The pressure cooker makes the meat fall right off the bone, ready to be eaten with all your favorite homemade sides or used in another recipe. These simple, juicy, and tender Instant Pot Turkey Legs will blow your mind!
Get ready to indulge in two mouthwatering Instant Pot turkey leg recipes that are perfect for any occasion. These recipes are not only incredibly flavorful but also incredibly easy to prepare, making them ideal for busy weeknights or festive gatherings.
1. Instant Pot Turkey Legs with Poultry Seasoning (DadCooksDinner)
This recipe from DadCooksDinner offers a classic Thanksgiving-inspired flavor profile with a touch of sweetness. The turkey legs are seasoned with a blend of poultry seasoning, salt, paprika, and brown sugar, creating a savory and slightly sweet crust. The addition of water or chicken broth creates a flavorful sauce that perfectly complements the juicy turkey.
Ingredients:
- 6 turkey legs (drumsticks)
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 cup water (or chicken broth)
- A pinch (⅛ teaspoon) poultry seasoning (optional)
- A pinch (⅛ teaspoon) paprika (optional)
Instructions:
- Season the legs: Mix the poultry seasoning, salt, paprika, and brown sugar, breaking up any clumps of brown sugar. Sprinkle evenly over the turkey legs.
- Everything in the pot: Pour 1 cup of water or chicken broth into an Instant Pot or other pressure cooker, then add the drumsticks, stacking them loosely in the pot.
- Pressure cook the drumsticks: Lock the lid on the pressure cooker. Cook at high pressure for 25 minutes in an Instant Pot or other electric PC, or for 20 minutes in a stovetop PC. (Use “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode in an Instant Pot.) Let the pressure come down naturally, about 20 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, you can quick release any remaining pressure after 15 minutes.
- Serve: Lift the legs out of the pot with tongs and spread them out on a platter. Sprinkle the legs with a pinch of paprika and a pinch of poultry seasoning. If you have the time, pour the pot liquid in a fat strainer, let the fat float to the top, and pass the de-fatted liquid at the table as a sauce.
Tips:
- For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine or sherry to the pot liquid.
- If you don’t have poultry seasoning, you can use a combination of dried thyme, sage, marjoram, and black pepper.
- To crisp up the turkey legs, broil them for a few minutes after pressure cooking.
2. Instant Pot Turkey Legs and Gravy (The Bearded Hiker)
This recipe from The Bearded Hiker takes a more rustic approach, using simple ingredients to create a rich and flavorful gravy. The turkey legs are cooked with onions, celery, carrots, and chicken broth, resulting in a tender and juicy meat. The gravy is made by blending the vegetables and broth with an immersion blender, creating a smooth and creamy texture.
Ingredients:
- 2-4 turkey legs
- 1 small onion, roughly chopped
- 2 stalks celery, roughly chopped
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cool water
Instructions:
- Roughly chop your vegetables.
- Add the turkey legs to the pot. Add the broth, the veggies, and sprinkle with poultry seasoning and salt and pepper to taste.
- Set your pressure cooker to pressure on high for 22 minutes. When the cooking time is done, release the pressure manually. Turn off/press cancel on the pressure cooker.
- Set your oven to broil. Carefully remove the turkey legs to a foil-lined baking sheet and place under the broiler until browned and “sexy-looking.” Keep an eye on them!
- While you’re broiling your turkey legs, use the immersion blender to blend the liquid and veggies in the pot. Blend until smooth.
- If not using an immersion blender, very carefully what’s in the pot to a blender and blend until smooth. When smooth, add back to the pressure cooker pot.
- Set your pressure cooker to the saute function. Whisk together the cornstarch and cool water to make a slurry. Stir into the pot and cook until desired thickness.
- Serve the luscious gravy over your beautiful turkey legs and mashed potatoes!
Tips:
- For a thicker gravy, add more cornstarch slurry.
- If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender.
- Serve the turkey legs with your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or stuffing.
With these two Instant Pot turkey leg recipes, you can easily create a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you prefer the classic Thanksgiving flavors of DadCooksDinner’s recipe or the rustic simplicity of The Bearded Hiker’s recipe, you’re sure to find a recipe that you’ll love. So grab your Instant Pot and get ready to enjoy these flavorful and easy-to-make turkey leg dishes!
What to Serve with Instant Pot Turkey Legs
There are so many different ways to enjoy turkey legs! You can eat them with a variety of sides or shred the meat and use it in almost anything! Here are some yummy ideas.
Turkey Legs In The Instant Pot
If you’ve ever tried my IP-cooked turkey wings or chicken drumsticks, you know exactly what I mean when I say that the flavor of both poultry and turkey lies in the dark meat! These parts of the bird are so much more than just fried chicken or Thanksgiving.
Dark meat stays incredibly juicy and tender when pressure-cooked, making it a great source of protein that can be shredded and used in other recipes, such as IP Tortilla Soup or Enchiladas. It also makes a delicious main course. Additionally, it tastes great both hot and cold, so no child or adult has ever complained about having a delicious turkey sandwich for lunch, even if you have a ton of leftovers!
The ability to season turkey legs anyway you please is another fantastic feature of cooking them in the Instant Pot. If you follow this recipe they are sure to be delicious, but there are no rules in cooking. So feel free to add a sprinkle of this or that!.
Instant Pot Turkey Legs
FAQ
How long to cook turkey tails in an Instant Pot?
Is Instant Pot big enough for turkey?
What’s the difference between a turkey leg and a turkey drumstick?
Why do turkey legs take longer to cook?
How to cook turkey leg in Instant Pot?
1. Preheat the Instant Pot to Saute mode. 2. Add the olive oil to the pot and sear the turkey leg on all sides until browned. 3. Add the salt, pepper, chicken broth, and water to the pot. 4. Cover the pot and set the pressure to High for 30 minutes. 5. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure.
How long do you cook a Turkey in an Instant Pot?
This means that you will not touch the instant pot for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, release any remaining pressure by opening the valve. Carefully transfer the turkey to a baking dish and pat the skin dry. Broil on high for about two minutes or until the skin is crisp and golden brown. Let the turkey legs rest for 5 minutes before serving.
How to cook turkey legs (drumsticks) in Instant Pot?
How to cook Turkey legs (drumsticks) in the instant pot. Step1. First you need to get two nice big turkey legs, i used drumsticks. Marinating is not really required because legs are not getting dry really. Step2. Place them in to your Instant Pot. They will fit nicely in the 6 qt or 8 qt pressure cooker. Step3.
How long can you keep turkey legs in Instant Pot?
Instant Pot turkey legs will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer bag. To reheat, put the turkey in the microwave for about 3 minutes on medium power. If frozen, it’s best to let them completely thaw out prior to reheating. The turkey legs must be thawed out.