Learn how to prepare perfectly roasted turkey legs the easy way – no flipping or covering with foil required. Simply season turkey legs with a blend of salt, homemade spice mix, and oil, then bake them at 400°F until the skin turns crispy, and the meat cooks to perfection.
How To Cook Turkey Drumsticks In The Oven For Juicy, Tender and Crispy Results
Cooking turkey drumsticks in the oven is an easy and delicious way to enjoy juicy, tender turkey with crispy skin. Drumsticks are an ideal choice if you want to make a smaller amount of turkey without roasting a whole bird. They cook quickly compared to a whole turkey, and the method is very similar to baking chicken legs. With just a few simple ingredients and seasonings, you can have flavorful oven-baked turkey drumsticks on the dinner table in under an hour.
I’ll share my tips for selecting and preparing turkey drumsticks, seasoning ideas step-by-step oven cooking instructions approximate baking times, how to tell when they are done, and how to get the best results for tender meat and crispy skin.
Choosing Turkey Drumsticks
When buying drumsticks for oven roasting, look for ones that are similar in size so they will cook evenly. Avoid drumsticks with tears or holes in the skin, which can lead to dry meat.
The average drumstick weighs about 1/2 pound. Adjust cooking times slightly depending on whether your drumsticks are smaller or larger.
Letting the drumsticks sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before cooking helps them bake more quickly and evenly. Pat the skin dry thoroughly with paper towels before seasoning.
Turkey Drumstick Seasoning Ideas
The seasoning possibilities are endless when it comes to oven-baked turkey drumsticks. Here are some recommended combinations:
- Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper
- Paprika, sage, rosemary, thyme, garlic, salt, pepper
- Chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper
- Lemon pepper, thyme, sage, salt
- Cajun seasoning
- Jerk seasoning
- Salt and pepper only
Herbs, spices, salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powders all make great complements to the flavor of turkey. Brush or rub the drumsticks all over with olive oil or melted butter before applying the seasonings so they stick well.
How to Bake Turkey Drumsticks – Step by Step
Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange drumsticks skin-side up on a rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Using a rack allows air to circulate under the turkey for even cooking and crispier skin.
Generously season the turkey drumsticks on all sides with your desired herbs and spices. Rub the seasoning into the skin and meat.
Bake for 45-60 minutes, depending on size. Check for doneness at the 45 minute mark.
The drumsticks are done when the internal temperature in the thickest part of the meat reaches 165-170°F on an instant-read thermometer. The skin will be crispy and golden brown when fully cooked.
Allow the baked drumsticks to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps lock in the juices for tender, flavorful meat.
Tips for the Best Oven-Baked Turkey Drumsticks
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Dry the skin very well before seasoning – this helps it get ultra crispy in the oven.
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Use a roasting rack for air circulation and even cooking. A rack over a baking sheet works well.
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Rub seasoning under and over the skin to flavor the meat.
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Tent with foil if browning too quickly while still undercooked inside.
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Cook to an internal temp of 170°F for tender dark meat.
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Let rest before cutting for juicy results.
Serving Suggestions
Turkey drumsticks pair nicely with so many classic holiday side dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted veggies, cranberry sauce, rolls, etc. They also taste delicious on their own!
Here are more recipe serving ideas:
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Pumpkin or squash bisque
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Green bean casserole
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Roasted root vegetables like sweet potatoes, parsnips and carrots
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Quinoa or wild rice pilaf
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Brussel sprouts with bacon
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Spinach and artichoke dip
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Apple or pecan salad
Leftover turkey drumsticks can be refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for several months. Reheat gently to avoid drying out the meat. The cooked drumsticks also make tasty sandwiches and wraps when cooled.
Cooking turkey drumsticks in the oven is easy and rewarding. With just a simple seasoning blend, you can have tender baked turkey drumsticks for dinner any night of the week. They cook more quickly than roasting a whole turkey but deliver all that delicious flavor.
About roasting turkey legs
When an entire turkey is too much for your family, or you simply like dark turkey meat more, turkey legs are the perfect choice.
If you prefer white turkey meat, try our roasted split turkey breast.
As a big fan of bone-in poultry parts like chicken quarters, chicken wings, chicken legs, and of course, turkey legs. I often enjoy experimenting with various methods for preparing these delicious and juicy cuts.
Last year, I shared this air fryer turkey thighs recipe, which is also a popular one at our home.
I usually make 2 turkey legs for three of us (including one kid). But if you plan on serving them to your guests, prepare at least 1 whole drumstick per person.
I prefer a simpler approach without flipping, covering and uncovering them with aluminum foil that requires handling the hot pan multiple times.
I simply roast turkey legs using a high-sided glass dish (or a roasting pan) lined with parchment paper for less clean up. It creates a deep shallow space for the legs to bake evenly while leaving the skin exposed for that perfect crispiness.
Obviously, the roasting time will depend on the size of the legs, as some of them can be huge. But I also noticed, that the cooking time will also depend on the type of a pan (deep or regular baking pan) and whether you cover the meat or not.
From my experience, a regular baking sheet pan takes the least time. But the meat might turn out dry. Thats why I like using a deep dish and roast them uncovered – easy, juicy, and with delicious crispy skin.
You can find the quantities for each ingredient in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Turkey legs: fresh turkey drumsticks with the skin on. If you have frozen ones, let them defrost in the fridge overnight. You can also use this recipe to make turkey wings or thighs.
Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil. You can also use melted butter or a combination of both.
Salt and spices: I used my favorite home-made spice mix, made with salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried rosemary, dried sage, dried oregano, black pepper, and a little bit of cayenne (optional).
Fresh rosemary(optional): it adds that extra pine-like woody scent, making even your house smell amazing while you roast the meat. You can also use other fresh herbs, such as sage, thyme, and Italian parsley.
1). Remove the legs from the fridge at least 15 minutes before baking them. Very cold meat will coon unevenly. Carefully, pat dry the legs on both sides with paper towels to get rid of access moisture. Especially, if they were thawed.
2). In a small bowl mix, salt, and the dried herbs. Brush each leg with some olive oil on both sides. You can also use melted butter. Rub the meat generously with the spice mix on all the sides.
3). Line a deep glass baking dish (or a roasting pan) with a large sheet of parchment paper. Place the legs in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with some fresh chopped rosemary on top. I usually break it into smaller pieces with my hands.
4). Roast turkey legs in a preheated oven (400°F) for about 60-70 minutes. After 60 minutes, carefully take out the pan and start checking if they are fully cooked by inserting the instant meat thermometer in the thickest part. If the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F, the meat is cooked.
Otherwise, place it back in the oven and check again in about 10 minutes. Let the meat rest before serving for about 10 minutes.
- My homemade spice mix (see the recipe card) never fails, but you can also use any of your favorite spices or store-bought poultry dry rub instead.
- To avoid cutting cooked leg just to check if the meat is cooked, use an instant-read thermometer.
- Store leftover turkey meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, or you can freeze it for up to 3 months.
- Cooking time will depend on the size of the turkey legs, the type of baking pan, and the type your oven.
Like any other poultry meat, there are so many ways you can serve this oven-roasted turkey leg. Below, I share a few of my and my familys favorite ways:
- Classic Thanksgiving dinner: serve them alongside traditional Thanksgiving dishes like stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted green beans or roasted sweet potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce.
- Main dish: To change things up, I like to serve turkey meat as a simple dinner idea with side dishes like rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables.
- Ideas for leftovers: you can use any turkey leg meat leftovers to make soup, add to salads, and sandwiches, or turn them into tacos and quesadillas.
- Bone broth: keep the bones and make a small batch of turkey bone broth. Simply add water, some whole vegetables, herbs and simmer everything on low for a few hours.
Marinating is optional, but it can enhance the flavor of the meat. You can season the turkey legs with the spice mix and let them marinate for a few hours or overnight in the fridge before roasting.
Depending on the size of each leg, it takes between 1 to 1.5 hours to roast the turkey legs at 400°F.
Yes, you can roast them at 350°F but be prepared for a cooking time approximately 30 minutes longer.
If you have frozen turkey legs, it is recommended to thaw them overnight in the fridge before cooking. Cooking the meat from frozen will take much longer time and may result in uneven cooking.
My favorite simple seasoning is a mix of salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried rosemary, dried sage, dried oregano, and black pepper.
A Delicious and WOW ‼️Baked Turkey drumsticks recipe by Terri-Ann’s Kitchen
FAQ
What temp should turkey drumsticks be cooked to?
Are turkey drumsticks the same as turkey legs?
Why are my baked turkey legs tough?
Do you cook a turkey legs up or legs down?