This “Homemade Poultry Seasoning (Better Than Store-Bought!)” recipe is one of those simple blends that instantly upgrades your cooking.

Picture of a homemade poultry seasoning better than store-bought in a glass, Kilner clip top jar for holding herbs and spices on a white marble countertop, sitting in front of a platter of oranges, persimmons pomegranate next to a glass jar holding fresh herbs, like oregano, thyme, rosemary, and sage

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Why make: “Homemade Poultry Seasoning (Better Than Store-Bought!)”?

Homemade poultry seasoning is one of those simple blends that instantly upgrades your cooking. Whether you’re roasting a Thanksgiving turkey, seasoning weeknight chicken thighs, making stuffing, gravy, or soups, this fresh DIY Homemade Poultry Seasoning (Better Than Store-Bought!) has brighter flavor, better aroma, and more depth than anything from a store-bought jar or packet.

What I love most is how easy it is to make. This recipe for “Homemade Poultry Seasoning (Better Than Store-Bought!)” uses a handful of herbs you probably already have in your spice cabinet or growing in your herb garden. Blend them together, store in a jar, and you have a fragrant, versatile seasoning which can be used for seasoning turkey, chicken, pork, vegetables, and even homemade bread (stuffing recipes, risottos, and much more).

If you like making your own spice mixes to avoid excessive pre-packaging, loss of potency while sitting on a shelf, want to use herbs you already own, or are trying to use what is prolific in the garden, then this recipe for “Homemade Poultry Seasoning (Better Than Store-Bought!)” is for you. This blend of herbs and spices takes just a few minutes and tastes incredible.

In this poultry seasoning recipe, the sage and thyme give that classic turkey flavor, the rosemary and oregano add depth, and the nutmeg gives a warm, subtle holiday finish.

Again, make this Homemade Poultry Seasoning recipe for:

Fresher flavor: Store-bought mixes sit for months (or years). Homemade is vibrant.
No fillers: Just herbs and spices.
Customizability: Add more sage for Thanksgiving, more thyme for chicken, or more pepper for a savory rub.
Versatility of use: Turkey, chicken, Cornish hens, gravy, stuffing, meatballs, and even steak marinades.
Add to additional recipes like stuffing/dressing, risotto, soups, and stews.

Also, try my recipes for Perfect Mashed Potatoes Every Time, Easy Buttered Egg Noodles, Perfect Dinner Rolls, Festive Einkorn Sourdough Pumpkin Dinner Rolls, and Perfect Green Beans with Bacon

How to make “Homemade Poultry Seasoning (Better Than Store-Bought!)”

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon sage
1 tablespoon thyme
1 tablespoon oregano (or marjoram)
1 teaspoon rosemary
⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon black pepper

Equipment Needed To Chop Herbs:

one of the follow:

Coffee grinder dedicated to spices (fastest, finest texture)
Mortar and pestle (traditional, very aromatic)
Blender (small NutriBullet type)
Cutting board and Chef’s knife, minced until fine

Step-by-step instructions:

First, gather all the ingredients.

Picture of a woman picking out fresh herbs from a glass jar to make Homemade Poultry Seasoning Better than Store-Bought

If using fresh herbs, remove the herbs from the stems. (Pinch the very top of the herb stem between your thumb and forefinger, then with your other hand, pinch the stem just beneath your top fingers, then slide downward following the direction of the stem.)

Picture of a woman standing at a counter in a fall apron, removing herbs from a stem to make Homemade Poultry Seasoning Better than Store-Bought

Combine all herbs and spices in the preferred grinding method. Then pulse until thoroughly ground. When properly ground, the texture should be coarse and uniform, but not overly powdery.

Picture of Homemade Poultry Seasoning Better than Store-Bought Woman microplating nutmeg into a coffee/spice grinder

Picture of Homemade Poultry Seasoning Better than Store-Bought being made by being posted in a coffee/spice grinder

Add ground herbs to a container of your choice. (I love to use Kilner spice jars.)
Use immediately or store in a small airtight jar for 9–12 months, but use within 6 months for best flavor.
For a simple rub, mix 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning + 1–2 teaspoons salt.
Use this Homemade Poultry Seasoning to make my Savory Poultry Seasoning Compound Butter when making my Perfect Turkey (Dry Brined with Compound Butter)!
Other uses for this homemade Poultry Seasoning: roast chicken, stuffing/dressing, gravy, risotto, vegetable sides, pork chops, bread/savory rolls, soups and stews, marinades etc.