Turkey is a classic protein to enjoy during the holidays, but you can also cook it year-round for a great alternative to chicken. Just like chicken, various parts of a turkey are delicious and easy to cook. For another method of cooking turkey legs, try my Air Fryer Turkey Legs. Or, try your hand at roasting turkey parts with my Melt in Your Mouth Turkey Tenderloins, Marinated Turkey Tenderloin, and Turkey Wings Recipe.
One of my favorite aspects of this recipe is that it looks (and tastes) so delicious for how easy it is to whip up, making it an ideal crowd-pleasing centerpiece for a small holiday dinner or a fun handheld dish to serve on Game Day. However you make it, this roasted turkey leg recipe is sure to impress dark meat lovers everywhere.
All you need for crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside oven-roasted turkey legs are a few simple ingredients, which we’re using to make a rub with lots of butter and yummy seasonings. Here’s an ingredient breakdown:
Juicy, tender turkey legs with crispy skin are an irresistible treat. But nailing the right internal temperature is key to getting the best results when cooking turkey legs. This comprehensive guide will explore the ideal temperatures and techniques to help you cook your turkey legs to finger-licking perfection.
Why Temperature Matters
Temperature control is crucial when cooking any type of meat, but especially poultry. Cooking turkey legs to the proper internal temperature kills any potential harmful bacteria and ensures the meat is safe to eat It also breaks down the connective tissues in turkey legs to yield tender, succulent meat
Undercooking can lead to dry, tough texture and food safety issues. Overcooking results in dried out turkey that lacks flavor. Finding the right temperature sweet spot is essential.
The Ideal Turkey Leg Temperature
According to USDA food safety guidelines, the minimum safe temperature for cooked poultry is 165°F (74°C). However, most chefs recommend taking turkey legs to a higher temperature for best texture.
For optimal tenderness and moisture, turkey legs should reach an internal temperature of 175°F to 180°F (79°C to 82°C). Cooking to this range gently melts the collagen in the legs, creating succulent, fall-off-the-bone meat.
If you want crispy skin, start at a lower temperature and then blast at 375°F (190°C) for the last 15-30 minutes. This helps render the fat and crisp the skin beautifully.
Always use an instant-read thermometer to monitor doneness rather than relying on time. The thickness of the legs and your oven can impact cook times.
Oven Roasting Turkey Legs
Roasting in the oven is a simple, classic technique that evenly cooks turkey legs while generating crisp, golden skin.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Pat turkey legs dry and coat with oil, salt, pepper and desired seasonings.
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Place on a rack in a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet.
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Roast for 1.5 – 2.5 hours until 175°F to 180°F (79°C to 82°C).
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Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
The high heat helps render fat, brown the skin, and concentrate flavors. Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness.
Slow Cooking Turkey Legs
Slow cooking is ideal for rendering turkey legs ultra moist and tender.
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Season legs and place in a slow cooker with 1 cup broth or water.
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Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4 hours.
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Cook until fork tender and 175°F to 180°F (79°C to 82°C).
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Remove bones before serving if desired.
The gentle heat slowly dissolves connective tissue without drying out the meat. Infuse flavors in the braising liquid.
Grilling Juicy Turkey Legs
Grilling imparts delicious smoky notes while developing flavorful browning.
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Prepare a medium indirect grill heated to 350°F (175°C).
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Brine turkey legs for added moisture and flavor.
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Grill over indirect heat for 1.5 – 2 hours until 175°F (79°C).
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Flip occasionally to prevent burning.
The two-zone fire method prevents flare-ups and allows legs to slowly roast while absorbing smoky flavor.
Tips for Moist, Tender Results
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Brining is highly recommended to impart extra moisture and seasoning.
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Look for smaller, 1 lb legs or plan longer cook times for jumbo legs.
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Resist cutting to check for doneness too early. Use a thermometer instead.
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Allow to rest for 10 minutes before carving to retain juices.
Mastering the ideal temperature range results in turkey legs that are browned on the outside, tender and juicy inside, and packed with flavor. Whether roasting, braising, grilling or smoking, proper temperature control is the key to delicious results. So grab your instant-read thermometer and start cooking for finger-licking turkey leg perfection.
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How Long Does It Take to Bake Turkey Legs in the Oven?
Turkey legs can come in all shapes and sizes, which creates a lot of guesswork when it comes to cooking time. Below are some tips that will boost your confidence when baking turkey drumsticks and help you determine doneness:
- Cook time: Cook time is directly related to the size of the turkey drumstick. Larger legs take longer to cook, while smaller ones cook in a shorter amount of time. A medium-sized turkey leg, which weighs around 12-14 ounces, should take about an hour to cook in a 400-degree F oven. You can lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F if desired, but keep in mind that a high-temperature oven helps you achieve a crisp outside and tender inside. If you prefer to bake them at 350 F, be prepared to add 10-20 minutes to the baking time.
- Internal temperature: The best way to test doneness is to insert a meat thermometer (affiliate link) into the thickest part of the turkey drumsticks. The temperature for cooked turkey leg should reach at least 165 degrees F to indicate that it’s cooked through.
How to Season Turkey Legs?
It’s essential to properly season turkey legs for maximum flavor, and there are many different seasoning methods and combinations to try. For instance, you can season them “caveman” style, also known as fair style turkey legs, with chili powder and Montreal, or add a smoky flavor profile like the ones you’d find at Disney World. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Make a dry rub: If you’d like to skip the butter, a great option is to make a dry rub for your turkey leg recipe. My Turkey Rub Recipe combines various spices that you can apply straight to the turkey before cooking.
- Try garlic butter: You haven’t lived if you haven’t tried my Roasted Garlic Butter! This flavored butter consists of beautifully caramelized garlic mixed with fresh herbs, making it the perfect flavor enhancer for your oven-roasted turkey legs.
- Use poultry seasoning: To keep things simple, buy a premade poultry seasoning blend to use as a dry rub or to combine with butter.
What temp should turkey legs be cooked to?
FAQ
What temperature should turkey legs be cooked at?
Lay the turkey legs in a roasting pan. Pour in water. Roast uncovered until the legs are golden brown and the internal temperature is 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer, about 1 ½ to 2 hours. Add more water if needed while roasting, and baste occasionally with the juices or melted butter.
Are turkey legs done at 165?
The turkey legs are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure they are cooked to perfection. Also here’s a visual cue! When the juices of your oven roasted turkey legs run clear, they are usually good to go!
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.Nov 6, 2024
Is turkey thigh done at 165 or 180?
Turkey Doneness Temp: 157°F (69°C) in the breast—not 165°F!, and 175°F (79°C) in the thigh for moist turkey.Nov 20, 2024
What temperature should turkey legs be smoked?
Smoked turkey legs are done when they reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F measured in the thickest part. Since turkey legs are dark meat, you can smoke them up to 175 degrees F internally. At this temperature the meat breaks down further making it fall off the bone. Should I brine turkey legs? Brining turkey legs is up to you.
How do you cook turkey legs in the oven?
Place them on an oven-safe rack fitted over a baking sheet. Brush the turkey with oil on all sides. Season. Sprinkle smoked paprika, garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper onto the turkey legs. Roast. Cook turkey legs in the oven, until crispy and juicy. Rest.