How Long to Bake Turkey Legs for Juicy, Crispy Perfection

Turkey legs are a delicious and fun way to enjoy turkey without roasting a whole bird Their meaty, flavorful dark meat takes well to roasting, becoming fall-off-the-bone tender and encased in crispy, seasoned skin But to achieve turkey leg perfection, it’s important to know exactly how long to bake them. Follow these baking tips and times for juicy turkey legs with crisped, browned skin every time.

Factors That Affect Baking Time

Several factors impact how long turkey legs need to bake

• Size of the legs – Smaller 10-12 oz legs bake faster than 1 lb legs. Larger legs need more time for the heat to penetrate and cook through.

• Bone-in or boneless – Bone-in legs take longer since the bone partially insulates the meat Boneless cooks faster

• Cooking method – High heat roasting browns the skin and cooks legs faster. Lower oven temps result in longer bake times.

• Doneness temperature – Turkey legs are safe to eat at 165°F but juicier when removed from oven at 160°F and carryover cooking brings them to 165°F.

• Amount of legs – More legs in the oven create more thermal mass, resulting in longer cooking times.

How Long to Bake Bone-In Turkey Legs

For bone-in, skin-on turkey legs weighing 10-12 ounces, follow these guidelines:

• Preheat oven – Preheat oven to 450°F which promotes fast browning.

• Roast uncovered – Roast at 450°F for 15-20 minutes to brown the skin.

• Partially cover – Loosely cover legs with foil to prevent burning and continue roasting.

• Check temperature – Roast until instant read thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 160°F.

• Rest – Remove legs and let rest 10 minutes until 165°F for food safety.

• Approximate time – Smaller legs take 30-40 minutes total time with 15-20 minutes uncovered and 15-20 covered.

For larger 1-1.25 pound turkey legs, adjust method:

• Lower oven temp – Bake at 350°F to extend cooking time.

• Longer time – Roast 60-75 minutes until deep golden brown.

• Cover when browned – Loosely cover with foil once nicely browned.

• Check for doneness – Bake until instant read thermometer reaches 160°F.

• Approximate time – Total of 90 minutes – 2 hours for larger legs.

How Long to Bake Boneless Turkey Legs

Boneless turkey legs cook faster with baking times around:

• 15-20 minutes in a 450°F oven for 10-12 oz boneless legs.

• 35-45 minutes total time for 1 lb boneless legs, partially covered after browning.

Always check temperature and adjust time for perfect doneness. Appropriately cooking and resting boneless turkey legs allows them to reach a safe final internal temperature of 165°F.

Tips for Crispy Turkey Leg Skin

Achieving crispy browned turkey leg skin involves these key tips:

• Pat legs dry – Drying the skin before seasoning improves crisping.

• Brush with oil – Coating legs with a high smoke point oil like avocado oil helps crisp skin.

• Season generously – Salt, pepper, herbs and spices boost flavor and aid browning.

• ** Roast high uncovered first** – Initial high heat roasting gives the skin a head start on crisping before wrapping.

• Loosly cover to prevent burning – Foil tent prevents over-browning but allows crisp skin to finish.

• Let rest before serving – Resting gives juices time to redistribute for juicy meat.

Pair with Complementary Side Dishes

Some tasty side dishes that pair deliciously with roasted turkey legs include:

• Roasted or mashed potatoes
• Hearty breads like sourdough or corn bread
• Fall vegetables like roasted Brussels sprouts or glazed carrots
• Stuffing or dressing
• Cranberry sauce
• Gravy or savory pan sauces

With so many wonderful sides, turkey legs can make for a satisfying mini roast turkey style meal. Just adjust baking times as needed based on size. For the juiciest meat and crispiest skin, follow the tips above for roasting and resting. Soon you’ll master how long to bake turkey legs to absolute perfection.