Can You Cook Turkey Legs In A Crock Pot? The Complete Guide

Turkey legs are a delicious and fun alternative to cooking a whole turkey. Their large size makes them a centerpiece dish perfect for holidays game days and big family meals. Many people wonder if you can cook turkey legs in a crock pot. The answer is yes, absolutely!

Crock pots are ideal for cooking turkey legs. The slow, moist heat helps break down the collagen in the dark meat resulting in very tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey. With just a few simple ingredients like seasoning and a touch of oil or broth, you can make juicy, flavorful turkey legs in a crockpot.

In this complete guide. we will cover everything you need to know about cooking turkey legs in the crock pot including

• Benefits of using a crock pot
• Choosing and preparing turkey legs
• Recipe ideas and cooking times
• Flavor tips
• Common problems and solutions

So let’s get cooking!

Why Cook Turkey Legs In A Crock Pot?

There are a few advantages to using a crock pot instead of oven roasting or grilling turkey legs:

• Tender and juicy meat – The moist low heat environment gently breaks down collagen and fats for succulent meat that easily falls off the bone.

• Intensifies flavor – Seasonings and broth infuse into the meat over the long cook time.

• Hands-off cooking – Just throw in your ingredients and let the crock pot do the work. No frequent basting or monitoring required.

• Doesn’t heat up the kitchen – Great for hot summer days when you don’t want the oven on.

• Cooks evenly – No worries about underdone meat near the bone or overcooked outer areas.

Choosing and Preparing Turkey Legs

When buying turkey legs for the crock pot, look for legs that are similar in size to ensure even cooking. Plan on about 1 pound of turkey legs per person. For easier handling, you can ask the butcher to separate the drumstick from the thigh.

Make sure to remove the plastic pop-up timer if your turkey legs have them. Rinse the legs and pat dry. Use a knife to remove any feathers. Rub a teaspoon of oil over each leg so the seasoning sticks.

Apply your favorite spice blend or poultry seasoning all over each leg. Sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, sage, and paprika make a basic turkey rub. For extra flavor, inject broth marinade deep into the meat or coat with a wet rub up to a day in advance.

Crock Pot Cooking Times for Turkey Legs

• High heat: 3-4 hours
• Low heat: 6-8 hours

Turkey legs may cook faster than chicken since they have less fat. Start checking for doneness after 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low. The meat should reach 165°F internally and be very tender.

If using frozen turkey legs, add 1-2 hours to the cook time. Always thaw in the refrigerator beforehand, not at room temperature.

How to Cook Turkey Legs in the Crock Pot

This simple recipe for crockpot turkey legs delivers perfect results every time.

Ingredients:

• 4-6 turkey legs (2-3 lbs total)
• 1⁄4 cup chicken broth or water
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• 1⁄4 tsp pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine broth, oil, garlic, and seasonings in crock pot. Add turkey legs and turn to coat.
2. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours until very tender.
3. Use tongs to transfer legs to a platter. Tent with foil for 10 minutes before serving.

The natural juices from the turkey legs will create a tasty broth in the crock pot. You can use this to make gravy or serve the legs with hearty sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, or roasted vegetables.

Flavor Tips for Crock Pot Turkey Legs

• Use beer, wine, or apple juice instead of broth for more complex flavor.
• Add chopped onions, carrots, or celery to the crock pot.
• Stir in dried fruits like cranberries or apricots during the last hour.
• Top with barbecue sauce or homemade chutney for sticky goodness.
• Fold in pesto, tapenade, or harissa paste after cooking.
• Coat with melted butter then roll in chopped fresh herbs.

Troubleshooting Common Crock Pot Turkey Leg Problems

Turkey legs are dry or stringy

• Use boneless legs which tend to be more tender. Cook on low heat only.
• Inject and marinate legs in advance to boost moisture.
• Add more broth and cook longer until meat is fall-apart tender.

Turkey legs lack flavor

• Season under the skin for better flavor infusion.
• Use a flavorful marinade or broth like wine, citrus, or spice blends.
• Sprinkle with extra seasoning after cooking if needed.

Turkey cooks unevenly

• Arrange legs in a single layer, not stacked.
• Use legs that are similarly sized. Cut in half if needed.
• Rotate and turn legs midway through cooking.

Turkey legs are not getting done

• Make sure crock pot is reaching proper temperature.
• Switch to high heat. Cook for the minimum recommended time.
• Cut legs in half before cooking for more even cooking.

Cooking Frozen Turkey Legs in the Crock Pot

It’s fine to use frozen turkey legs in the slow cooker as long as they are completely thawed first. Never cook frozen meat in a crock pot. Here are some tips:

• Thaw turkey legs for 1-2 days in the refrigerator before cooking.
• Add 1-2 hours to the cook time since frozen meat takes longer.
• Use hot water or broth instead of cold liquid to help kickstart the thawing.
• Keep checking earlier for doneness since size affects cook times.

Frozen pre-seasoned turkey legs can be tossed right into the crock pot once thawed. Combine seasoning mixes with broths or juices for more flavor.

Achieving the Best Texture

The long, moist cooking environment of the crock pot is perfect for breaking down the collagen in turkey legs for succulent, fall-off-the-bone meat. Here are some tips:

• Cook on low heat only for maximum tenderness.
• Use drumsticks which have more connective tissue.
• Allow turkey legs to cook for the full recommended time.
• Cover and let turkey rest 10-15 minutes before digging in.

Infusing Turkey Legs with Lots of Flavor

Turkey legs may need a flavor boost since dark meat has less inherent flavor than white breast meat. Here are some easy ways to pack in tasty flavor:

• Brown the legs before slow cooking for greater depth.
• Inject broth marinades deep into the meat.
• Coat with spice rubs, herb pastes, or wet marinades.
• Use strongly flavored liquids like wine, citrus juices or spiced broths.
• Finish with glazes, sauces, or spice rubs.

Handy Crock Pot Cooking Techniques

• Browning – Quickly brown legs in a skillet before slow cooking for enhanced flavor.
• Layering – Place vegetables, potatoes, or stuffing underneath turkey legs.
• Shredding – Use two forks to shred cooked turkey meat for sandwiches, tacos, etc.
• Thickening – Mix cornstarch with reserved juices to make flavorful gravy.
• Broiling – Finish with a quick broil to crisp and brown the skin.

Tips for Cooking Turkey Legs to Perfection in the Crock Pot

• Prep ahead. Thaw, season, marinate for best flavor and texture.
• Cook on low up to 8 hours for very tender meat.
• Use broth, wine or juice to add moisture and prevent drying out.
• Arrange legs in a single layer, not stacked on top of each other.
• Turn halfway through cooking for even doneness.
• Let rest 10 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.
• Add vegetables the last hour to use flavorful turkey juices.
• Make gravy from the natural cooking liquid left in the crock pot.

So grab your crock pot and a pack of turkey legs for an easy, delicious meal the whole family will love. Happy slow cooking!