Turkey legs are a popular snack at carnivals and holiday meals But biting into the juicy, savory meat reveals a mouthful of thin bones. So why do turkey legs contain so many more bones compared to chicken legs?
The short answer is turkey legs evolved to support the heavy birds’ weight Understanding the anatomy and purpose of the extra bones helps explain this bony phenomenon
The Bone Structure of Turkey Legs
Turkey and chicken legs contain the same three main bones
- Femur – The thigh bone attaching the leg to the body
- Tibia – The main shin bone running parallel to the femur
- Fibula – The small, thin bone alongside the tibia
These three bones provide the basic leg framework allowing the bird to stand and move. But there are key differences leading to more bones in turkeys.
Calcified Tendons Act Like Bones
In chickens, tendons connect the muscles to the bones and remain flexible. But in turkeys, these tendons undergo calcification – they harden into bone-like tissue.
These calcified tendons branch through the leg meat like extra bones. They provide structural support and strength so the heavy birds can bear their weight without injury.
Chickens don’t undergo this tendon calcification, so their meat appears boneless.
Why Turkey Legs Have More Bones
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Turkeys are much heavier than chickens, especially commercial breeds.
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Their leg tendons calcify to reinforce the legs under heavy bodies.
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Calcified turkey tendons act like bony spines running between muscles and bones.
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Chickens are lighter so their tendons don’t require calcification for support.
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More bones provide the stability needed for turkeys to move through various terrains.
So the abundance of thin bones in turkey legs reflects an evolutionary adaptation to support their greater mass and allow mobility.
Number of Bones Varies by Turkey Size
The number of calcified tendon-bones depends on the turkey’s overall size:
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Small heritage breed turkeys have fewer tendon bones.
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Large commercial turkeys can have over a dozen fragment bones.
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More bones concentrate in the thickest drumstick portion.
A 20 lb turkey will contain noticeably more leg bones than a smaller 10 lb bird.
Impact on Flavor and Texture
The calcified turkey tendons don’t negatively impact flavor or texture:
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As they cook, the tendons transfer savory juices throughout the meat.
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Dissolving tendons release richness into the surrounding meat.
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They provide a pleasant, meaty chewiness to the leg meat.
So while annoying to navigate, the bones actually boost flavor and texture.
Dealing with the Abundant Bones
Here are some tips for handling the bones in turkey legs:
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Carefully pick out bones with fingers while eating.
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Cut meat off bones before serving if desired.
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Cook legs low and slow until meat falls off bones.
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Avoid giving small children legs due to choking hazard.
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Stick to boneless turkey if bones irritate you.
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Focus on flavor rather than a hand-held meal.
With the right techniques, the bones are less bothersome and you can enjoy the signature taste.
Why Turkey Legs Became Fair Food
The size and bone structure of turkey legs help explain their popularity as fair and theme park food:
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Abundant bones make the legs easier to grip and hold.
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Bones help the legs retain their shape during cooking without falling apart.
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Large size accommodates thick seasoning or sauces.
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It takes time to eat around the bones, making it a substantial snack.
The bones act like a built-in handle, transforming the legs into convenient edible hand-held foods.
Other Low-Bone Turkey Cuts
For boneless turkey meat, opt for these cuts:
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Breast fillets or cutlets
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Slices or strips
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Ground or chopped turkey
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Tenderloin
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Sausage, nuggets, burgers
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Deli-style lunchmeat
Breast meat has a milder flavor but avoids the bones and tendons found in legs.
Can You Buy Boneless Turkey Legs?
Boneless turkey legs are available at some grocers or online sellers. They contain all the leg meat with bones and tendons removed.
Without bones, the meat may cook more evenly. But some flavor nuance from dissolved tendons is missing.
Boneless legs are easier to eat, especially for children. But the bones contribute to the character of classic turkey legs. Go boneless if bones bother you, but expect to lose some essence.
Understanding the Turkey Leg Anatomy
While the abundance of thin leg bones may seem strange initially, it makes sense when considering turkey anatomy and evolution. Their legs require numerous bones and calcified tendons to support their robust frames and enable mobility. These bones also bring great flavor to the leg meat. With some preparation tricks, you can still relish gnawing on turkey legs in all their bony glory.
Turkey Leg and Thigh Recipes
Here are three simple steps to get more from your turkey harvests this year. Below you’ll see step-by-step instructions with pictures to detail how to break down a turkey leg. Give it a try and remember what I always say, “You can’t screw up, it’s just another meatball.” Meaning, even if you hack at the meat, it’s still gunna get eaten.
Step 1: Removing the leg and thigh
Coming in next to the breast you will take your knife and slice straight down. Your knife will soon hit the ball socket joint that attaches the thigh bone to the pelvic bone. Once your knife hits this spot you just press down on the thigh and the ball will pop from the socket. Once this happens, just take your knife and cut straight down. This will remove the whole leg and thigh off in one beautiful piece.
Top 10 UNTOLD TRUTHS of Disney’s Giant Turkey Legs
FAQ
Do turkey legs have a lot of bones?
The problem is turkey legs can be really tough. There are lots of tendons and bones in that leg for meat to cling to, and most vendors don’t cook them long enough.
Why are turkey legs so hard to eat?
The wild turkey legs are filled with tendons that turn hard as rocks when you cook them, and this scares many people off.
Why does turkey meat have so many bones?
The avian skeleton is comprised of approximately 150 bones and has two primary functions, one is to provide the framework to support muscle attachment and protect internal organs and the other function is to provide a store-house for calcium and phosphorus, two essential elements important for mineral homeostasis and …
Why do turkeys have strong legs?
The strong legs allow turkeys to run quickly and escape predators. The flexible neck helps them forage for food and keep an eye on their surroundings. The sturdy wings, while not used for sustained flight, are crucial for balance and short bursts of lift.
What happens when people have very thin bones?
People with very thin bones usually have osteoporosis. Bones lose some of their strength and are more likely to break. People with osteoporosis have a higher risk of fractures. Bones can fracture even during everyday movements, such as bending or coughing. The most common osteoporotic fractures occur in the wrist, hip and spine.
Do turkeys have leg problems?
By: Jackie Linden Leg problems of various types in turkeys have cropped up several times in the news over the last few weeks. Clearly, leg and foot conditions have implications in terms of both reduced welfare and production (poor growth and condemnations at the slaughterhouse).
What is the Turkey Leg in Mope.io?
The Turkey Leg is a food source in Mope.io that spawned in all biomes and was edible for all animals above tier 5. It could be eaten in a single hit and provided around 600-800 XP. The Turkey Leg spawned in all biomes.
Why do turkey legs need to be tied up?
By tying up the turkey’s legs, you are effectively reducing the amount of hot air around them. If there is not a lot of hot air present, the turkey legs will take longer to cook. Turkey legs already take a long time to cook because they have bones. That cooking time will extend even further after trussing.
What are turkey bones called?
These are called the major caruncles. All the mottled coagulation of shiny, leather-like skin that wraps around the turkey’s head like a hood and runs down their necks are also considered caruncles. How do you cook turkey bones in a slow cooker?