When one thinks of Thanksgiving it is about the abundance of pies, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and turkey. But what really makes Thanksgiving, well Thanksgiving, is the smell, the aroma of woody herbs, and complex spices that make it really transform the day into a holiday. Here, Copycat Bell’s Poultry Seasoning is the spice blend to have in your kitchen cabinet. 

The colorful vintage illustrated box of Bell’s season is forever associated with the Thanksgiving season. Yet sometimes buying this tiny box slips through the cracks or, even worse, is nowhere to be found in the supermarket shopping rush. This is where this Copycat Bell’s Poultry Seasoning steps in. Pantry-dried herbs come together in minutes to make a spice mix that’s perfect for dishes that need a bit of complexity.  

When Lowell, Massachusetts grocer William Bell started selling his blend of spices near the ports of Boston, Thanksgiving was barely a thing in 1867. Thanksgiving officially became a legal holiday only four years earlier by President Abraham Lincoln. This holiday wasn’t at the forefront of thought or a part of the conversation when making this seasoning. Bell knew the market and knew that pre-ground unadulterated spices were a much sought-after commodity. Counterfeiters saturated the market with filler blends, and Bell’s unadulterated combination of herbs and spices made for a successful product that led him to move to Boston and only sell his spice blend. 

With his death at 76 and Boston miller David Slade bought the brand and knowing its success changed nothing. Slade, along with his brother Levi, had established a milling company that ground tobacco, corn, and spices. Called the D & L Slade Co. it would become one of the largest spice grinders and distributors in New England, stocking store shelves with spices until the 1970s when it was purchased by Weymouth-based company Brady Enterprises in 1971. With these transfers from company to company, the one steady thing always remained the same — Bell’s poultry spice blend and the colorful turkey illustrated box Bell’s seasoning was packaged in. 

The poultry blend is a mix of sage, oregano, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, ginger, and black pepper. When looking at the ingredient lists, it’s hard to get an idea of the smell, but when mixed together, there is definitely a bit of magic that happens. Together as a group, an entity, this spice blend feels like you’re at a holiday table.

Making the spice blend is simple. Once the spices are measured out, they get blended in a small food processor or a coffee or spice grinder. A brief thirty-second whirl will crush the herbs, creating a uniform consistency. 

The key to this spice blend is storing it in order to prevent the flavors from weakening. A glass jar with a sealable lid is the best option alongside storing it in a dark and dry place like a pantry or kitchen cabinet. 

Added into the stuffing and smeared onto a turkey, Copycat Bell’s Poultry Seasoning is the perfect way to bring the flavors of the holiday front and center. 

The poultry season’s flavor can be enhanced by cooking it in a pan with olive oil and making a paste to rub onto the turkey. The addition of salt and lemon zest will also bring out the brightness of the ginger and marjoram and counter the heaviness of the herbs.