These simple roasted turkey legs are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, perfect for a small-scale holiday dinner idea or an impressive entrée to serve any time of year." Show
Where to Buy Turkey LegsWhole turkey legs are made up of the thigh and drumstick, but many people use "turkey leg" to refer to just the drumstick. Drumsticks should be readily available in the meat section of your local grocery store. Though whole legs are harder to come by, you may be able to find them at a butcher. How to Cook Turkey LegsIt's easier than you think to roast turkey legs at home. You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect: Prepare the Turkey LegsRinse and dry the turkey legs. Use a sharp knife to create two or three pockets deep into the tissue, then press a piece of celery into each pocket. Rub butter and sprinkle salt under and over the skin. Roast the Turkey LegsPlace the legs in a roasting pan and roast in a preheated oven, basting occasionally with the juices, until the skin is golden brown. How Long to Cook Turkey Legs In the OvenThe turkey legs should be perfectly golden brown and juicy in about 90 minutes to an hour. When the turkey leg is done, an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat should register 180 degrees F. What to Serve With Turkey LegsIf you don't want to cook a whole turkey for Thanksgiving, consider serving these roasted turkey legs instead: They come together much more quickly and they're perfect for small groups. Pair the turkey legs with traditional holiday sides such as mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, or macaroni and cheese. Need some delicious inspiration? Explore our collection of Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes. How to Store Turkey LegsStore your leftovers turkey legs in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four days. Enjoy them cold or reheat gently in the microwave. Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise"This turkey was amazing," raves Ang. "Something about the celery makes this sooo good and juicy, and my kids don't even like celery. Next time I will add garlic and thyme for more flavor, but that is just an option for a different flavor." "The meat is so juicy and tender," according to Misty Paiement. "I also roasted vegetables alongside it to complete the flavor. For a side dish, I cooked some wild grain brown rice." "Delicious," says Lisa P. "I used sweet onions (like Vidalias) since I don't care for celery. The flavor permeated the meat well and gave it added tenderness. I'll be doing this one again." Editorial contributions by Corey Williams This Oven Baked Turkey Legs recipe is cooked low and slow, wrapped in foil and seasoned with mouthwatering spices. This is the best way to cook fall-off-the-bone drumsticks. This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here. Where to Buy Turkey LegsSome standard grocers will keep brands like Butterball and Jenni-O on hand year-round. Many retailers only carry them seasonally around fall. A local butcher is usually really helpful. More Ideas on How to Season ThemI like to season these with Creole Seasoning and smoked paprika. Feel free to use any of your favorite spices or blends.
How to Make Baked Turkey LegsDetailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
The Best Way to Cook Fall Off the Bone Turkey/ Cook Time and How Long to CookYou have to cook turkey low and slow to get it tender and fall off the bone. I bake these for at least 2 hours at 300 degrees, covered in foil and then for another 30 minutes uncovered to get crispy skin. Cooking them for 2 hours will give you fall of the bone turkey. Alternatively, you can reduce the cook time by around 30 minutes by baking them covered at 350 degrees. I find the turkey isn’t as juicy using this temperature. How to Add GravyCheck out my Smothered Turkey Wings Recipe. Follow the instructions for how to make the gravy and add it to your turkey legs. How to Tell When the Turkey is DoneYou will need to use a meat thermometer. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of one the turkey legs. According to the USDA, Poultry must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees. How Do You Keep Them From Drying OutCooking the drumsticks low and slow does the trick. The turkey will produce drippings while it cooks with the onions and green peppers which will help keep it moist. How to Store ThemCooked turkey legs can be stored in the fridge tightly covered for 3-4 days. How to ReheatMy favorite ways are to use the air fryer (350 degrees until warm) or the oven (350 degrees until warm). You can microwave them if you wish. Freezer TipsYou can freeze leftover drumsticks tightly covered and sealed. For best taste, they will last up to 3 months. Defrost the legs overnight in the fridge and reheat. Pair With These RecipesSouthern Soul Food Mac and Cheese More Turkey Leg and Turkey Wing RecipesAir Fryer Turkey
Wings More Turkey RecipesAir Fryer Turkey Breast Pair these with our Turkey Graving From Drippings recipe. This Oven Baked Turkey Legs recipe is cooked low and slow, wrapped in foil and seasoned with mouthwatering spices. This is the best way to cook fall-off-the-bone drumsticks. Save this recipe here. Course dinner, lunch Cuisine American Keyword baked turkey legs, baked turkey legs wrapped in foil, oven baked turkey legs Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes Servings 4 servings Calories 451kcal
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Serving: 1serving | Calories: 451kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 20g If you get tired of your Meal Prep Meals by Day 2 our Big Boss Meal Prep Guide is for you! Mention @Stay_Snatched or tag #StaySnatched! The recipe instructions noted here are the property of Stay Snatched and subject to copyright. Please do not screenshot and share this recipe on social. Check out our YouTube Channel! Click here to join our Facebook Group! Click here to join our Facebook Group! Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful. How do you cook turkey legs that are already smoked?To reheat pre-smoked turkey legs, brush them with oil, then set them on a grill over medium heat until they've reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This process should take 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how big the legs are.
How long does smoked turkey drumsticks take to cook?Remove the turkey legs from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Re-warm the mop mixture over low heat. Transfer the turkey legs to the smoker. Cook until the legs are very tender and the juices run clear, about 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
Are pre smoked turkey legs fully cooked?Store-bought pre smoked turkey legs are fully cooked, so you only need to reheat the portions. So what you're trying to do is warm them without drying them out in the reheating process. The problem is that if you don't cook them properly, they can end up dry or rubbery.
How do you tell if smoked turkey leg is done?Cook until the deepest sections of the turkey legs reach an internal temperature of 165°F, or about 2 1/2 hours. Hot TipUse an instant read thermometer to determine the internal temperature of the turkey. 7. Remove the turkey legs from your smoker and let rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
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