The Ultimate Guide to Crock Pot Turkey Legs: Two Delicious Recipes to Master

I’m going to share my Gammy’s turkey leg recipe with you, and trust me when I say that this is the easiest meal ever!

After tossing some turkey legs into the slow cooker and covering them with a simple homemade sauce, you’ll have a delicious dinner in a few hours!

Are you craving juicy, flavorful turkey legs without the hassle of a full Thanksgiving feast? Look no further than your trusty slow cooker! This guide combines the best of two popular recipes to bring you the ultimate slow cooker turkey leg experience.

Recipe 1: Classic Crock Pot Turkey Legs with Homemade Sauce

This recipe from Allrecipes offers a simple yet satisfying approach to slow cooker turkey legs The key is the homemade sauce, which adds a burst of flavor and keeps the meat moist and tender

Ingredients:

  • 6 turkey legs
  • 3 teaspoons poultry seasoning
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 6 sheets aluminum foil
  • Sauce:
    • 1 cup ketchup
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1/4 cup brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
    • 3 tablespoons vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Instructions:

  1. Rinse and pat dry the turkey legs. Season with poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  2. Wrap each leg tightly in aluminum foil.
  3. Place the wrapped legs in the slow cooker with no additional liquid or ingredients.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until the meat is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read at least 165 degrees F.
  5. While the turkey legs cook, prepare the sauce. Combine all sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well.
  6. Remove the turkey legs from the slow cooker and let them rest for 10-15 minutes. Carefully remove and discard the foil.
  7. Pour the sauce over the turkey legs and serve immediately.

Recipe 2: Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Legs with BBQ Sauce

This recipe from Dizzy Busy and Hungry takes a shortcut with a delicious BBQ sauce, making it even easier to enjoy tender, flavorful turkey legs.

Ingredients:

  • 6 turkey drumsticks
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
  • 3 tablespoons vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Instructions:

  1. Season the turkey legs with salt and pepper.
  2. Place the turkey legs in the slow cooker.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and paprika. Mix well and pour over the turkey legs.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
  5. Check the internal temperature of the turkey legs with a meat thermometer. They are done when the thermometer reads 165 degrees F.
  6. For crispy skin, broil the turkey legs for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Tips and Variations:

  • For a Thanksgiving twist, skip the BBQ sauce and season the turkey legs with poultry seasoning and salt. Add about 1 cup of chicken broth to the slow cooker and cook as directed.
  • Serve your slow cooker turkey legs with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or stuffing.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

With these two delicious recipes, you’ll be a master of slow cooker turkey legs in no time. Whether you prefer a classic homemade sauce or a quick and easy BBQ option, you’re sure to enjoy this flavorful and convenient way to cook turkey legs. So grab your slow cooker and get ready to indulge in a taste of comfort food perfection!

How do you know when turkey legs are done?

A meat thermometer placed into the thickest area of the slow-cooked turkey leg will read 165 degrees when the bird is done.

Put a knife into the thickest portion of the cooked meat if you don’t have a meat thermometer; the juices should run clear.

Can you eat undercooked turkey?

Definitely not! Invest in a good quality instant read meat thermometer. They arent that expensive and youll know your meal is ready to serve to your family.

Store bought smoked Turkey legs in crockpot

FAQ

What takes longer to cook turkey legs or breast?

Roast turkey until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a breast piece registers 150°F (66°C), 2 to 3 hours total. Remove breast and set aside. Continue roasting legs until an instant-read thermometer registers 170°F (77°C) when inserted into leg, about 30 minutes longer.

Can you overcook turkey legs?

A roasted turkey leg can overcook. And, fair enough, so can a braised turkey leg. But it’s much much harder to overcook a braise. Braises come with gravy.

Are turkey drumsticks tough?

The most important thing to keep in mind with Turkey Drumsticks is that, especially for our pastured birds, they’re going to be tough if they aren’t cooked long enough. Just like a brisket, Turkey Drumsticks do best when cooked low and slow, to allow the muscle fibers to relax and become tender.

Why do you brine turkey legs?

By brining the legs for at least four hours or (even better) overnight, you’ll get a lot of flavor inside the meat, and prevent the turkey legs from drying out. It also gives the salt time to start dissolving some of the muscle proteins in the turkey legs, meaning a more tender turkey for you!

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