Simple Roasted Turkey Legs: You can have juicy, tender turkey without roasting the entire bird by baking the legs in the oven with a recipe for perfectly seasoned oven-roasted turkey legs. In addition, anyone who has ever had a juicy turkey leg at Disney World can attest to how delicious they are.
I don’t think roast turkey is only for Christmas and Thanksgiving; it’s a great option for family dinners any time of year, and your loved ones will love the result!
But cooking the whole bird can be challenging, so when I saw huge turkey legs at my local supermarket recently, I was excited.
A whole turkey leg is much less expensive than cooking a large bird, and it can easily feed four to six people. This makes it the perfect option for small Thanksgiving gatherings or any other small holiday dinner. Even better? You will be amazed how incredibly easy it is to prepare!.
These tender turkey legs make a great alternative if you’re serving a smaller group of dark meat lovers. Forget basting, brining, and getting hot and bothered about roasting the perfect turkey! .
PS: If you prefer white meat, try my easy Roast Turkey Crown recipe! For a quick and easy alternative to a whole roast turkey, try my Turkey Roll Recipe!
This comprehensive guide on baking turkey legs will provide you, whether you’re a seasoned chef or a culinary novice, with all the knowledge and tips you need to create drumsticks that are so delicious they fall off the bone, impressing your family and friends. Get ready to enjoy the ultimate comfort food experience!
Choosing the Perfect Turkey Legs
The foundation for a successful baked turkey leg experience lies in selecting the right ingredients Here’s what you need to know:
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Where to Find Turkey Legs: While some standard grocery stores carry turkey legs year-round, they’re more readily available during the fall season. Your local butcher can also be a valuable resource for sourcing these delectable drumsticks
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Size Matters: Turkey legs typically weigh between 3 and 4 pounds but you can find larger ones that reach up to 700-900 pounds. Remember, larger legs will require longer cooking times.
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Removing the Membrane: Some turkey legs come with a white, tough membrane. If you prefer, you can remove it before seasoning and cooking.
Seasoning Your Turkey Legs for Flavorful Perfection
Now that you’ve got your turkey legs, it’s time to add a burst of flavor with the right spices and seasonings. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
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Creole Seasoning: This blend of spices, often containing paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano, adds a vibrant kick to your turkey legs.
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Turkey’s rich flavor is enhanced by the smoky depth of flavor added by the adaptable spice known as smoked paprika.
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Homemade Seasoning Blends: Don’t be afraid to experiment with your own unique combinations of spices. Explore your pantry and unleash your inner culinary artist!
Baking Your Turkey Legs to Fall-Off-the-Bone Perfection
With your turkey legs seasoned to perfection, it’s time to bake them to juicy, tender goodness. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
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Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
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To prepare the baking dish, line a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with green peppers and onions that have been sliced. These veggies will enhance the flavor and help preserve the moisture in your turkey legs while they cook.
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To season your turkey legs, evenly coat both sides with your preferred blend of spices.
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Place the seasoned turkey legs on top of the onions and green peppers in the baking dish.
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Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 2 hours. This low-and-slow approach ensures the turkey cooks evenly and becomes incredibly tender.
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After 2 hours, remove the foil and increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This step helps crisp up the skin for an irresistible texture.
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Continue baking for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
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Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the leg. It should reach a minimum of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for safe consumption.
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Let the turkey legs rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in even more succulent meat.
Tips for Ensuring Perfectly Cooked Turkey Legs
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Cooking Time for Larger Legs: If you’re using larger turkey legs (700-900 pounds), increase the initial cooking time at 300 degrees Fahrenheit to 3-4 hours.
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Adding Gravy: For an extra touch of richness, consider making a simple gravy using the drippings from the baking dish. Our Smothered Turkey Wings recipe provides a detailed guide on how to create a flavorful gravy.
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Keeping Your Turkey Legs Moist: Cooking the drumsticks low and slow is key to preventing them from drying out. The onions and green peppers in the baking dish also contribute to maintaining moisture.
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Storing Leftovers: Cooked turkey legs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days when tightly covered.
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Reheating Leftovers: Reheat your turkey legs in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until they’re warmed through. Alternatively, you can use the microwave for convenience.
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Freezing Leftovers: For longer storage, freeze your leftover turkey legs tightly covered and sealed. They’ll maintain their quality for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Pairing Your Baked Turkey Legs with Delicious Sides
No meal is complete without a selection of delectable side dishes. Here are some ideas to complement your baked turkey legs:
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Southern Soul Food Mac and Cheese: This creamy, cheesy dish is a classic comfort food pairing for turkey legs.
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Baked Crab Legs: Indulge in a seafood feast by adding baked crab legs to your menu.
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Seafood Mac and Cheese: Take your mac and cheese game to the next level with the addition of succulent seafood.
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Southern Cornbread Dressing: This traditional Thanksgiving side dish adds a touch of sweetness and savory goodness.
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Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes: These sweet and flavorful sweet potatoes provide a delightful contrast to the savory turkey legs.
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Southern Mustard Greens: Enjoy the tangy, flavorful goodness of Southern-style mustard greens.
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Southern Okra and Tomatoes: This classic Southern dish adds a unique texture and flavor to your meal.
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Southern Style Green Beans: These tender green beans with a touch of Southern flair make a perfect accompaniment.
Additional Turkey Leg and Turkey Wing Recipes to Explore
Expand your culinary repertoire with these additional turkey leg and turkey wing recipes:
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Air Fryer Turkey Wings: Enjoy crispy, juicy turkey wings cooked to perfection in your air fryer.
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Air Fryer Turkey Legs: Take your turkey leg experience to the next level with the convenience and speed of an air fryer.
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Smothered Turkey Wings: Indulge in the rich flavors of this Southern-style dish featuring tender turkey wings in a flavorful gravy.
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Baked Turkey Wings: Enjoy the classic flavor of baked turkey wings, perfect for a casual meal or special occasion.
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Stuffed Turkey Legs: Elevate your turkey leg experience with a flavorful stuffing of your choice.
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Smoked Turkey Wings: Add a smoky depth of flavor to your turkey wings with the magic of a smoker.
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Smoked Turkey Legs: Impress your guests with the irresistible taste of smoked turkey legs.
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Grilled Turkey Legs: Enjoy the smoky, char-grilled flavor of turkey legs cooked to perfection on the grill.
Additional Turkey Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds
Don’t limit yourself to just turkey legs! Explore a world of culinary possibilities with these additional turkey recipes:
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Air Fryer Turkey Breast: Enjoy a juicy, flavorful turkey breast cooked to perfection in your air fryer.
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Slow Cooker Crockpot Boneless Turkey Breast: Let your slow cooker do the work while you create a tender, delicious turkey breast.
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Crockpot Slow Cooker Bone-in Turkey Breast: Experience the convenience of slow cooking with a bone-in turkey breast for added flavor.
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Traeger Smoked Turkey: Impress your guests with the smoky, flavorful goodness of a Traeger-smoked turkey.
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Leftover Turkey Chili: Transform your leftover turkey into a hearty, flavorful chili that’s perfect for a cold day.
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Leftover Turkey Nachos: Indulge in a fun and flavorful twist on nachos using leftover turkey as the star ingredient.
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Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup: Create a comforting and nutritious soup with leftover turkey and wild rice.
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Turkey Bone Broth Recipe: Make the most of your turkey bones by creating a rich, flavorful broth that’s perfect for soups and stews.
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Instant Pot Turkey Breast: Experience the convenience and speed of an Instant Pot while creating a juicy, flavorful turkey breast.
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Turkey and Cheese Sliders: Enjoy these fun and flavorful sliders perfect for a party or game day snack.
With this comprehensive guide, you’re now equipped with all the knowledge and tips you need to bake mouthwateringly delicious turkey legs that will leave your family and friends begging for more. Remember, the key lies in choosing the right ingredients, seasoning with flavorful spices, and using the low-and-slow cooking method for ultimate tenderness. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different side dishes and additional turkey recipes to create a truly memorable culinary experience.
How To Roast Turkey Legs
Full measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page. Please take a look at the steps and video before attempting this recipe!.
STEP 1: Rub the turkey with olive oil. Combine all the ingredients for the rub and then sprinkle liberally over the turkey on both sides.
STEP 2: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Place foil or baking paper in a roasting pan and arrange the onion, rosemary, and lemon slices over the pan.
Step 3: Place the turkey leg on top, skin side down, and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn the legs over, skin side up, and continue cooking for an additional 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (167°F). This method is a great way to achieve the perfect mix of crispy skin and succulent, juicy meat.
STEP 4: Rest the turkey, loosely covered with aluminum foil, for 20-30 minutes. Slice and serve as your main dish with your favorite sides!.
Here’s what you will need
- Turkey legs – my 1. The turkey leg weighing 6 kg (3½ pounds) was divided into sections for the thighs and legs.
- Olive oil
- The seasoning rub is composed of garlic powder, oregano, dried parsley, sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne, and lemon zest.
- On a trivet made of lemons, onions, and rosemary sprigs, the turkey legs are cooked.
- Digital thermometer
- A good carving set
