There aren’t many foods that divide people as much as turkey legs; you either love them or hate them. On one extreme of the spectrum, its devoted fans can’t get enough of the portable, heavily salted food that comes in large portions. However, those who despise it are skilled at disparaging it, pointing out its enormous, frequently hideous appearance as well as the incredible quantities of fat, calories, and who knows what else you’re consuming in one sitting. Haters gonna hate, right?.
The image of one has probably been ingrained in your memory for eternity, regardless of whether you have attempted one or were just a bystander. You just cant unsee the thing. The turkey leg has its place in many amusement parks, county fairs, and festivals across the country. Every year on National Turkey Lovers Day, its ardent supporters gather to celebrate the product (well, all turkey products really). On paper, it’s a snack made primarily of protein from the aforementioned animal, or a meal because, let’s be honest, it’s huge. So why does the bird receive so much heat? Come along on this fattening, enjoyable, and fair adventure with us! This is the untold truth of the turkey leg.
Where do giant turkey legs come from? This seemingly simple question has a surprisingly complex answer, spanning centuries and continents. While their presence at Renaissance festivals and amusement parks might make them seem like a modern invention, the turkey leg’s origins actually lie in the Medieval era, albeit not in the way you might imagine.
These festivals, popular since the early 1960s, recreate aspects of life in the Middle Ages, including the food. While turkey wasn’t a common European fare back then, the large, primal nature of the turkey leg made it a perfect fit for these celebrations, even if historically inaccurate.
Interestingly the largest turkey legs in the United States can be found at an Ohio Renaissance Festival. This festival boasts legs weighing nearly 2 pounds sourced from specially selected, large birds. This has even sparked controversy with animal rights groups like PETA.
But what exactly are these turkey legs? They come from the male turkey, whose legs are significantly larger than those of the female. The holiday turkey you enjoy is likely female, while males are used for commercial purposes like deli meats. The leg itself comprises the thigh and drumstick, making it a dark meat option.
While the turkey leg has been a staple at Renaissance fairs for decades, it was Disney Parks that brought it to global attention. Debuting in Walt Disney World in the 1980s, the turkey leg quickly became a popular snack, spreading to other Disney parks and eventually theme parks across the country.
Today, millions of turkey legs are sold annually at Disney parks alone. Their secret? A unique curing process that injects the legs with a salt and sugar solution, giving them a ham-like flavor and pink color.
Despite online rumors, these turkey legs are not made from emu. This myth was debunked by a Disney executive chef and further contradicted by celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern, who described emu as having a distinct, gamey flavor unlike turkey.
While the turkey leg might seem like a keto-friendly option, it’s actually a no-go due to the brown sugar used in the brine. This ingredient violates the keto diet’s strict low-carb guidelines.
For turkey leg enthusiasts, there’s a plethora of merchandise available, from t-shirts and hats to air fresheners. Disney even sells playful merchandise featuring a cartoon turkey leg with the slogan “Nice & Juicy.”
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even make your own turkey leg at home. Numerous recipes are available online, allowing you to recreate the classic smoked flavor and juicy texture.
The turkey leg’s popularity has even inspired entire restaurants dedicated to this novelty. Turkey Leg Paradise in Dallas and Turkey Leg Hut in Houston offer giant smoked turkey legs alongside other unique dishes, drawing long lines and attracting celebrity attention.
From its humble beginnings at Renaissance fairs to its global fame, the turkey leg has become a cultural icon, sparking debate, inspiring merchandise, and even fueling entire restaurant concepts. Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying the untold truth of the turkey leg: it’s a culinary phenomenon with a surprisingly rich history.
Big Birds Produce Big Legs
Disney’s giant turkey legs come from male turkeys, known as toms. Toms are much larger than female turkeys (hens). A tom turkey can weigh around 50 pounds, compared to a typical hen which weighs 16 pounds.
The larger size of the tom turkey means their legs are correspondingly bigger. While the turkey you carve at Thanksgiving may have smallish legs, Disney is sourcing their turkey legs from much larger birds.
This explains why the Disney turkey legs are so massive compared to what you may be used to seeing on a holiday table. It’s simply a matter of using bigger turkeys.
Why Use Toms Rather Than Hens?
You might be wondering why Disney uses tom turkeys when the hens are more typical for eating. Here are a few reasons:
- Toms have bigger legs which make an impressive, larger-than-life snack when walking around the parks
- Toms are less in demand for meat processing since you only need a few for breeding. The excess toms are a good source for Disney.
- Young toms (under 1 year old) are still tender and tasty without being tough. Disney sources juvenile male turkeys that yield tender, delicious meat.
Why Not Use Emu Legs?
There’s an urban legend that Disney’s turkey legs actually come from emus. This myth probably started because emu legs would be even bigger than turkey legs.
However, upon close inspection, the legs sold at Disney parks share all the characteristics of real turkey:
- The size matches turkey, not the much larger emu
- The taste is like turkey, especially smoked turkey
- The bone and skin structures match domestic turkeys
Disney has confirmed their legs come from turkeys. And after eating my fair share of Disney turkey legs, I can definitively say they are real turkey through and through!
How Are the Turkey Legs Prepared?
Disney’s turkey legs don’t taste exactly like the turkey meat you may be used to. They have a smoky, cured ham flavor. Here are some of the preparation methods Disney uses:
- The legs are smoked with hickory wood. This imparts a delicious, mouthwatering smoked ham taste.
- The turkey is brined before smoking. Brining makes the meat seasoned throughout and super juicy.
- Slow cooking over several hours results in tender, fall-off-the-bone meat.
The combination of brining, smoking, and slow-cooking yields juicy, flavorful turkey legs with that trademark Disney taste.
Why Are the Legs So Popular?
It’s easy to see why giant turkey legs have reached celebrity status with Disney fans:
- They make a hearty, protein-packed meal while walking around the parks
- Kids and adults alike love food they can eat with their hands
- Tearing into a huge, Fred Flinstone-style turkey leg is fun!
- The smoked turkey flavor is unique and addictive
Turkey legs check a lot of boxes in terms of being a satisfying and enjoyable treat. No wonder they fly off the shelves!
The Bottom Line
While Disney’s massive turkey legs seem almost too good to be true, there’s no smoke and mirrors involved. They simply come from much bigger birds than you roast at home. With some extra prep like brining and smoking, Disney transforms fresh tom turkey legs into a signature snack.
So next time you’re at a Disney park, don’t be afraid to grab a legendary giant turkey leg and take a bite out of Disney history! Just beware of greasy fingers.
Top 10 UNTOLD TRUTHS of Disney’s Giant Turkey Legs
FAQ
Where did turkey legs originate?
Why are turkey legs so big at the fair?
How big can turkey legs get?
Are turkey drumsticks the same as turkey legs?
What is a giant turkey leg?
The giant turkey leg — a shticky concession Renaissance fairs have served for years — popped up in Disney World for the first time in the late ’80s. It was originally only sold at one food cart, near Big Al’s in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland. A turkey leg tips the scales at 1.5 pounds!
Where did the turkey leg come from?
Although turkey legs have lived quietly amongst the Renaissance Fair community (and its avid carnivores) since the 1960s, it was the house of the mouse that is credited with making it a household name. According to a New York Times piece, the turkey leg made its grand debut at Walt Disney World in Central Florida in the 1980s.
Who invented the turkey leg?
Believe it or not, the turkey leg made its debut in Magic Kingdom in 1989 thanks to a man by the name of Dave Jarrett. Originally an employee at Cap’n Jack’s in the Walt Disney World Village (widely known as Disney Springs today), Jarrett eventually worked his way through the ranks of Walt Disney World.
When did the giant turkey leg come out?
The giant turkey leg premiered in the late 1980’s with strong sales at Big Al’s Coonskin Caps in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom. It wasn’t long before their popularity meant the turkey legs were made available at all six Disney parks in the US.