What herbs go with turkey? Heres 9 of the best herbs for turkey

Share this!

If you are planning to have a traditional meal these holidays, you might be wondering what herbs go with turkey. In this article we reveal what we think are the best herbs for turkey, as well as some of our favorite ideas for using them.

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my affiliate policy here.

What herbs go best with turkey?

Roasted turkey is a classic dish, and it’s become a staple for holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving. One of the most important steps in preparing a roasted turkey is to get the seasoning right.

Turkey is best when seasoned with lots of fresh herbs since they add to the meat’s mild flavor. And because the flavor of turkey is mild, it works well with lots of different herb combinations.

Make your own flavorful turkey seasoning or homemade turkey rub using fresh or dried herbs. You could use a classic herb mix recipe like herbs de Provence, or get creative and craft your own signature blend.

To get you started, here are some of the best traditional herbs that go with turkey. You can use any of these or a combination (they all work together), to create your ideal turkey herb seasoning mix.

Best herbs for turkey

1. Rosemary

Rosemary is a traditional herb that pairs well with turkey. The sharp, piney notes of rosemary go very well with poultry (and most meats actually). Rosemary is guaranteed to add a Christmassy aroma to your house during cooking, getting everyone in the festive mood!

If using fresh rosemary, the leaves need to be stripped off the stems before using.

To use rosemary for seasoning turkey, either finely chop and mix with butter, use in a seasoning rub, and/or place whole sprigs of rosemary inside the cavity.

2. Thyme

Also read: Turkey Rub Recipe – Dinner at the Zoo

Thyme is another traditional holiday turkey seasoning herb. It has a delicate and woody flavor that’s a good match for turkey, but it also works well with other poultry, meats, and vegetables.

Lemon thyme is a variety of thyme with citrus notes to its flavor. This is a great match for turkey because citrus is another flavor that goes really well with turkey.

To use thyme or lemon thyme to season your turkey, strip the leaves from the stems, finely chop and mix with butter or use in a seasoning rub. You can also place whole sprigs of thyme inside the cavity to boost flavor from the inside.

3. Sage

Sage is another classic herb that people think of at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The peppery, slightly lemony flavor pairs well with turkey (and all poultry), and is said to reduce the slightly sour taste that turkey can sometimes have.

Make sure you remove the leaves from the tough stalks first before finely chopping and adding to seasoning rubs, herb butter, or inside the turkey cavity. You can also use dried rubbed sage instead of fresh if you don’t have any fresh sage to hand.

4. Bay leaves

Bay leaves have a fresh, fruity (almost minty) flavor. They are generally used dried and whole. Bay has a subtle aroma, but adds another level of flavor to the dish, and is best used in combination with other herbs.

When seasoning a turkey, bay leaves are generally used by placing a few into the turkey cavity during roasting so that the flavor infuses into the bird from the inside.

5. Parsley

Parsley is a classic herb used in many types of cuisine. Parsley is valued for its role in blending other flavors, so use in combination with other herbs for best results.

If using fresh parsley, flat-leaf parsley (or Italian parsley) is typically preferred over curly parsley, as it has a stronger, richer flavor.

Finely chop parsley and add to herb seasoning mix or compound butter. If you’re looking for a more intense flavor, try adding some of the stems as well.

6. Oregano

Oregano has a mild sweet, aromatic flavor, similar to sweet basil. This herb is great with turkey, and pairs well with garlic, lemon, and pepper.

Also read: Spiced Roast Turkey – Immaculate Bites

Use oregano in a herb seasoning rub, or a compound butter.

7. Tarragon

Tarragon has a pungent, almost licorice flavor, and goes with dishes containing vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and peppers.

To use, chop the leaves finely, or add whole springs to the cavity of the turkey while it is roasting.

8. Marjoram

This herb has a woody pine and citrus flavor. It is related to oregano but has a sweeter flavor profile.

Finely chop fresh marjoram and then add to the turkey towards the end of cooking to preserve the delicate flavor.

9. Garlic

Yes I know, garlic isn’t a herb, but it is (IMO) so essential for seasoning turkey that I thought I would include it on this list anyway.

Whether you use freshly crushed garlic cloves, garlic powder, garlic salt, or just throw a whole bulb in to roast with the turkey, find a way to add some garlic to your turkey seasoning, your taste buds will thank you!

Ways to season turkey with herbs

You can select your favorite herbs from the list above, and use them to season your turkey in a few different ways, depending on your choice of cooking method.

Make a seasoning rub

To make a herb turkey seasoning rub, either use dried herbs or finely chopped fresh herbs. Add some salt and pepper, and other seasonings if you like (try onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, or chili pepper flakes)

To use a seasoning rub, drizzle the turkey with olive oil, then sprinkle the herb seasoning mix over the top and rub it into the skin. You can also rub some inside the cavity and under the skin to make sure the herbs are well infused into your turkey.

Also read: ground spice used to flavor roast turkey

Ideally, and if you have enough room in your refrigerator, you should refrigerate the bird for around 24 hours to allow the flavors to really infuse into the meat.

I have included a recipe for my favorite herb turkey seasoning mix below.

Make a herb butter

One of my favorite ways to season turkey is to make a herb compound butter. To do this simply mash the chopped or dried herbs with cubes of butter and a little salt.

Then you can either refrigerate the butter until it is firm and place slices of it under the turkey skin, or just slather the butter over the top of the turkey.

Like with using a herb seasoning mix, it is best if the turkey is seasoned a day ahead of time and allowed to infuse in the refrigerator for 24 hours before roasting.

See this post for my favorite compound butter for turkey.

Fill the cavity

Seasoning your turkey liberally is the key to making it taste extra delicious at Thanksgiving. A great way to add some extra herb flavor to your bird is to fill the cavity with a small bundle of your favorite herbs.

Halved or sliced lemon is also a good addition. This will infuse flavor into the meat from the inside, ensuring that every slice is perfectly seasoned.

You may also like:

• Herbs that go with chicken
• What herbs go with lamb?
• How to Use Sage in Cooking
• What to do with rosemary cuttings
• How to make a rosemary wreath

*This blog post contains affiliate links, this means if you click on a link and go on to buy the product I recommend, I will get a small commission, but you will not be charged a cent more – thanks in advance for your support!

Share this!