10.25.2024
Thanksgiving Spices Checklist
Key spices for turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce and pies. Brining tips, pairings, and smart substitutions for a flavorful holiday.
- Brine turkey first, then finish with a bold rub like a house turkey blend or garlic pepper for best flavor.
- Use specific spices to boost each dish: porcini or bay for gravy, sage and thyme for stuffing, white pepper or cassia for potatoes and yams.
- Add bright or spicy accents to sides and sauces: sumac or cayenne for cranberry sauce and fresh extracts or spiced sugars for pies.
Traditional Thanksgiving dinner preparation can leave us a little overwhelmed in the kitchen, but do not worry! We are here to help make your feast as flavorful as it has ever been. As you write prep lists for shopping and cooking, be sure to consider the spices most commonly used for Thanksgiving, that make each of your recipes shine. We put together this quick list of essential Thanksgiving flavors to help ease your holiday planning. For more holiday inspiration, visit our Thanksgiving Headquarters.
If you have any questions about spices, or want to tell us about your favorite Thanksgiving herbs and spices, leave us a comment below!
Thanksgiving Turkey
Consider brining your bird before rubbing it with any of our signature spices for Thanksgiving turkey below. For more spice options, explore our full list of Poultry Rubs or our entire collection of Rubs & Blends and see our favorite turkey brining recipe.
- Poultry Brining Blend - Brine your bird to maximize flavor!
- House Blend Turkey - Our go-to Thanksgiving turkey rub.
- Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper Butcher’s Rub - Keep it classic with garlic & pepper.
Turkey Gravy
You cannot have turkey (or mashed potatoes) without a delicious Thanksgiving gravy. Build depth with premium spices, peppercorns, and herbs. Don't be afraid to try new flavors! For example, Mushroom Powder can add a bold umami punch. If your prefer to keep it classic, simmer your gravy with bay leaves for that delicious hint of aromatics.
Thanksgiving Stuffing
Any good stuffing recipe needs its fair share of herbal accents. Be sure to try our Poultry Stuffing Seasoning for that classic blend of holiday flavors. In addition to our house blend, there are a few other traditional herbs we recommend for a delicious stuffing.
Thanksgiving Potatoes
Whether you’re making roasted potato wedges, creamy mashed potatoes, or candied yams, those spuds need spices. Here are a few of our favorites for Thanksgiving potatoes. Check our collection of Vegetable Favorites for more flavorful ideas.
- White Peppercorns - Perfectly blend into mashed potatoes
- Brisket of Love - This beloved BBQ blend pairs perfectly with roasted sweet potatoes
- Mediterranean Garlic & Herb Salt-Free Blend - We love Greek roasted potatoes to add a herby, citrusy element to our Thanksgiving table.
- Korintje Ground Cassia Cinnamon - This robust Cinnamon variety stands up nicely to candied yams or baked sweet potatoes.
Cranberry Sauce
It’s hard to beat the sweet-tart-savory combo of roasted turkey meat and cranberry sauce, especially when you make the sauce from scratch. These are the fresh spices we highly recommend for making your homemade cranberry sauce incredibly flavorful.
Thanksgiving Pies
From pumpkin, to apple, to sweet potato, spices make Thanksgiving pies special. Bake from scratch with our premium cinnamons and extracts, or use our spiced sugars to jazz up a store-bought pie or frosting. Be sure to browse our entire collection of Baking Spices for more sweet flavors of the holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I brine the turkey before applying a spice rub?
Yes. Brining helps meat stay juicy and lets salt and seasonings penetrate. Brine 8 to 24 hours, rinse and pat dry, then apply your dry rub so the rub browns and flavors the skin.
What are the best spices for a classic Thanksgiving turkey?
Start with a poultry brining blend or a house turkey rub. For simple, dependable flavors use garlic and pepper, rubbed sage, thyme and a coarse peppercorn like Tellicherry for bite.
How do I make a richer turkey gravy with spices?
Simmer pan drippings with bay leaves and cracked Tellicherry peppercorns. Add porcini mushroom powder for umami. Taste as you go and finish with a splash of stock or drippings to balance.
Which herbs should I use in Thanksgiving stuffing?
Stick to classic herbs: rubbed sage, broken-leaf thyme, cracked rosemary needles and parsley flakes. A ready poultry stuffing seasoning also gives a reliable holiday blend.
What spices work best for mashed, roasted, or candied potatoes?
Use white pepper for a smooth heat in mashed potatoes. For roasted sweet potatoes try a savory BBQ blend. For candied yams use a robust cassia cinnamon like Korintje or Saigon for strong warm flavor.
How can I spice up homemade cranberry sauce?
Simmer fresh cranberries with ground ginger and a cinnamon quill for warmth. Add a pinch of cayenne for heat and a pinch of sumac for bright, citrusy tartness. Sweeten to taste.
Which spices and extracts improve Thanksgiving pies?
Use pumpkin spice or apple pie spice blends for familiar warmth. Add real extracts like Madagascar vanilla for depth. For an extra touch, sprinkle spiced sugar on top before baking or on frosting.
How should I store spices and how long do they stay fresh?
Keep spices in airtight containers away from heat and light. Ground spices stay best for about 6 months. Whole spices can last 2 to 3 years. For the holidays buy fresh or check aroma before using.
Should I brine the turkey before applying a spice rub?
Yes. Brining helps meat stay juicy and lets salt and seasonings penetrate. Brine 8 to 24 hours, rinse and pat dry, then apply your dry rub so the rub browns and flavors the skin.
What are the best spices for a classic Thanksgiving turkey?
Start with a poultry brining blend or a house turkey rub. For simple, dependable flavors use garlic and pepper, rubbed sage, thyme and a coarse peppercorn like Tellicherry for bite.
How do I make a richer turkey gravy with spices?
Simmer pan drippings with bay leaves and cracked Tellicherry peppercorns. Add porcini mushroom powder for umami. Taste as you go and finish with a splash of stock or drippings to balance.
Which herbs should I use in Thanksgiving stuffing?
Stick to classic herbs: rubbed sage, broken-leaf thyme, cracked rosemary needles and parsley flakes. A ready poultry stuffing seasoning also gives a reliable holiday blend.
What spices work best for mashed, roasted, or candied potatoes?
Use white pepper for a smooth heat in mashed potatoes. For roasted sweet potatoes try a savory BBQ blend. For candied yams use a robust cassia cinnamon like Korintje or Saigon for strong warm flavor.
How can I spice up homemade cranberry sauce?
Simmer fresh cranberries with ground ginger and a cinnamon quill for warmth. Add a pinch of cayenne for heat and a pinch of sumac for bright, citrusy tartness. Sweeten to taste.
Which spices and extracts improve Thanksgiving pies?
Use pumpkin spice or apple pie spice blends for familiar warmth. Add real extracts like Madagascar vanilla for depth. For an extra touch, sprinkle spiced sugar on top before baking or on frosting.
How should I store spices and how long do they stay fresh?
Keep spices in airtight containers away from heat and light. Ground spices stay best for about 6 months. Whole spices can last 2 to 3 years. For the holidays buy fresh or check aroma before using.
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