How to season a turkey perfectly for Thanksgiving

There is a reason gravy and stuffing are our favorite Thanksgiving side dishes: Turkey meat can be boring and bland, and it often needs a little help from the supporting stars at the table. But do not worry — learning how to season a turkey for baking and what flavors go well with turkey is a foolproof way to add flavor to the preferred holiday protein. Try our top tips for what to season turkey breast with, what herbs and spices go with turkey and our tasty turkey-rub recipes.

Brine your bird — it is simple. Our No. 1 secret to a well-seasoned turkey? The all-important dry brine. The Test Kitchen turns to this method for maximum flavor, juicier meat and the crispiest skin. Here is how it is done: Rub herbs and 2 tablespoons salt all over the turkey, pop it in a plastic bag and refrigerate. You can season your turkey the night before or as far in advance as two days.

Switch up the spices. Salt is a great place to start, but there are so many seasonings that really rev up the flavor of a bland bird. Try Cajun-style turkey rub inspired by the lively flavors of New Orleans (think smoked paprika, celery salt and onion powder) or a red rub with paprika, ground coriander and garlic powder.

Slather seasoning everywhere. Give the bird a big flavor boost by seasoning under the turkey’s skin, too. Stir your favorite spices and fresh herbs into softened butter, then rub it all over the turkey and under the skin. Try a combo of lemon zest and garlic with paprika and ground coriander, or something more traditional such as folding chopped parsley, sage and rosemary into the butter. Not only does this help season the bird, but it also makes the meat extra juicy.

Consider major flavor factors. Glazes are a great way to add a subtle sweetness and shine to the bird. Try a combo of maple syrup, orange juice and fresh sage, brushing most of the glaze on before roasting and saving some to polish up the bird once it is out of the oven. Or to really amp things up, lay slices of bacon over the turkey breast before roasting, securing the ends with toothpicks so they do not curl. Brush the bacon with glaze before roasting and once more after the turkey is done.

Skip the stuffing. Instead of packing your bird with bread cubes that inevitably turn soggy (we prefer a crispy-topped stuffing cooked on the side), stuff the turkey with fresh whole herbs, lemon halves, shallots and smashed cloves of garlic that lend tons of flavor with zero mush.

Go for the garnish. Garnishes can offer complementary or contrasting flavors to enjoy alongside your roast. Try roasted pears for extra juiciness or caramelized winter vegetables for earthy sweetness. Small sweet champagne grapes are also fun to munch on between bites of savory turkey.

TOP 6 TURKEY ROASTERS THAT DOUBLE YOUR OVEN SPACE

Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving for the first or hundredth time this year, a turkey roaster oven can go a long way to make preparing your feast a little easier. Full turkeys take hours to cook, so a roaster oven can do the job while freeing up space in the main oven for potatoes, pies and rolls. We selected eight options that will serve as versatile slow cookers all year for making things like ham, soups and casseroles.

TOP PICK: Nesco Porcelain Roaster Oven. You cannot go wrong with this Nesco roaster oven. The versatile oven will roast, bake, warm and slow-cook, with even heat distribution for tender, moist meats. You can adjust the temperature from 200 to 450 degrees, and the removable rack with handles makes cleanup effortless.

BEST VALUE: Oster Roaster Oven with Self-Basting Lid. This oven is super budget-friendly and can hold up to a 26-pound turkey. It can also bake, slow-cook and roast pretty much anything, and the self-basting lid continually recirculates moisture, so you will get a tender bird every time.

FOR LARGE TURKEYS: Hamilton Beach Roaster Oven. If you are making an extra-large turkey, this roaster is extremely heavy-duty, accommodating up to a 28-pound turkey at a 22-quart capacity. The removable rack features handles so you can easily lift heavy and large items after cooking, and the enamel-on-steel removable pan means easy cleaning.

MOST VERSATILE: NutriChef Upgraded Multi-Function Rotisserie Oven. This countertop oven offers a vertical rotating rotisserie for more even, 360-degree cooking. Beyond cooking turkeys, the oven includes multiple skewer racks for making kebabs, as well as a bake pan and grill racks. The temperature goes up to 464 degrees, and the timer can be set for up to an hour.

BEST SLOW COOKER: Instant Pot Aura Pro Programmable 8-Quart Slow Cooker. This 8-quart model would only be able to accommodate a turkey of around 8 pounds, but as a small versatile slow cooker, it could be hard to beat. In addition to features such as roast, bake, slow-cook and sear/saute, the Aura has controls for sous vide, stew, steam, yogurt and rice. You can also adjust the temperature from 250 to 425 degrees and the timer from 10 minutes to four hours.

BEST FOR FEEDING A CROWD: Proctor Silex Turkey Roaster Oven. This under-$80 find can hold a 24-pound turkey and do everything from slow-roast to steam — though thanks to a dome lid that keeps the food warm and a removable cooking pan that lifts right out when it is time to clean, it is also a low-maintenance vessel to serve the bird in if you are hosting a more casual gathering.