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:
Turkey drumsticks are a delicious and versatile option for making a flavorful family meal With their rich, savory dark meat and crispy skin, drumsticks can be the star of a holiday spread or a weeknight dinner However, to get the best results when cooking turkey drumsticks, it’s important to know how long they need to cook.
Factors That Affect Cooking Time
There are a few key factors that will determine the cooking time for turkey drumsticks:
-
Size of the drumsticks – Larger drumsticks will obviously take longer to cook through than smaller ones. Whole turkey legs including both the thigh and drumstick will take the longest.
-
Bone-in vs boneless – Bone-in drumsticks will take longer than boneless since the bone acts as an insulator,
-
Cooking method – The oven, grill, slow cooker, and stovetop will all require different cook times.
-
Temperature – Higher heat will cook the drumsticks faster than lower, gentler heat.
-
Type of turkey – Heritage breed turkeys tend to have more fat and connective tissue so may require longer cooking.
-
Doneness preference – Drumsticks cooked to 165°F for juicy meat vs. 185°F for fall-off-the-bone tender.
Oven Baked Turkey Drumsticks
When baking drumsticks in the oven, plan on the following cook times:
-
Whole turkey legs (including thigh and drumstick) will take approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours at 350°F.
-
For drumsticks only, cook for around 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.
-
Smaller or boneless drumsticks may only need 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
-
Add 15-20 minutes if cooking from frozen.
-
Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
To get ultra tender, fall-off-the-bone drumsticks, cook for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until the temperature reaches 185°F. The lower and slower method will break down the collagen for maximum tenderness.
Grilled Turkey Drumsticks
Grilling imparts delicious smoky flavor to turkey drumsticks. Grill them over medium indirect heat for:
-
60 to 75 minutes for bone-in whole turkey legs or drumsticks.
-
45 to 60 minutes for boneless drumsticks.
-
10 additional minutes if thawed from frozen state.
Rotate the drumsticks every 10-15 minutes to prevent burning. Use a digital thermometer to test for 180°F, the safe temperature for poultry cooked on the grill.
Slow Cooker Turkey Drumsticks
A slow cooker is a hands-off way to cook juicy, tender turkey drumsticks. Cook times will be:
-
8-10 hours on low heat or 5-6 hours on high for bone-in drumsticks.
-
6-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high for boneless.
-
Add 1-2 hours for frozen drumsticks.
The prolonged simmering time ensures the meat becomes very tender and easy to remove from the bone.
Boiled Turkey Drumsticks
While not as common, you can boil turkey drumsticks on the stovetop until fully cooked.
-
Bone-in drumsticks will need 45-60 minutes in simmering water or broth.
-
Boneless pieces will take 30-45 minutes.
-
Increase cook time by 10-15 minutes if boiling frozen drumsticks.
Boil until the internal temperature is 180°F. The drumsticks will have a soft, pull-apart texture great for soups or casseroles.
Key Things to Keep in Mind
-
Always rely on a meat thermometer, not just cook times, to determine doneness.
-
Let drumsticks rest 10-15 minutes before serving for juicier meat.
-
Add 15-20 minutes to the stated time if cooking frozen drumsticks.
-
For fall-off-the-bone tender drumsticks, cook low and slow until 185°F.
-
Adjust time down slightly for smaller or boneless drumsticks.
-
Turn or rotate bone-in drumsticks during oven, grill or stovetop cooking to prevent burning.
With the proper technique and cook time, you can enjoy incredibly juicy, flavorful turkey drumsticks any night of the week. Just follow recipes closely and use a thermometer for perfectly cooked results every time.
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.
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.
Oven Baked Turkey Legs | Easy Baked Turkey Legs | Ray Mack’s Kitchen & Grill
FAQ
What temp should turkey drumsticks be cooked to?
How many minutes does it take to cook drumsticks?
Do turkey legs take longer to cook than turkey breast?