Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

whole turkey or whole chicken rub

(2 ratings)
Recipe by
Barbara Kavorkian
Two Harbors, MN

Give that little bird, or big one, a nice massage of these herbs to make your bird taste great! In the oven or on the grill, I have had many thanks with this rub. This would also be good for Cornish Hens.

(2 ratings)
yield 1 whole Turkey or Chicken
prep time 10 Min

Ingredients For whole turkey or whole chicken rub

  • 2 Tbsp
    rubbed sage or poultry seasoning
  • 1 Tbsp
    paprika
  • 1 Tbsp
    seasoned salt ( i use lawrey's)
  • 2 tsp
    garlic powder
  • 1 tsp
    ground black pepper
  • 3/4 tsp
    ground nutmeg
  • 1 lg
    onion, cut into wedges
  • 1 Tbsp
    vegetable oil
  • 1
    12-14 lb whole fresh or thawed turkey or chicken
  • 6
    bay leaves

How To Make whole turkey or whole chicken rub

  • 1
    Mix ingredients in a small bowl
  • 2
    Rinse turkey; pat dry. Place turkey, breast-side up, in prepared pan. Sprinkle about half of the seasoning mixture inside of turkey. Stuff with onion and bay leaves. Brush turkey breast with oil. Spread remaining seasoning mixture over entire surface and under skin of turkey. Add 1/2 cup water to pan. Cover turkey loosely with heavy duty foil.
  • 3
    Roast according to package directions.
  • 4
    Note: for whole smaller chicken (3 1/2lb-4lb) I use 1/2 rub. I also cut back on salt even further, never placing more than a dash or so for flavor and I do not miss it with all the other spices. If you are watching your sodium intake, give this a whirl and will not notice the small portion of salt, if any you add... or do not add.
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