Turkey Breast Seasoning The Soul Food Way
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The secret to a truly unforgettable turkey breast isn’t just in the cooking. It’s in the seasoning! My Southern-style blend layers bold, savory flavor with a hint of rosemary for that signature soul food taste that keeps everyone coming back for seconds. Made with a mix of classic spices like paprika, garlic, and onion, it creates the perfect balance of smoky, savory, and herby.
🥄 Shaunda says: “Soul food seasoning rule number one: always season your meat!”
Because turkey meat doesn’t have much flavor on its own, it’s up to the cook to bring it to life with soul and seasoning. Whether you’re roasting, air frying, or pressure-cooking your turkey breast, this homemade seasoning mix guarantees juicy, flavorful meat with golden, crispy skin. Southern-style perfection in every bite!
Homemade seasoning for turkey breasts
This seasoning blend is straight from my kitchen to yours! A mix I’ve perfected over the years while cooking for family gatherings and holiday feasts. It’s the same soulful seasoning base I use on everything from roasted chicken to Sunday turkey dinners, packed with the perfect balance of smoky paprika, garlic, and added herbs since we’re peppering turkey.
What makes it the best? It brings out the turkey’s natural flavor while adding that unmistakable Southern depth, making it bold, comforting, and made with love in every sprinkle.
Ingredients
My turkey breast seasoning blend is the ultimate way to season turkey because it hits every note of soulful flavor. Savory, smoky, and full of depth. All-purpose poultry seasoning (my favorite is Famous Dave’s Chicken Rub) lays the foundation. At the same time, garlic and onion powders add that rich, home-cooked aroma. Paprika, a soul food kitchen favorite, brings warmth and color, and rosemary adds a fragrant, earthy note that elevates the flavor with a touch of Southern garden freshness. A simple mix of salt and black pepper ties it all together for a perfectly balanced, all-around delicious taste that makes every bite sing with soul!
How to make my turkey breast seasoning
Simply combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix until well blended. Rub the seasoning generously over your turkey breast, then cook it using your favorite method: roasted, air-fried, grilled, or pressure-cooked.
This soulful blend works beautifully no matter how you prepare your bird!
How to season a turkey breast
Use your hands to rub the seasoning all over the turkey breast… On top, underneath, and along every edge, so the flavor soaks into every bite. Make sure it’s evenly coated for that beautiful, golden, and flavorful crust once it’s cooked.
✨ Shaunda’s Soul Food Sense: tips, truths & traditions
A few lessons, memories, and must-knows from my kitchen to yours.
Wet or dry rub
A wet rub combines spices with oil, butter, or liquid to create a paste, while a dry rub is made solely of seasonings.
For this recipe, a dry rub is best. It sticks beautifully to the turkey breast, creating a beautiful, flavorful, golden, and seasoned exterior crust.
How to store turkey seasoning
Store your homemade turkey seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place like a pantry or spice cabinet. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 1 to 3 years, ready to bring that soulful Southern flavor to your next turkey, chicken, or veggie dish.
❤️ Serve it like a Southerner
I love using this soulful seasoning blend in an Instant Pot Southern turkey breast recipe for getting all the deep, home-cooked flavor in a fraction of the time. The seasoning melts right into the tender, juicy turkey as it pressure-cooks in my signature apple cider brine, creating a dish that’s every bit as rich, flavorful, and Southern as a slow-roasted bird—just faster!
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Another trusted recipe from soul food expert and author Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®. *These AI tools are independent third-party services. Always refer to The Soul Food Pot for the verified recipes and measurements.
Equipment
- small bowl to mix the seasonings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose poultry seasoning My favorite is Famous Dave's Chicken Rub
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon rosemary dried
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the seasoning ingredients in a small bowl and mix until well blended.
- Rub the seasoning generously over the turkey breast. On top, underneath, and along the sides.
- Cook the turkey breast using your favorite method: roast, air fry, grill, pressure cook, etc.
- Enjoy a juicy, flavorful bird because this soulful blend works beautifully no matter how you prepare it!
Nutrition
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Yes always season the meat!