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:
How Long Does It Take to Cook a Turkey Drumstick?
Cooking a juicy and flavorful turkey drumstick to perfection can seem intimidating for many home cooks. With the right technique and cooking time, it’s easy to make moist, tender drumsticks with crispy skin every time. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook turkey drumsticks perfectly.
The exact cooking time depends on a few key factors:
Drumstick Size
The size of the drumsticks makes the biggest difference in cooking time. Smaller drumsticks around 3/4 lb – 1 lb will take 1 – 1 1/2 hours to cook. Larger drumsticks around 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 lbs can take 1 1/2 – 2 hours or more.
Oven Temperature
Higher oven temperatures of 350°F – 450°F will cook drumsticks faster than lower oven temperatures of 325°F or less. High heat helps crisp the skin and cooks the meat faster.
Bone-In vs BonelessBone-in drumsticks will take longer to cook than boneless since the bone slows down the cooking process Plan for at least 30 minutes longer cooking time for bone-in
Here are some general guidelines for cooking times based on drumstick size and oven temperature:
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Small drumsticks (3/4 – 1 lb):
- 350°F oven: 1 – 1 1/4 hours
- 375°F oven: 55 minutes – 1 1/4 hours
- 400°F oven: 50 minutes – 1 hour
- 425°F – 450°F oven: 45 minutes – 1 hour
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Medium drumsticks (1 – 1 1/4 lbs):
- 350°F oven: 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 hours
- 375°F oven: 1 – 1 1/4 hours
- 400°F oven: 55 minutes – 1 1/4 hours
- 425°F – 450°F oven: 50 minutes – 1 hour
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Large drumsticks (1 1/4 – 1 1/2 lbs)
- 350°F oven: 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 hours
- 375°F oven: 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 hours
- 400°F oven: 1 – 1 1/4 hours
- 425°F – 450°F oven: 55 minutes – 1 1/4 hours
These cooking times are for bone-in drumsticks. For boneless, reduce cooking times by 30 minutes. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the drumsticks have reached the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
Tips for Moist, Tender Drumsticks
Follow these tips to help ensure your drumsticks turn out juicy and tender every time:
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Pat the drumsticks dry before seasoning and cooking. Excess moisture on the skin can make it soggy instead of crisp.
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Loosen the skin from the meat and rub seasoning or herb butter underneath. This helps flavor penetrate deep into the meat.
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Cook at a high oven temperature (400°F+) for the first 20 minutes to crisp the skin. Then lower the temp slightly to finish cooking without burning.
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Tent the drumsticks loosely with foil halfway through cooking if the skin is getting too dark.
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Always let drumsticks rest 5-10 minutes before cutting to allow juices to redistribute.
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Brine the drumsticks in a saltwater solution for 1-4 hours before cooking for extra moisture and flavor.
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Add a touch of oil or butter to the skin before cooking to help it brown and crisp up.
With the right size drumsticks and oven temp, you can have perfectly cooked, juicy turkey drumsticks on the table in around 1 – 1 1/2 hours. Use a meat thermometer and adjust cooking times as needed to dial in the results you want.
How to Cook Turkey Legs in the Oven?
While oven-roasting an entire turkey takes ages and lots of patience, cooking turkey legs only takes about an hour or so. Plus, they’re ready to eat right out of the oven. No carving required! Here’s how to make them:
- Prepare your equipment: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F, and use foil or parchment paper to line a baking sheet or roasting pan.
- Make the butter rub: Add the softened butter, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to a small bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Prep the turkey legs: Use a paper towel to pat dry the turkey legs on all sides.
- Apply the rub: Use a pastry brush or your hands to evenly coat each turkey leg with the butter mixture.
- Transfer to the baking sheet: Arrange the seasoned turkey legs in a single layer on your lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 25 minutes, uncovered.
- Cover with foil: After the 25-minute mark, loosely tent some aluminum foil over the turkey legs to prevent them from browning too quickly.
- Continue baking: Roast the turkey for another 30 minutes until they reach at least 165 degrees F.
- Let rest: After removing the roasted turkey drumsticks from the oven, tent them with foil and rest for at least 10 minutes. Serve on a large plate. You can use the juices in the sheet to either drizzle them before serving or make gravy.
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 long does it take for a drumstick to cook in the oven?
Are turkey drumsticks the same as turkey legs?
How do you cook a turkey drumstick in the oven?
Pat turkey drumsticks dry with paper towels. Place them on an oven-safe rack fitted over a baking sheet. 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.
How do you cook turkey drumsticks in a crock pot?
In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the turkey drumsticks to the bowl and toss to coat. Place the turkey drumsticks on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until cooked through. After the turkey drumsticks have cooked for 30 minutes, brush them with barbecue sauce.
How long do you cook leftover turkey drumsticks?
Wrap your leftover turkey drumsticks in foil and place them on a wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet. Reheat the foil wrapped turkey legs in a 275-degree F oven for around 35-45 minutes (of course, the timing will vary based on the amount of leftover turkey).
How long do you cook a turkey drumstick in a broiler?
Rub the herb butter under the skin and all over the drumsticks, then arrange in a single layer on the rack. Roast, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until the turkey legs are golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of the meat registers 165°F, about 40 minutes. Turn the broiler on high.