive oil to help the spices adhere to the skin. This rub makes enough to cover a 12-15 pound turkey. Save your drippings to make homemade turkey gravy!
Flavor Variations
This recipe is fabulous as-is, but you can switch up the spices to create your own custom blend.
Spicy Rub: Try adding 1-2 teaspoons of ground chipotle pepper for a spicy and smoky kick. Cajun Rub: Stir in 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, and double the amount of cayenne pepper for a Cajun turkey. Herb Rub: Add dried herbs such as Italian seasoning, thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano and parsley.
If you’re smoking a turkey this year, you absolutely need a smoked turkey rub for optimal results! This is one of my all time favorite rub recipes because it’s so delicious.
