Are Turkey Drumsticks the Same as Turkey Legs?

Turkey is a popular meat that graces many dinner tables especially during the holidays. While the breast is the most prized and lean cut the legs and drumsticks pack lots of flavor. But it can get confusing trying to figure out if drumsticks and legs are the same cut of meat. Let’s break it down.

Anatomy of a Turkey Leg

A turkey leg is comprised of two parts – the thigh and the drumstick The thigh is the upper portion above the knee joint It contains a good amount of lean, white breast meat in addition to darker meat. The drumstick is the lower part below the knee. It consists almost entirely of dark meat and has a long, thick bone running through the center.

Drumsticks are smaller than whole legs. A full leg may weigh 1-2.5 lbs, while a drumstick is typically 0.5-1 lb. Legs have a higher meat to bone ratio.

Common Ways to Cook Turkey Legs and Drumsticks

Due to their smaller size, drumsticks are perfect for roasting or grilling. The bone helps the dark meat remain juicy and flavorful. Drumsticks are often sold in packs for easy weeknight meals.

On the other hand, bulky legs are well suited for smoking, braising, or roasting low and slow until fork tender. Cooking methods that break down connective tissue work well with legs. Given their larger size and mix of light and dark meat, whole legs can feed more people, making them ideal for holidays.

The Confusion Between Turkey Legs and Drumsticks

Drumsticks are anatomically distinct from legs, so why all the confusion? Here are some of the reasons this food faux pas persists:

Euphemisms – Back in the old days, directly mentioning body parts like “limbs” at the dinner table was impolite. So people used the term “drumstick” as a more delicate reference to the leg. The name stuck even after social norms changed.
Resemblance to Percussion Instruments – Early drumsticks were short, thick sticks similar in shape to poultry drumsticks. This similarity in appearance probably contributed to turkey legs being referred to as drumsticks.
Interchangeable Names in Recipes – Over time, it became commonplace for recipes, cookbooks, and grocery labels to use “drumstick” and “leg” interchangeably. When a recipe calls for a “drumstick,” it may refer to a whole leg or just the lower portion.
Casual Speech – In informal settings, most people simply grab a leg or drumstick without paying much attention to the anatomical difference. The terms are frequently used as synonyms in everyday conversations.

are turkey drumsticks the same as turkey legs

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.

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.

The Best (and Secret) Recipe For Disney Turkey Legs

FAQ

Why are turkey legs called drumsticks?

Thanksgiving Day Trivia: How the drumstick got its name. The modern word drumstick, as in turkey drumstick, was named in the 16th century because it resembled what people in the 1500’s knew to be percussion drumsticks.

What are turkey legs called?

Certain topics, such as body parts, weren’t considered ‘proper’ to say in the company of “ladies.” This led to many creative euphemisms for a turkey’s anatomy. “Please pass the leg” just wasn’t considered an acceptable request at the dinner table, so people started referring to turkey legs as drumsticks.

What part of the turkey is the drumstick?

It’s the tibiotarsus, or long bone of the lower leg.

Are turkey drumsticks tough?

The most important thing to keep in mind with Turkey Drumsticks is that, especially for our pastured birds, they’re going to be tough if they aren’t cooked long enough. Just like a brisket, Turkey Drumsticks do best when cooked low and slow, to allow the muscle fibers to relax and become tender.

Are turkey thighs and drumsticks the same?

Turkey thighs and drumsticks may be sold together as a single piece, similar to whole chicken legs (aka chicken quarters).”Turkey legs” can refer to either the thigh and drumstick or the drumstick alone, like in this recipe. Bone-in, skin-on thighs are more often sold separately from drumsticks (aka legs). How Long Does It Take To Cook Turkey Legs?

Can you eat turkey thighs and drumsticks together?

Plus, you don’t need to deal with carving a big bird. Turkey thighs and drumsticks may be sold together as a single piece, similar to whole chicken legs (aka chicken quarters).”Turkey legs” can refer to either the thigh and drumstick or the drumstick alone, like in this recipe.

What are baked turkey drumsticks?

Baked turkey drumsticks make a delicious and family-friendly dinner that’s also great for special occasions. These turkey legs are slowly roasted until the meat falls off the bone, the skin is crispy, meat flavorful and perfectly spiced. They make a great alternative to whole turkey legs or a whole turkey!

Are turkey drumsticks a good alternative to chicken?

Turkey drumsticks are a flavorful alternative to chicken. They are best known for their savory dark meat and crispy brown skin. Drumsticks are much easier to prepare than a whole turkey, so they’re a great choice for weeknight cooking. Learn how to bake, grill, slow-cook, or boil turkey drumsticks to perfection. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (177 °C).