How Long to Bake Turkey Thighs at 350°F for Juicy, Tender Meat

Cooking turkey thighs in the oven at 350°F produces incredibly moist, tender meat when done right. But nailing the bake time is key to achieving the perfect texture and taste. Undercook them and you risk foodborne illness. Overcook them and you’ll end up with dry, stringy turkey.

So how long should you bake turkey thighs at 350°F? Read on for a complete guide with timing, tips, tricks, and recipes to help you bake foolproof turkey thighs every time.

Turkey Thigh Basics

Turkey thighs are an underrated cut that deserves more love They contain more fat than the lean breast meat, keeping them ultra-moist during cooking The high collagen content also makes the meat fall-off-the-bone tender.

Compared to chicken thighs, turkey thighs have a less pronounced flavor. But they still offer richer, deeper flavor notes than turkey breast.

Turkey thighs come either bone-in or boneless Bone-in thighs take longer to cook but reward you with more flavor Boneless thighs shorten the bake time.

No matter which you choose, proper seasoning boosts flavor. A simple rub of salt, pepper and herbs does the trick. For more oomph, try a wet marinade or brine before roasting.

How Long to Bake Bone-In Turkey Thighs

For bone-in turkey thighs, it takes:

• 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes for 4-8 thighs
• 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes for 8-12 thighs

These times are for thighs that weigh 4-8 ounces each. The total cook time rises as the amount and size of the thighs increases.

Always use an instant-read meat thermometer to confirm doneness instead of relying solely on bake times. Insert the probe into the thickest part of a thigh, taking care not to hit bone. Turkey thighs are safely cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.

How Long to Bake Boneless Turkey Thighs

Boneless turkey thighs bake faster than bone-in. Plan on:

• 50-70 minutes for 4-6 thighs
• 60-90 minutes for 6-10 thighs

Again, these times are based on average 4-8 ounce thighs. Larger thighs will need a longer bake. And check temperature with a meat thermometer, not just time. 165°F internal temp = safe to eat.

Tips for Moist, Flavorful Turkey Thighs

Follow these tips for the most delicious oven-baked turkey thighs every time:

• Brine or marinate: Soaking turkey thighs in a salty brine or flavorful marinade before baking infuses them with moisture and flavor.

• Pat skin dry: Patting the skin with paper towels draws out excess moisture for crisper skin. Avoid soggy skin.

• Use a rack: Placing thighs on a rack over a baking sheet improves air circulation for even cooking.

• Start skin-side down: Putting thighs skin-side down first lets fat render from the skin for a crispier finish.

• Flip halfway: Flipping the thighs at the halfway mark evens out browning.

• Bake at moderate temp: 350°F prevents overcooking and drying out the lean meat.

• Let rest before slicing: Allowing the thighs to rest seals in the juices for moister meat.

Oven-Baked Turkey Thigh Recipes

Ready to bake up deliciously juicy turkey thighs? Try one of these tasty roasted turkey thigh recipes.

Simple Roasted Turkey Thighs

Ingredients:

• 4-6 bone-in turkey thighs (4-8 oz each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions:

1. Pat turkey thighs dry with paper towels. Rub evenly with oil and sprinkle with seasonings.

2. Arrange thighs skin-side down on a rack set over a rimmed baking sheet.

3. Roast at 350°F for 30 minutes. Flip thighs and roast 30 minutes longer.

4. Increase temperature to 400°F and roast 10-15 minutes until skin is browned and crispy and thighs reach 165°F.

5. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Maple Dijon Roasted Turkey Thighs

Ingredients:

• 6 bone-in turkey thighs (4-8 oz each)
• 1⁄4 cup Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1⁄2 teaspoon each salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together mustard, maple syrup, garlic, salt and pepper.

2. Place thighs in a large zip-top bag. Pour in maple mustard mixture, remove air and seal. Massage to evenly coat. Refrigerate 1-2 hours.

3. Roast thighs on a rack over a baking sheet at 350°F for 50-60 minutes until 165°F.

4. Broil 3-5 minutes to caramelize exterior. Let rest before serving.

Pesto-Stuffed Turkey Thighs

Ingredients:

• 6 boneless turkey thighs
• 1⁄3 cup prepared pesto
• 3 oz mozzarella, sliced
• 1⁄4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Pat turkey thighs dry and open flat. Spread pesto over surface, leaving a 1-inch border. Top with mozzarella slices.

2. Starting at narrow end, tightly roll up each thigh. Secure rolls closed with toothpicks.

3. In a small bowl, combine panko, oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

4. Place stuffed thighs seam-side down in baking dish. Brush with oil then coat with panko mixture, pressing to adhere.

5. Bake 60-75 minutes until 165°F. Remove toothpicks before serving.

Get the Perfect Turkey Thighs Every Time

Baking turkey thighs at 350°F delivers reliably moist, tender meat when you follow a few simple guidelines. Allow 1- 1 1⁄2 hours for bone-in thighs and 50-90 minutes for boneless. But always check temperature instead of just timing.

For the best flavor and texture, brine or marinate the thighs first and bake them on a rack over a pan. Starting skin-side down then flipping halfway through ensures even cooking. And letting the thighs rest after baking locks in juices.

With these tips and oven-ready recipes, you can serve up flawless roasted turkey thighs worth raving about!