Best Rub For Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey (2024 Updated)

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Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and the thought of a perfectly smoked turkey is already making our mouths water! But, like any good dish, it's all about the seasoning, and that's where the rub comes in. A good rub can make all the difference when it comes to flavor and texture, but with so many options out there, it can be hard to know where to start.

So, what are the key points to consider when looking for the best rub for your smoked Thanksgiving turkey? Firstly, it's important to consider the flavor profile you're going for. Do you want something spicy, sweet, or savory? Next, think about the texture of the rub. Do you want it to be coarse or fine? This can affect how it adheres to the turkey and how it cooks. Thirdly, pay attention to the ingredients. Are they natural, high quality, and fresh? Fourthly, consider the cooking method. Will you be smoking your turkey or roasting it in the oven? This can affect the flavor and texture of the rub. Finally, think about the quantity. How much rub do you need to cover your turkey, and what's the shelf life of the rub?

By considering these key points, you can find the best rub for your smoked Thanksgiving turkey, and make sure it's a meal to remember!

10 Best Rub For Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey

1. Miners Mix Poultry Perfection: Low Salt, All Natural Seasoning For Chicken & Turkey (5.2oz – 1 Pack)

Miners Mix Poultry Perfection is a gourmet seasoning blend that is perfect for making oven roasted, BBQ, grilled, smoked, or deep fried chicken, as well as Thanksgiving turkey. This seasoning blend is made with clean, natural ingredients, including only real herbs and spices, and contains no flavor enhancers, artificial flavors or colors, preservatives, soy, wheat, or ingredients with more than three syllables.

One of the standout features of Poultry Perfection is its low sodium level, with only 55 mg per serving compared to the near 300 mg per serving found in many top competitors. This makes it a healthier option for those watching their sodium intake.

When it comes to turkey, Poultry Perfection is the best rub for oven roasting. Its blend of spices, including onion, garlic, and mild chile, creates an authentic, slow-roasted rotisserie flavor that is perfect for your holiday Thanksgiving turkey. It is also great for all types of chicken and poultry, whether deep-fried, grilled, roasted, or smoked.

Poultry Perfection is proudly made in the USA since 2009 with an uncompromising commitment to quality. This seasoning blend has been a top seller for many years with thousands of satisfied customers.

Miners Mix is a small family-owned business located next to Yosemite National Park in Central California. They are dedicated to using only the finest ingredients and creating unique and delicious seasoning blends that make cooking easy and enjoyable. With Poultry Perfection, you can create flavorful and healthy meals for your family and friends with ease.

2. Traeger Grills Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill And Smoker With Wifi Smart Home Technology, Black

The Traeger Grills Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker with WIFI Smart Home Technology is a top-of-the-line grill that allows users to achieve wood-fired taste without ever using gas or charcoal again. Traeger originally created the wood-pellet grill as a way to achieve this unique flavor, and the Ironwood 885 takes it to the next level with precise temperature control up to 500°F.

One of the most innovative features of the Ironwood 885 is its connected home technology. With WiFIRE technology, users can connect their grill to their home WiFi and control it from anywhere using the Traeger app. This allows for greater convenience and flexibility when cooking, as users can check on their food and adjust the temperature or cooking time without physically being near the grill.

The Ironwood 885 is also incredibly versatile, offering 6-in-1 functionality that allows users to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ all on the same grill. The porcelain grill grates make clean-up a breeze, while the built-in meat probe allows users to cook their food to perfection every time.

As the market leader in pellet grills, Traeger has continued to innovate and improve their products. The Ironwood 885 features an upgraded D2 drivetrain that starts quicker, heats up faster, and puts out better quality smoke. This ensures that users can achieve the perfect wood-fired flavor every time they grill or smoke their food.

With 885 square inches of grilling space, the Ironwood 885 is built for family cooking. It can accommodate ten chickens, seven rib racks, or nine pork butts effortlessly, making it ideal for hosting large gatherings or cooking for a big family. Overall, the Traeger Grills Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker with WIFI Smart Home Technology is a top-of-the-line grill that offers unmatched flavor and convenience for anyone who loves to grill or smoke their food.

3. Kosmos Q Turkey Brine – 16 Oz, Award-Winning Made In Usa For Whole, Smoked, Oven-Roasted Or Fried Turkey.

Kosmos Q Turkey Brine is a game-changing product that promises to take your turkey cooking to the next level. This 16 oz BBQ brine mix is designed to make your turkey juicy, flavorful, and downright delicious, whether you're smoking, oven-roasting, or frying it. Made in the USA, this award-winning turkey brine is a must-have for anyone who loves to cook and wants to impress their guests with mouth-watering flavors.

The secret to the success of Kosmos Q Turkey Brine lies in its rich blend of seasonings and spices. The brine kit has been carefully crafted to add moisture and unique spice to any turkey. Whether you're cooking for a large gathering or a small family dinner, this brine mix will help you achieve perfectly cooked, juicy, and flavorful turkey every time.

To use the Kosmos Q Turkey Brine, simply mix one cup of the brine with one gallon of water and cover your turkey completely. Let it soak for 4-6 hours, then finish off with your favorite Kosmos seasoning and cook to juicy, dripping perfection. This versatile soak can be used with any whole turkey, breast, or other cuts, making it perfect for elevating your plates and adding depth to smoked turkey, legs, and wings.

The ingredients in the Kosmos Q Turkey Brine are simple yet powerful. Salt, brown sugar, and robust spices meet tangy Worcestershire to create a mix that will change everything you thought you knew about the perfect turkey. With this brine mix, you can get tender, crowd-pleasing, unbelievably juicy cuts every time.

The Kosmos Q Turkey Brine is an award-winning product that has been recognized for its outstanding flavor and quality. It has been designed for home cooks and professional chefs alike who want to take their turkey cooking to the next level. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, you'll find that this brine mix is easy to use and delivers consistent, delicious results every time.

In conclusion, the Kosmos Q Turkey Brine is a must-have for anyone who loves to cook and wants to impress their guests with mouth-watering flavors. It's easy to use, versatile, and delivers consistent, delicious results every time. So, why not try it out and see for yourself how it can transform your turkey cooking?

4. Rub With Love By Tom Douglas (Turkey, 3.5 Oz)

Rub with Love by Tom Douglas is a classic dry rub turkey seasoning that enhances the flavor of any Thanksgiving dinner. This versatile seasoning can be used in a brine, roasting, or baked turkey to give you more options when preparing your holiday meal.

Made with natural fall ingredients, this delicious blend includes brown sugar, coriander, orange peel, black pepper, thyme, and ground chipotle chili pepper. It adds zest to any meal and gives you that amazing flavor that makes you think of the holiday season.

Not only does this turkey seasoning pair well with traditional Thanksgiving dishes, but it also expands your favorite recipes. Rub with Love herb and spice seasoning is great with ribs, steaks, brisket, chicken thighs, and more. It is the perfect ingredient to take your cooking to the next level.

This smoked turkey rub contains no gluten, MSG, or added preservatives, making it a pure and high-quality blend. You can rest assured that you are getting the very best dry rub blend in every container.

Tom Douglas, a renowned chef and restaurateur, created Rub with Love with the intention of bringing his delicious flavors to home cooks. With this turkey seasoning, you can now take a little piece of his culinary expertise into your own kitchen.

In conclusion, Rub with Love by Tom Douglas is a must-have ingredient for anyone looking to elevate their holiday cooking. Its natural fall ingredients, rich smoked flavor, and versatility make it an excellent addition to any meal. And with its pure, high-quality blend, you can trust that you are getting the very best flavor in every container.

5. Fully Cooked Herb Roasted Turkey Complete Meal From Kansas City Steaks

Kansas City Steaks delivers a complete meal that is perfect for any occasion with their Fully Cooked Herb Roasted Turkey Complete Meal. The meal includes a 10-12 lb fully cooked herb roasted turkey, 32 oz of baked potato casserole, 30 oz of creamed spinach, and an 8-inch lemon cream cake.

The turkey is already cooked to perfection, which saves time and effort for the host or hostess. The turkey is seasoned with a blend of herbs that give it a rich and flavorful taste. It is also generously sized to feed a large group of people. The turkey is juicy and tender, making it a crowd-pleaser.

The baked potato casserole is made with tender potatoes, butter, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, making it a comforting and delicious side dish. The creamed spinach is a classic side dish that is creamy and flavorful. It is made with fresh spinach, heavy cream, and a hint of garlic, which makes it a perfect complement to the turkey.

To top off the meal, the lemon cream cake is a sweet and tangy dessert that is perfect for any occasion. It is made with rich, buttery cake layers and a creamy lemon filling that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

The Fully Cooked Herb Roasted Turkey Complete Meal from Kansas City Steaks is perfect for any holiday, family gathering, or special occasion. It is easy to prepare and will save the host or hostess time and stress in the kitchen. The meal is also packaged with care to ensure that it arrives at your doorstep fresh and ready to serve.

Overall, the Fully Cooked Herb Roasted Turkey Complete Meal from Kansas City Steaks is a delicious and convenient option for anyone who wants to serve a high-quality and impressive meal without the hassle of cooking everything from scratch.

6. Whole Alligator – Skinned With Head And Feet On (Medium)

Creole Foods of Louisiana offers a unique and exotic addition to your next gathering or event with their Medium Whole Skinned Alligator. This statement piece is sure to impress your guests and leave a lasting impression.

Weighing in at 8-12lbs, these farm-raised alligators from Louisiana are delivered right to your front door in a frozen ice chest with dry ice. The premium meat is sure to please even the most discerning of palates, with its rich and unique flavor.

Due to FedEx delays caused by Covid-19, Creole Foods of Louisiana is currently only offering express shipping for their alligator products. However, customers can rest assured that their order will arrive in perfect condition and ready for cooking.

All alligators are shipped in ice chests with 2-3 day FedEx express shipping to ensure they remain frozen upon arrival. Creole Foods of Louisiana is proud to be the #1 gator shipper in the nation, offering customers the peace of mind that their order will be handled with the utmost care.

To ensure the freshest possible product, alligator orders are only shipped out on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Customers placing orders on Thursdays, Fridays, or over the weekend can expect their order to be shipped the following Monday.

In conclusion, Creole Foods of Louisiana's Medium Whole Skinned Alligator is the perfect addition to any gathering or event, offering a unique and exotic taste that is sure to please. With their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, customers can trust that they are getting the best possible product and service.

Best Rub For Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey FAQs

Can I use the same rub for both the outside and inside of the turkey when smoking it for Thanksgiving?

Yes, you can use the same rub for both the outside and inside of the turkey when smoking it for Thanksgiving. However, it is important to note that the inside of the turkey will not have as much exposure to the rub as the outside, so you may want to apply more rub to the outside. Additionally, some people prefer to use a different type of seasoning or flavoring for the inside of the turkey, such as stuffing or aromatics like garlic and herbs. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and the flavor profile you are trying to achieve. Just be sure to thoroughly coat the turkey with the rub and allow it to marinate for several hours or overnight before smoking to ensure maximum flavor.

How long should I let the turkey sit with the rub before smoking it?

Ideally, you should let the turkey sit with the rub for at least 12 hours before smoking it. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and enhances the taste. However, if you're short on time, you can let it sit for as little as 2-3 hours, although the flavor may not be as intense.

It's important to note that the type of rub you use can also impact the length of time you should let the turkey sit. For example, a dry rub can be left on for longer periods, while a wet rub may need less time.

Ultimately, the goal is to let the rub work its magic on the turkey, so be patient and give it as much time as possible. If you're unsure, you can always do a taste test after a few hours to see if the flavor has developed enough.

Should I use a dry rub or a wet rub for a smoked Thanksgiving turkey?

When it comes to smoking a Thanksgiving turkey, both dry rub and wet rub can be used. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired outcome. A dry rub is a mixture of dry herbs and spices that is rubbed onto the turkey's surface, creating a flavorful crust that enhances the natural flavor of the meat. A wet rub, on the other hand, is a mixture of herbs, spices, and liquid ingredients, such as oil, vinegar, or citrus juice, that is applied to the turkey's surface. This creates a flavorful marinade that penetrates the meat, resulting in a moist and juicy bird.

Dry rubs are ideal for those who want a crispy exterior and a more concentrated flavor, while wet rubs are perfect for those who prefer a moist and tender turkey with a slightly milder flavor. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on personal preference and desired outcome.

What are the most essential ingredients for a great rub for a smoked Thanksgiving turkey?

A great rub for a smoked Thanksgiving turkey should have a balance of flavors that complement the natural taste of the bird. Some essential ingredients include salt, which helps to bring out the turkey's flavor and tenderize the meat. Pepper adds a kick of heat while herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage bring an earthy flavor. Paprika adds a smoky flavor and a reddish hue to the turkey's skin. Brown sugar adds sweetness, and garlic and onion powder add depth and complexity to the rub. For those looking to add some heat, cayenne pepper or chili powder can be added. Overall, the key is to balance the flavors and avoid overpowering the turkey's natural taste.

What types of herbs or spices work best in a Thanksgiving turkey rub?

A Thanksgiving turkey rub typically includes a combination of herbs and spices that add flavor and moisture to the bird. Some of the most popular herbs used in turkey rubs include thyme, rosemary, sage, and parsley. These herbs add a savory flavor to the turkey while also helping to retain moisture during cooking. Other commonly used spices in turkey rubs include garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika. These spices add a depth of flavor to the turkey and can help to create a beautifully browned crust. Ultimately, the best combination of herbs and spices for a turkey rub will depend on personal preference, but a classic combination of thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic powder, and black pepper is a great place to start.

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