Easy Homemade Poultry Seasoning

It's rare that I buy pre-made spice blends from the store because I like to keep my spice cabinet well-stocked with individual spices.

And this DIY poultry seasoning blend is one I can almost always make whenever I need it.

In this recipe, I use oregano instead of marjoram. While marjoram is a classic herb in poultry seasoning, I often struggle to find it at my local store. Oregano offers a similar flavor and is usually easier to find.

I love using this homemade seasoning in dishes like roasted turkey, chicken soup, stuffing, and gravy.

Today, I’m walking you through how to make the best poultry seasoning, including which ingredients to use, tips for success, and some of my favorite ways to use this homemade blend.

What Is Poultry Seasoning?

Despite its name, poultry seasoning doesn't actually contain any poultry!

Instead, it's a blend of herbs and spices commonly used to season poultry and dishes containing poultry. While each blend will vary slightly, poultry seasoning usually contains sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram. Some variations may include additional ingredients like oregano, tarragon, nutmeg, and pepper.

Poultry seasoning boasts an earthy, herbaceous aroma and imparts a savory flavor to everything from roasted chicken and turkey breast to pot pies, soups, and stuffing.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy- It only takes about 5 minutes to mix up this homemade seasoning blend.
• Customizable- One of the benefits of making your own poultry spice blend is the ability to easily customize it to suit your tastes.
• Freshness- Making seasoning blends at home ensures that the ingredients are fresh, resulting in a more flavorful and aromatic seasoning.
• Versatile- It's not just for poultry dishes – this mix of herbs and spices can also be used in soups, stews, gravies, and even in vegetarian dishes to add a savory flavor.
• Budget-Friendly- Save money by creating spice blends from the pantry staples you likely already have on hand. Additionally, buying individual spices in bulk can be more cost-effective in the long run compared to purchasing pre-made blends.
• Great for Gifting- Share this homemade poultry blend with family and friends, especially during the holiday season.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on key ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Sage- A classic herb in poultry seasoning, ground sage has an earthy, musty, slightly peppery flavor.
• Thyme- Another earthy, slightly minty-flavored herb, thyme pairs well with sage.
• Oregano- I used oregano in this recipe because I don't often have marjoram on hand (and actually have a hard time finding it in my local grocery store). Feel free to use dried marjoram if preferred!
• Rosemary- With its distinctive pine-like scent and bold, woodsy flavor, rosemary compliments the other herbs in this seasoning blend well.
• Black Pepper- Use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor.
• White Pepper- The musty, more herbaceous flavor of white pepper pairs well with the rest of the poultry seasoning ingredients.
• Nutmeg- Warm, sweet, and slightly nutty, ground nutmeg balances the flavors of the savory herbs. Ground ginger, cinnamon, or allspice are all good substitutes.

🌱 Sustainability Tip: Buying dried herbs and spices in bulk or growing your own herbs can reduce the amount of packaging waste generated from individual spice containers.

Variations

Here are a few ways you can customize this easy homemade poultry seasoning recipe to fit your diet and taste preferences.

• Salted- Add up to 2 teaspoons of kosher salt for a salted variation.
• Garlic & Onion- Add up to one teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder to give this blend a more savory flavor.
• Spicy- For a spicy flavor, add a small amount of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
• Citrus- Dried orange zest or lemon zest can be used to add a pop of bright, citrusy flavor.

How to Make Poultry Seasoning

Here is how to make homemade poultry seasoning.

Step 1: Combine the spices. Combine all the dried herbs and spices in a small glass jar, ensuring it's dry and clean. Seal the jar and shake to blend.

Step 2: Use or store. Use immediately or label and store in a cool, dry, and dark place for up to six months.

Poultry Seasoning (Video)

Tips for Success

Make this classic poultry seasoning recipe successfully the first time using these helpful kitchen tips.

• Choose the right container. Opt for a clean, dry, and airtight container for optimal shelf life.
• Use fresh spices. Use the freshest dried herbs to ensure the most flavorful poultry seasoning.
• Avoid moisture. Keep the herbs and spices dry by using dry bowls, utensils, and storage containers. Moisture can lead to clumping, mold, and reduced quality.
• Store properly. Store your homemade seasoning in a cool, dark, and dry location to maintain its quality.
• Label and date. Stay organized and keep track of freshness by labeling and dating your seasoning blends.
• Customize. Feel free to adjust the blend to your liking. Add more of your favorite herbs and use less of those you're not as fond of. The recipe is flexible to suit your tastes.

👍 Quick Tip: You can customize the batch size by either halving or doubling the ingredient quantities to match your specific needs and preferences.

What is Poultry Seasoning Used For?

This easy poultry seasoning is a versatile blend, perfect for everything from roasts to soups.

Naturally, this herbaceous blend complements a variety of classic poultry dishes. Use it to season roasted whole chicken, braised turkey breast, braised chicken, pan-seared chicken breast, chicken gravy, and turkey gravy.

Poultry seasoning also pairs well with a variety of savory soups, stews, and stocks. I often use it to make chicken noodle soup, potato soup, pumpkin soup, chicken stock, and turkey stock.

Finally, take your favorite comforting casseroles and pot pies to the next level with fresh poultry seasoning. Try it in chicken pot pie, turkey pot pie, turkey shepherd's pie, and homemade sourdough stuffing.

How Much Poultry Seasoning to Use

Use a 1:1 substitution of poultry seasoning for recipes that specifically call for it. For recipes using the individual spices in this blend, combine their quantities and use an equal amount of this blend. For instance, if a recipe requires ½ teaspoon of sage, ½ teaspoon of thyme, and ¼ teaspoon each of oregano and rosemary, use ¾ teaspoon of this seasoning blend.

How to Store

• Room Temperature- Store poultry seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry, and dark place for up to 6 months.
• Refrigerator & Freezer- Avoid refrigerating or freezing this seasoning blend to prevent moisture, which can cause clumping and reduce quality over time.

🎁 Edible Gift Idea: Share the gift of homemade poultry seasoning for special occasions like holidays and birthdays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let's Connect!

Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions. You can also connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or via email at [email protected].

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