Easy Roasted Turkey Legs – tender and juicy turkey for lovers of dark meat! This perfectly seasoned oven-roasted turkey leg recipe is a great alternative to roasting an entire turkey. And as anyone who has tried a juicy turkey leg at Disney World can attest, they are absolutely delicious.
I am a firm believer that Roast Turkey is not just for Christmas and Thanksgiving family dinners! In fact, I’d argue that this easy dinner works any time of the year and family members will be thrilled with the results.
But cooking the whole bird can be a real challenge, which is why I was excited to discover giant turkey legs for sale at my local supermarket recently.
A whole turkey leg easily feeds four to six and is super economical, perfect for small Thanksgiving gatherings or any small holiday dinner, rather than breaking out a big bird. Even better? You will be amazed how incredibly easy it is to prepare!
Forget brining, basting and getting hot and bothered about roasting the perfect turkey! These tender turkey legs are a great option if you are serving a smaller group of dark meat lovers.
PS: If you prefer white meat, check out my easy Roast Turkey Crown recipe! For a quick alternative to whole roast turkey, take a look at my Turkey Roll Recipe.
Turkey legs are a delicious treat that can be enjoyed year-round, not just at Thanksgiving With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make succulent oven-baked turkey legs right at home In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make tender, juicy turkey legs in the oven.
Ingredients Needed
To make oven-baked turkey legs you’ll need
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Turkey drumsticks – Look for large, skin-on drumsticks for the best results. Plan on 1 drumstick per person
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Olive oil – Use just enough to lightly coat the turkey legs.
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Herbs and spices – Poultry seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper work very well.
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Onions and peppers (optional) – Sliced onions and bell peppers add flavor and moisture when roasted under the turkey.
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Butter or oil – Melted butter or oil helps the spices stick to the turkey skin.
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Foil – Covering the turkey legs while they cook keeps them from drying out.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for oven-baked turkey legs:
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Preheat the oven to 300°F. The low temperature ensures the turkey cooks slowly for maximum juiciness.
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Prep a baking dish. Cover a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. For extra flavor, scatter sliced onions and bell peppers on the foil.
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Pat the turkey legs dry and brush with olive oil. Make sure to coat both sides.
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Season the turkey legs on all sides with your choice of herbs and spices. Rub the seasonings into the skin.
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Brush with melted butter or oil. This helps the seasonings adhere to the skin.
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Arrange legs in the baking dish. If using veggies, nestle the legs among the onion and pepper slices.
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Roast uncovered for 15 minutes at 300°F. This initial roasting lets the skin get crispy.
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Flip legs and roast 15 minutes more. The turkey will cook more evenly if you flip the legs halfway through.
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Cover legs loosely with foil. Tent loosely so steam can escape. Preventing the turkey legs from drying out is key.
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Finish roasting 30-60 minutes more, until the juices run clear and a meat thermometer reads 165°F. The thickness of the legs affects cooking time.
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Let legs rest 10 minutes before digging in. This allows the juices to reabsorb for maximum moisture.
Cooking Tips
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For extra juicy turkey, rub legs with a mixture of olive oil, salt, brown sugar, and spices before roasting. The brown sugar helps retain moisture.
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If the turkey legs aren’t quite done after 30 more minutes of covered roasting, simply bake until they reach the proper internal temperature.
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Watch carefully near the end to prevent overcooking. Overcooked turkey dries out quickly.
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Letting the cooked legs rest before serving allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
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Roasting uncovered for the last 10-15 minutes crisps up the skin beautifully.
Serving Suggestions
Oven-baked turkey legs deserve some tasty accompaniments. Here are some ideas:
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Roasted autumn vegetables – Toss carrots, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, etc with olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting.
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Cranberry sauce – The classic tart-sweet pairing for turkey.
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Gravy – Make extra flavorful gravy from the turkey pan drippings.
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Mashed potatoes or dressing – What’s turkey without these tasty sides?
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Coleslaw or potato salad – Crunchy, creamy flavors complement the savory turkey.
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Baked mac and cheese – A comfort food favorite alongside juicy turkey legs.
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Dinner rolls – Soft, warm rolls are perfect for sopping up turkey juices.
With minimal effort, you can make ridiculously delicious oven-baked turkey legs right at home. Just remember to roast them gently at a low temperature, season generously, and let them rest before serving. Enjoy these juicy turkey legs on their own or pair them with your favorite holiday trimmings.
Here’s what you will need
- Turkey legs – my 1.6 kg (3 ½ pound) turkey leg came sliced into leg and thigh portions
- Olive oil
- Seasoning rub – salt, pepper, sugar, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, oregano, dried parsley and lemon zest
- Onions, rosemary sprigs and lemons – these provide a trivet for the turkey legs to cook on
- Digital thermometer
- A good carving set
How To Roast Turkey Legs
Full measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page. Please take a look at the steps and video before attempting this recipe!
STEP 1: Rub the turkey with olive oil. Combine all the ingredients for the rub and then sprinkle liberally over the turkey on both sides.
STEP 2: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a roasting tin with baking paper or foil and spread the onion, rosemary and lemon slices over it.
STEP 3: Place the turkey leg on top, skin side down and roast in your preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn the legs over, skin side up, and continue to cook for a further 40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 75°C (167°F). This method is a great way to achieve the perfect mix of crispy skin and succulent, juicy meat.
STEP 4: Rest the turkey, loosely covered with aluminum foil, for 20-30 minutes. Slice and serve as your main dish with your favorite sides!
Oven Baked Smoked Turkey Legs/Drums
FAQ
Should I wrap my turkey legs in foil?
Why are my baked turkey legs tough?
How do you keep turkey legs from drying out?
What temperature should a turkey leg be cooked to?
How do you cook turkey legs in the oven?
Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Pat dry the turkey legs with paper towels. Prep Turkey: Whisk the melted butter with the salt, garlic powder and pepper. Generously brush the butter mixture all around the turkey legs. Transfer To Oven: Transfer the turkey legs to a greased baking pan, skin side down and transfer to the preheated oven.
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.
How do you cook a turkey leg in a tin?
Preheat the oven to 180C (350F). Line a roasting tin with baking paper or foil and spread the onion, rosemary and lemon slices over it. Place the turkey leg on top, skin side down and roast for 30 minutes. Turn the legs over, skin side up, and continue to cook for a further 40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 75°C (167°F).
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.