We can’t think of a thanksgiving turkey without poultry seasoning. That is one of the thanksgiving traditions and a good one that keeps everyone looking forth to the day. But aren’t you open to exploring other seasonings that would give you a close taste or a different creation? Don’t put yourself in a ‘spice-lockdown’; we dare you to try our 6 poultry seasoning substitutes.
In this post, we will tell you about spices that would step in for poultry seasoning effectively. It may be you have run out of your favorite spice, or you don’t trust the ready-made poultry seasonings. Whatever it is, you are going to like our alternatives.
What is Poultry Seasoning?
The famous poultry seasoning is a blend of spices and herbs. Typically, it is a cocktail of thymes, sage, summer savory, marjoram, and ground parsley. If you make yours at home, you can increase or decrease the variety of spices and herbs. Traditionally, poultry seasoning is used to flavor turkey, chicken, as well as a range of other dishes. If you are a culinary genius, you can add a few twists to your creation and make it your household favorite.
Poultry Seasoning Substitutes Worthy Trying
We loathe monotony and eating food with the same spice time and again is never in our diary. It’s not just us; we are speaking for a lot of people. Chicken and turkey are our all-time favorites, but we appreciate them in different flavors. Therefore, instead of sticking to the well-known poultry spice, we have gone out of our way to search for substitutes. Luckily, we’ve come back with good news, and we would like to share them with you.
In no particular order, here are the 6 poultry seasoning substitute we feel you should try right now.
Homemade Poultry Spice
Are you tired of stale spices from the local store? Why not make your poultry seasoning from the confines of your kitchen. It is something we’ve been doing, and it has never disappointed. After all, making your spice is a piece of cake easy, even for a beginner.
Like a lot of spices, poultry seasoning is not a one-recipe creation. You can choose your direction as long as you do not lean too far from the basic ingredients. You probably have all you need on your spice cabinet. That does not leave you the room to cherry-pick the ingredients; there are hard rules to follow.
The must-have herbs are thyme, rosemary, and marjoram. For herbs, sage will do the magic. To bring out a unique taste, you will also need to add both garlic powder and black pepper. If you are looking for a simple version of the seasoning, a blend of thyme, black pepper, and sage will be adequate to give your palate a memorable taste.
Cajun Seasoning
If you are deep-frying your thanksgiving turkey, then Cajun spice may be a better alternative than poultry seasoning. It doesn’t only match the latter’s heat, but also gives almost the same taste. You should use the same amount of Cajun seasoning as you would the poultry spice. However, you should remember that Cajun spice contains a high level of salt. For starters, it is advisable to use only a small amount of Cajun. Some of its versions are hot, and you may find them unbearable. Afterward, you can increase it once you are comfortable with the flavor and heat. Fortunately, Cajun spice seasoning is readily available in most grocery stores.
Italian Seasoning
The name suggests the spice is from Italy. However, it is an American seasoning blend. The seasoning is a collection of European herbs, and that is where the naming mix-up comes from. But you should know the actualization of the spices became a reality in America. It was created to make it easy for immigrants from Europe to get something close to Mediterranean cuisine.
The underlining herbs in Italian seasoning are rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. You will notice that sage has been given a wide berth. Nevertheless, you can add it to your seasoning to give it a flavor close to the poultry spice.
Read more: What is Spike Seasoning and Why You will Love it
Herbes de Provence
France, in particular the Provence region, is the home of herbes de Provence seasoning. The spice is a local equivalent of poultry seasoning, though with several variations. Just like the poultry spice, herbes de Provence contains thyme, rosemary, and marjoram. Usually, it does not include sage, but you can add it separately to get a rich flavor.
Oddly, herbes de Provence contains lavender in its taste profile. To many people, lavender is the last thing you would expect in your turkey or chicken. Nevertheless, you are not far from getting your dishes tasty if your rack is out of any other spice.
Za’atar
Arabic and European dishes are fond of the za’atar spice. Some will not touch their meal if it does not contain this spice. Some of its mainstay ingredients are thyme and marjoram. Also, za’atar seems to craft its flavor path by including sumac. Nevertheless, you will find it useful in recipes that are traditionally spiced with poultry seasoning.
Fresh Herbs
Dried herbs and spices tend to lose their natural flavor over time. Yes, they may still give you that distinctive taste you want in your meals; but you are still missing something. Fresh herbs have everything intact, and they could be the perfect alternative for poultry seasoning. However, you have to be cautious with your timing. If you decide to use fresh rosemary, thyme, and marjoram sprigs; add them when your meal is almost ready.
Takeaway
There you go with the best 6 poultry seasoning substitutes. Now the choice is in your hands to pick whatever goes with your dishes. Naturally, we would advise you to try each of the alternatives before settling on one. Besides, you can try each option at a time and keep your taste buds looking forward to the next meal. Don’t forget to leave us a comment and keep the tasty spices going around.