How Long To Cook Turkey Thighs for Moist, Tender Meat

Turkey thighs are an underrated cut of meat that can be juicy flavorful and easy to cook perfectly if you know how long to cook them. With the right techniques turkey thighs rival chicken thighs and legs as an amazing budget-friendly protein to serve for dinner.

As a home cook and food blogger, I love experimenting with different ways to cook turkey thighs in the oven or on the stovetop. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot of tips and tricks for getting tender, juicy meat with crispy skin every time.

In this article, I’ll share everything I know about how long you should cook turkey thighs. You’ll learn about:

• Estimated oven and stovetop cook times
• How bone-in vs boneless impacts cook time
• Adjusting time for frozen turkey thighs
• Internal temperature and doneness
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• Delicious flavor ideas and recipes

Trust me, after reading this guide, you’ll be excited to add turkey thighs to your dinner rotation. Let’s get started!

Estimated Turkey Thigh Cook Times

The exact cook time for turkey thighs can vary quite a bit based on the size of the thighs, whether they are bone-in or boneless, oven temperature, and more But here are some general estimates for cook times

Bone-in turkey thighs:

• Oven at 350°F: 60-90 minutes
• Oven at 400°F: 45-60 minutes

Boneless turkey thighs

• Oven at 350°F: 35-45 minutes
• Oven at 400°F: 25-35 minutes

Stovetop bone-in thighs:

• Simmering: 45-60 minutes
• Pan frying: 6-10 minutes per side

Tips:

• Pound thicker thighs to an even thickness for more even cooking
• Arrange thighs so they aren’t overlapping for even browning
• Use a meat thermometer for best accuracy

As you can see, bone-in thighs take quite a bit longer than boneless. Removing the bone speeds up cook time. A higher oven temp also reduces cook time, but can dry out the meat if you aren’t careful.

How Bone-In and Boneless Changes Cook Time

Why do bone-in turkey thighs take so much longer to cook than boneless thighs? It comes down to the bone.

The bone adds insulation to the meat, slowing down the cooking process. The meat closest to the bone cooks slower than the rest.

For bone-in thighs, heat has to conduct from the outside of the thigh through the bone to the innermost meat. It takes a long time for the inside of the thigh to reach the safe minimum internal temp of 165°F.

With boneless thighs, there is no bone getting in the way of the heat reaching the meat. So boneless thighs cook much more quickly and evenly since the heat can access all parts of the meat right away.

That’s why bone-in thighs need up to double the oven time of boneless thighs to cook through fully without drying out.

Adjust Cook Time for Frozen Turkey Thighs

What if the turkey thighs you bought are frozen? How does that impact cook time?

Be sure to thaw frozen turkey thighs safely in the refrigerator before cooking. I like to give them 24 hours minimum to thaw thoroughly.

Once thawed, you can use the same oven temp and cook times recommended above. But add 5-15 extra minutes to compensate for the meat starting out icy cold from the freezer.

I also recommend using a meat thermometer to check for doneness instead of relying on cook time. Thermometers give you the best accuracy when dealing with frozen meat.

If you’re in a rush, you can cook frozen turkey thighs without thawing first. Just increase oven temp by 50°F and cook time by 50%. So if the recipe calls for 1 hour bake time at 350°F, increase to 400°F and cook for 1.5 hours.

Flip the thighs halfway through for even cooking since the cold spots created by frozen meat can lead to uneven cooking. And absolutely use a meat thermometer for doneness.

Internal Temperature and Doneness of Turkey Thighs

The best way to ensure your turkey thighs are cooked perfectly and safely is to use a reliable meat thermometer. Cook until the thermometer reads 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of a thigh.

For bone-in thighs, make sure to insert the thermometer into the meatiest part avoiding the bone. Bones retain heat and will give a false high reading.

Signs of done turkey thighs:

• Internal temp of 165°F
• Meat pulling away from the bone
• Juices run clear when pricked with a fork
• Thigh meat is opaque all the way through

Undercooked turkey is unsafe to eat, so always rely on a thermometer for accuracy. Let thighs rest 5-10 minutes before serving for juicy, tender meat.

Common Turkey Thigh Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to end up with dry, tough turkey thighs if you aren’t careful. Follow these tips to avoid common mistakes:

Mistake: Overcooking

Solution: Use a meat thermometer and don’t solely rely on cook time. Check temp early and often.

Mistake: Undercooking

Solution: Again, use a reliable thermometer to confirm 165°F internal temp. Check in a few places.

Mistake: Picking the wrong cut

Solution: Look for larger, well-shaped thighs without tears or holes in the meat. Avoid skimpy irregular pieces.

Mistake: Skipping brining

Solution: For juicy meat, brine bone-in thighs for 12-24 hrs before cooking.

Mistake: Not letting rest before cutting

Solution: Always let thighs rest 5-10 minutes before slicing to retain juices.

See? With good techniques like brining, using a thermometer, and letting meat rest, it’s easy to nail perfectly cooked, juicy and tender turkey thighs every time.

Flavorful Recipes for Turkey Thighs

From Mediterranean and Indian spices to barbecue and honey mustard, turkey thighs pair well with all kinds of flavor profiles.

Here are a few of my favorite turkey thigh recipes:

Simple Roasted Turkey Thighs

• Olive oil, salt, pepper
• Oven roasted with potatoes

BBQ Turkey Thighs

• Dry rub with paprika, brown sugar, chili powder
• Baked with BBQ sauce glaze

Citrusy Turkey Thighs

• Marinated in orange juice, lime, garlic
• Broiled and topped with salsa

Indian Spiced Turkey Thighs

• Yogurt, garam masala, cumin, turmeric
• Oven baked

Honey Mustard Turkey Thighs

• Brined then roasted
• Glazed with honey mustard

Mediterranean Turkey Thighs

• Olives, tomatoes, spinach, feta
• Marinated in herbs and baked

With so many options for flavor, you could enjoy turkey thighs multiple times a week and never get bored! They are budget-friendly too.

Let’s Cook Some Delicious Turkey Thighs!

Now you know exactly how long to cook turkey thighs in the oven or on the stovetop to end up with tender, juicy meat and crispy skin.

Keep in mind how bone-in vs boneless, oven temp, and frozen vs thawed all impact total cook time. Use a thermometer for the best results and avoid common mistakes like overcooking.

Flavor your turkey thighs with citrus, barbecue rubs, Indian spices or whatever flavors you love. Then enjoy this underrated and delicious cut of meat on a budget!

For even more kitchen tips and family-friendly recipe ideas, check out my website and subscribe to my email newsletter using the form below. I can’t wait to help you take your home cooking skills up a notch!