13 Great Poultry Seasoning Substitutes

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If you are looking for substitutes for poultry seasoning in your cooking, this ultimate list of alternatives can help you out. 

Here are some of the best substitutes for poultry seasoning:

1. Herbs de Provence 

Herbs de Provence is a French blend with marjoram, thyme, and rosemary, all three spices that are found in poultry mix, that works as a great substitute for poultry seasoning in most recipes.

Although the flavor profiles can be a bit different, it gives great flavor.

How to Substitute? 

You can use more or less the same measure of herbs de Provence to substitute poultry seasoning in most recipes that you like. 

Here is a video tutorial to help you make a Herb de Provence mix that you can make from scratch

2. Italian Seasoning

Another almost identical substitute for poultry seasoning is Italian seasoning.

It has rosemary, thyme, oregano, and marjoram which are found in poultry seasoning.

Your recipe should taste more or less the same as Italian seasoning.

How to Substitute? 

You can replace poultry seasoning with the same measure of Italian seasoning and the recipe should taste just as great. 

Here is a video guide to help you make Italian seasoning that you can make and keep in stock – 

3. Oregano

Oregano is an herb that complements chicken and turkey meat quite well.

Though it is not an ingredient in poultry seasoning, it is an easily accessible herb and when blended with others like marjoram and rosemary, gives great flavor to the recipe. 

How to Substitute? 

You might want to play around with the measure of oregano with other herbs to find the right balance of flavor you prefer. 

For a garlic and oregano chicken recipe that you can try at home, check out this video – 

4. Rosemary 

Rosemary with a combination of other herbs like marjoram and sage can be a great replacement for poultry seasoning.

Though the flavors may vary slightly these herbs are easy to find and can be a great quick fix for most recipes that you can think of. 

How to Substitute? 

You can experiment with the ratio of rosemary and other herbs to find the balance of flavors that you like. 

Here is a lovely rosemary chicken recipe that you can easily make at home – 

5. Thyme 

Thyme is another herb that works well with chicken or turkey.

Mixed with other herbs like sage, you get great flavor, and the recipe should turn out just as great as you would have gotten with poultry seasoning.

How to Substitute? 

You can play around with the measure of thyme and other herbs you want to mix in to get the perfect balance of flavor that you like. 

For a lovely chicken recipe with thyme, check out this YouTube video tutorial –

6. Zaatar

Zaatar is most commonly found in Middle Eastern cuisine and it is a great spice to vamp up your chicken dishes.

When mixed with a bit of oregano, thyme, and marjoram, it gives the same results as using poultry seasoning in your cooking.

How to Substitute? 

You can make a blend of zaatar with other herbs and find the flavor balance you prefer through some experimenting. 

You can check out this YouTube tutorial for a simple and fancy zaatar chicken recipe – 

7. Marjoram

Marjoram is an herb found in poultry seasoning and the fresh herb, along with some others like oregano and thyme, works just as well as the seasoning in your chicken dishes.

It is a mild herb, and you could even combine it with garlic for an alternate flavor palette.

How to Substitute? 

You might want to experiment with the ratio of marjoram and another herb mix to find the flavor balance that you like. 

8. Sage 

Sage is an important ingredient in poultry seasoning, and you could add just the dried sage to your chicken or poultry dish, or you could mix it with other herbs for depth in flavor.

It is best paired with black peppercorns.

How to Substitute? 

You can use half the measure of sage to replace poultry seasoning in any recipe that you like and it should taste great. 

For a simple and quick sage chicken recipe, check out this video tutorial – 

9. Garlic

When it comes to flavor, no ingredient is easier to find and more versatile than garlic.

It pairs perfectly well with quite a range of herbs and is great when used to season chicken or turkey dishes.

A simple pairing of salt and pepper with garlic can also be just as good.

How to Substitute? 

Depending on the flavors you like, you might want to play around with the ratio of garlic to season your dish. 

Check out this lovely video tutorial for a creamy garlic chicken recipe – 

10. Salt and Pepper

If you are looking for a quick-fix solution and don’t have any herbs to work with, you can simply use salt and pepper to season your chicken and turkey recipe.

It is simple yet versatile, and when paired with other herbs can be twice as flavorful. 

How to Substitute? 

You can experiment with the ratio of salt and pepper that suits your palette and add other herbs to the mix if you prefer. 

11. Turkey Rub 

Turkey rub is a compound mix of spices and herbs that you can use instead of poultry seasoning in most recipes.

Keep in mind that the turkey rub has more warm and spicy flavors than poultry seasoning so, the flavors will be quite different.

How to Substitute? 

You can use half or three fourth the measure of turkey rub than poultry seasoning and add more as you see fit to get the right flavor balance. 

Here is how you can make your own turkey rub from scratch and store it in stock for later – 

12. Chicken Bouillon

In some recipes, you can use chicken bouillon to enhance the flavors of the chicken.

This alternative might not work well in all cases, but you can add it to your seasoning and herb mixes to add more salty and umami-rich flavors to your dish.

How to Substitute? 

You might want to experiment with the ratio of chicken bouillon to add to your recipe, to find the recipe balance you like. 

If you’d like to make some chicken bouillon at home and stock them for later, check out this video – 

13. Citrus Blend

If you like lemony citrus flavors, then you can try a blend of lemon zest or juice with some herbs like sage and thyme, along with salt and pepper to create a great chicken seasoning that can replace poultry seasoning. 

How to Substitute? 

You can experiment with the ratio of citrus blend that you want to add to your recipe to find the flavor balance you prefer. 

Bottom Line 

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About Irene Clark

Irene is a supermom of 4 kids who always has a smile on her face. She's an amazing dancer - you should see her moves! - and she loves to eat, especially with wine. She also loves pop music and travels across the country with her family and friends.