The edibility of bird legs improves dramatically when you remove the tendons. This makes the legs more tender and user-friendly leg. Below are a few photos showing the process on a mallard. On birds bigger than mallards, this becomes a two person job as the tendons are quite strong. Removing the tendons from a turkey leg requires a pair of pliers and near Herculean strength.
Using a sharp knife, cut through the rubbery skin on the duck’s leg right over the leg joint. Be very carful not to nick the meat or tendons beneath the skin.
Pop the joint, like snapping a stick. Wiggle the leg a bit to work the tendons clear of the popped joint.
Take a firm hold of the bird’s thigh with one hand and of the foot with the other. Now pull slowly and firmly. The tendons should separate from the hip joint and pull out with the foot.
A Great Way to Prepare Ducks: This is my favorite way to handle ducks, especially puddle ducks and birds that dive, like scaup, which taste better. It also works well with upland game birds, and I’ve even done street pigeons this way.
Slice down each side of the ridge-like breastbone, from the top of the breast to the bottom.
Continue filleting the breast downward. The hip bone’s ball joint should be popped, and then the skin on the back should be cut through to free half of the bird from the breast plate.
There’s nothing worse than biting into a delicious roasted turkey leg, only to get a mouthful of rubbery tendons. While they aren’t harmful, those stringy bits can be off-putting and ruin the texture of an otherwise succulent drumstick. Luckily, removing tendons from turkey legs is an easy process that anyone can master with a bit of knowledge.
Why Remove Tendons?
Tendons are the inedible, sinewy connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones in animal proteins like poultry, pork, and beef. While tendons keep these cuts intact, they aren’t enjoyable to eat.
When preparing turkey legs removing the tendons prior to cooking gives you
- More tender, palatable meat
- Better mouthfeel without stringy ligaments
- Smooth, luxurious texture in every bite
Getting rid of those gristly bits makes turkey legs more appetizing and easier to enjoy.
What You’ll Need
Removing tendons from raw turkey legs is simple with just a few handy tools:
- Sharp boning knife or fillet knife
- Kitchen shears
- Needle nose pliers
- Kitchen twine (optional)
Make sure your knife is razor sharp. This gives you the control and precision to remove tendons cleanly.
Prep the Turkey Legs
Once you have your supplies ready, prepare the drumsticks for tendon removal
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Rinse legs under cool water and pat dry completely with paper towels. Moisture makes tendons slippery and harder to grip.
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If still attached, remove the foot. Slice through the joint connecting the foot and leg. Discard the foot or reserve for stock.
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Use kitchen shears to carefully slice through the skin around the exposed ankle end, fully encircling the leg. Leave skin intact on the meatier parts.
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Pull or peel back the skin, exposing the full tendon structure within.
Exposing the ankle area gives access to grip and pull out the stringy tissue.
Removing the Tendons
With turkey legs prepped, it’s time for tendon removal:
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Use your fingertips to locate the thick opaque tendons along the ankle and lower leg. They should be easy to distinguish from the surrounding flesh.
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Starting at the ankle, slip your boning knife under one tendon, angle the blade up, and slice cleanly to free the tendon from the meat.
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Take needle nose pliers and grasp the freed tendon end. Pull it out slowly and gently, using a back and forth rocking motion as you extract the tendon.
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Snip away any residual tendon material with kitchen shears. Avoid slicing into the leg meat.
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Repeat the process to remove any remaining tendons, slicing beneath each one with your knife before using the pliers to pull them out completely.
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Once all tendons are extracted, rinse the legs and pat dry again. Tendons can leave moisture behind.
Truss and Tie (Optional)
For a professional presentation, truss and tie the tendon-free legs:
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Cut 2 lengths of kitchen twine, each about 18 inches long.
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Bend one leg at the joint, positioning it into a compact shape.
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Wrap a length of twine around the base then tie securely. Repeat to truss the other leg.
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Trim excess string with kitchen shears. Trussed legs hold their shape better when cooking.
Cook As Usual
With unappealing tendons removed, you can roast, grill, or smoke your turkey legs to perfection. They’ll be super tender without nasty surprises in each juicy bite!
For optimal flavor and texture, brine legs overnight before cooking. Slather with olive oil and your favorite seasonings too.
Tendon Removal Tips
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Chill legs thoroughly in fridge for easier tendon removal. Cold constricts the tissue.
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Cut slits between the tendons if they’re tangled together and difficult to isolate.
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Don’t slice too deeply when freeing tendons or you may cut into the leg meat.
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Pull slowly and gently on tendons to avoid tearing the muscle tissue.
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Watch videos to see tendon removal in action if written steps aren’t clear.
With practice, you’ll be an expert at removing those obnoxious turkey leg tendons quickly and painlessly. Just take your time and follow each step closely. Soon your holiday table or summer BBQ will be graced with the most luscious, tender drumsticks ever tasted!
Key Takeaways for Removing Turkey Leg Tendons
- Prep legs by removing foot, slicing around ankle, and peeling back skin
- Use a sharp boning knife to free up individual tendons
- Grip exposed tendon ends with needle nose pliers and pull out gently
- Rinse legs and pat very dry after removing tendons
- Truss and tie tendon-free legs for better shape if desired
- Cook legs as usual for deliciously tender results
Have you got any techniques for getting those pesky tendons out? Share your tips and tricks in the comments!
How to Debone a Turkey Leg and Thigh For a Roulade
FAQ
How many tendons are in a turkey leg?
What are the hard things in a turkey leg?
How do you remove tendons from a turkey leg?
Identifying the tendons in a turkey leg is the first step towards their removal. They are typically located in the drumstick portion of the leg, running along the length of the meat. Follow these steps to locate them: Place the turkey leg on the cutting board with the meatier side facing up. Cut a small portion from the bottom end of the drumstick.
How can one help with tendinitis in the outer ankle?
Ice, rest, and a walking boot can help. Rest: try to avoid moving the tendon for 2 to 3 days. Ice: put an ice pack (or try a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel on the tendon for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Support: wrap an elastic bandage around the area, use a tube bandage, or use a soft brace. In addition, anti-inflammatory tablets such as ibuprofen reduce inflammation and pain. GTN patches can also help with the pain. Secondly, physiotherapy to strengthening the peroneal tendons, calf muscles, and small muscles of the foot plays a role.
How do you remove the legs from a Turkey?
To remove the legs, push from the back of the bird until you see the bone in the joint break through the skin. This will happen easily, so be careful. Beginning at the top of the thigh, near the oyster, slice along the bone until the leg separates from the carcass. Reserve chilled. Should I cut the legs off my turkey?
What is a tendon on a turkey leg?
Tendons are tough, flexible bands of fibrous tissue that connect muscles to bones. In a turkey leg, they primarily run along the length of the drumstick, connecting the meat to the lower bone. They appear as white, rubbery strands that retain their toughness even after prolonged cooking. Why Remove Tendons From Turkey Legs?
Can you cook turkey legs without tendons?
Cooking turkey legs without tendons can significantly impact both the cooking process and the final results. With the tough tendons removed, heat can more evenly penetrate the meat, potentially reducing the cooking time. Here are some points to note:
How do you remove a turkey leg from a drumstick?
Place the turkey leg on the cutting board with the meatier side facing up. Cut a small portion from the bottom end of the drumstick. This will expose the ends of the tendons. Look for white, fibrous strands. These are the tendons you want to remove. Once you’ve located the tendons, the next step is to pull them out.