Your Thanksgiving 2020 will likely be different than it’s been in years past due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing guidelines. If 2020 has taught us nothing else, it has certainly shown us that we need to be adaptable in many ways. Rather than bemoan the situation, you can use this holiday to broaden your turkey-cooking options.
One good way to do that is to try your hand at smoked spices for your turkey dinner. Both smoked sea salt and smoked ground pasilla pepper are two good smoked spices to use for your turkey this Thanksgiving.
Why Smoked Sea Salt Is a Holiday Hit
A dry rub of smoked sea salt is a good choice for your first foray into turkey prepared with smoked spices. Its light smoky flavor is but one tasty layer to the moist and succulent turkey meat beneath the crunchy and delectable skin. Use accurate measures of sea salt in comparison to the size of your turkey to assure it doesn’t get too salty.
Feeling Daring? Switch It Up a Bit with Smoked Ground Pasilla Pepper
This flavor surge is sure to awaken any latent taste buds on your guests’ palate. For best results, choose a product that is made without sulfites, chemical smoke, and other artificial ingredients.
Just the natural spices are best for your rub, marinade, or gravy. Smoked ground pasilla pepper also blends extremely well if you make turkey soup or stew with your leftovers because it seasons piquantly without overwhelming the meat with heat.
Which Other Smoked Spices Are a Hit with Turkey?
Your mileage may vary, of course, but many gourmets (and gourmands!) love the smoky heat a smoked chili powder rub can bring to a juicy turkey. Especially if you want to explore a southwestern theme with your sides and main course, this might be a good option to try this year.
Carefully blended garlic powder, chili peppers, paprika, and other spices are gently smoked to add just a hint of smoky deliciousness to the meat. Tenderized and juicy, the meat will fall off the bone.
Once you try smoked spices as a dry rub for your meat, you may want to expand your culinary efforts even further afield. Oregano Spices offers lots of savory spices that will taste great in all sorts of meat dishes and sides. Check out our recipe section too for some inspired meals this holiday season!