How to Cook Juicy, Tender Turkey Legs in the Oven

If you love sinking your teeth into a big meaty turkey leg, you’re not alone. These flavorful drumsticks are a hit at theme parks state fairs, and backyard barbecues. Learn how to cook up tender, juicy oven-roasted turkey legs at home.

Roasting turkey legs in the oven results in crispy skin enveloping succulent fall-off-the-bone meat. With just a bit of prep and some simple seasoning you can have theme park-worthy turkey legs any night of the week.

Benefits of Cooking Turkey Legs in the Oven

Roasting turkey legs in the oven has several advantages:

  • Hassle-free cooking – No need to monitor a grill. Just pop them in the oven and you’re good to go.

  • Crisp skin – The dry heat of the oven crisps up the skin beautifully

  • Tender meat – Slow oven roasting cooks the meat low and slow, keeping it incredibly moist.

  • Infused flavor – Spices and herbs permeate the meat when roasted in the oven.

  • Easy cleanup – Aside from the roasting pan, oven roasting makes cleanup a breeze.

Step-by-Step Guide to Oven-Roasted Turkey Legs

Follow these simple steps for finger-licking oven-baked turkey legs every time:

Ingredients

  • Turkey legs, drumsticks with thighs attached
  • Olive oil
  • Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, other spices of choice

Directions

  1. Prep the turkey legs: Pat dry and trim off any excess skin and fat.

  2. Coat with oil: Brush or rub turkey all over with olive oil. This helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning.

  3. Season generously: Sprinkle legs liberally with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and any other spices you like. Massage seasonings into the meat.

  4. Let sit: Let seasoned legs sit for 15-30 minutes while you preheat the oven to bake off extra moisture.

  5. Preheat oven to 350°F.

  6. Arrange legs on a rack: Place legs on a roasting rack set inside a sheet pan. The rack allows air circulation for crispy skin.

  7. Roast for 90 minutes to 2 hours. Turkey legs can vary in size, so start checking at 90 minutes.

  8. Flip halfway: Rotate legs at the halfway mark for even cooking.

  9. Check temperature: Turkey legs are done when the internal temp reaches 165°F.

  10. Let rest before serving. Let legs sit for 10-15 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.

  11. Dig in! Enjoy your tender, juicy oven-roasted turkey legs.

Turkey Leg Roasting Times

Exact roasting times will vary based on the size of your turkey legs. Below are general guidelines:

  • 1-1.5 lbs: 60-90 minutes
  • 1.5-2 lbs: 90 minutes – 2 hours
  • 2-3 lbs: 2-2.5 hours

No matter the size, roast until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when a meat thermometer is inserted into the thickest part.

If browning too quickly, tent legs loosely with foil. For extra crispy skin, increase heat to 400°F for the last 15 minutes.

Flavorful Seasonings for Oven-Baked Turkey Legs

The simple salt and pepper is a fool-proof combo, but you can also kick up the flavor with spices and herbs like:

  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Smoked paprika
  • Chili powder
  • Cumin
  • Oregano
  • Thyme
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Brown sugar

Get creative with spice blends! Cajun seasoning gives a bold, spicy flavor. For Italian turkey legs, try an herby mix of basil, oregano, parsley and garlic.

Serving Suggestions

These turkey legs deserve some tasty accompaniments:

  • Roasted or mashed potatoes
  • Buttery dinner rolls
  • Coleslaw or potato salad
  • Grilled veggies like corn, zucchini or squash
  • A simple green salad

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Properly stored, leftover turkey legs will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until heated through.

The roasted meat also shreds beautifully for soups, casseroles, sandwiches, pasta dishes and more. Get creative with your leftover turkey!

The Takeaway on Oven-Roasted Turkey Legs

With just a few ingredients and simple prep, you can enjoy moist, flavorful turkey drumsticks roasted to crispy perfection right in your own oven.

Let the savory spices infuse the meat as it cooks low and slow. In about 2 hours or less, you’ll have juicy, tender turkey legs the whole family will devour. Ditch the fried fair food and go for oven-roasted!

how do i cook turkey legs in the oven

Step 2: Time to Season

how do i cook turkey legs in the oven

how do i cook turkey legs in the oven

how do i cook turkey legs in the oven

how do i cook turkey legs in the oven

Introduction: Simple Delicous Turkey Legs

how do i cook turkey legs in the oven

Oven Baked Turkey Legs | Easy Baked Turkey Legs | Ray Mack’s Kitchen & Grill

FAQ

What temperature is a turkey leg cooked?

Oven baked. Place the turkey leg on a wire cooking rack on top of a baking sheet and cook at 350°F until an internal temp of 165°F. This took me about 35 minutes. The turkey legs are already safe to eat as they are pre cooked but taking them to 165°F ensures they are cooked through and hot.

Should I wrap my turkey legs in foil?

So, yes, you do want to cover the turkey with foil to give it a chance to roast without getting dry. But then, towards the end of the cook time, remove the foil so the skin—the best part in this writer’s opinion—gets a chance to crisp up.

How do you keep turkey legs from drying out?

Wet brining your turkey legs involves submerging the drumsticks in saltwater and placing them in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours. Brining will soften the turkey meat, ensuring it takes less time to grill. It will also infuse the turkey legs with extra moisture to prevent the meat from drying out while it grills.

Do you separate turkey legs before cooking?

Separating the breast meat from the leg meat before roasting your turkey allows you to cook both white and dark meat to the proper temperature.

How do you cook turkey legs in the oven?

Here are a few tips for cooking turkey legs in the oven: * Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit before you start cooking. * Season the turkey legs with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices. * Place the turkey legs on a baking sheet and roast them for 15 minutes per pound.

How do you cook a smoked turkey leg?

Brush the turkey with oil on all sides. Season. Sprinkle smoked paprika, garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper onto the turkey legs. Roast. Cook turkey legs in the oven, until crispy and juicy. Rest. Take roasted turkey legs out of the oven and allow to rest about 5-10 minutes before serving. Dry well.

How long does it take to cook a turkey leg?

Rub butter and sprinkle salt under and over the skin. Roast the turkey legs: Place the legs in a roasting pan and roast in a preheated oven, basting occasionally with the juices, until the skin is golden brown. The turkey legs should be perfectly golden brown and juicy in about 90 minutes to two hours.

Can you cook turkey legs on a sheet pan?

Patting the drumsticks dry before seasoning will help the skin get crispy. Use a rack. You can roast turkey legs on a regular sheet pan, but you’ll get cripier skin and more even cooking by using an oven-safe rack fitted over a baking sheet, which will allow for air circulation while baking.

Leave a Comment