Where Can I Buy Turkey Legs? A Guide to Finding and Cooking This Hearty Favorite

Turkey legs, sometimes called turkey drumsticks, are a beloved snack or meal for many. Their large size, tasty dark meat, and fun, hand-held shape make them a hit at summer barbecues, theme parks, state fairs, and Thanksgiving feasts alike. But where can you buy turkey legs to enjoy at home? This guide will overview the best places to purchase turkey legs, how to prepare them, and some creative recipes to try with this protein-packed poultry pick.

Purchasing Turkey Legs at the Grocery Store

For fresh, high-quality turkey legs available year-round, check the poultry section at your local supermarket Brands like Honeysuckle White offer package sizes ranging from individual turkey legs to larger family packs You can expect to pay around $1.67 per pound. Make sure to check expiration dates and pick turkey legs with skin that looks fresh, not dried out. Refrigerate promptly and use within 2-3 days for best flavor.

Many grocers also stock frozen turkey legs for longer storage. They are often sold in bulk quantities like a 30-pound case. Prices may be slightly lower than fresh around $1.50 per pound. Allow frozen legs to thaw gradually over 24 hours in the fridge before cooking.

When browsing the turkey leg options, opt for antibiotic-free, hormone-free, and preservative-free whenever possible. Natural and organic brands like Honeysuckle White meet this criteria. Plus, their turkeys are specifically raised for flavorful meat rather than fast growth.

Ordering Turkey Legs Online for Delivery or Pickup

Another convenient way to buy turkey legs is using grocery delivery apps and services. With Instacart or direct delivery from stores like Farmers Fresh Meat, turkey legs can be shipped straight to your doorstep. Prices are similar to in-store. You can order exactly how many turkey legs you need, even just 2-4 for a small dinner.

Online shopping lets you browse turkey legs and compare selections across retailers in one place. Search filters and tags make it easy to find antibiotic-free, organic, kosher, halal, or other specialty turkey legs. Build an entire meal by adding sides, seasonings, and other items to your virtual cart. Scheduling delivery in advance is helpful for planning meals and events.

Many physical grocery stores enable online ordering for in-store pickup too. Walmart, Albertson’s, Kroger, and more allow you to reserve turkey legs online to grab at your preferred location later. No waiting around for them to be in stock!

Visiting a Local Butcher Shop or Meat Market

In addition to big supermarkets, consider checking smaller neighborhood butchers and meat markets to buy turkey legs. These specialty stores are a great spot to find high-quality poultry sourced from local farms. You can custom order the specific quantity of drumsticks needed.

Butchers are very knowledgeable about their meat selection and can recommend the best turkey legs for your intended recipe. Feel free to ask questions about sourcing, freshness, sizing, and other factors. Many local butchers will even season or marinate turkey legs to order. Shop small to support independent businesses in your community.

Grilling Juicy, Flavorful Turkey Legs

Once you have your turkey legs, it’s time for the fun part – cooking and eating! Grilling is one of the most popular and delicious preparation methods. The high heat helps render fat and crisp the skin. Barbecuing brings out great savory, smoky flavors.

Before grilling, pat turkey legs dry and coat liberally with oil or dry rub. Brown them slowly over indirect medium heat with the lid closed for 15-25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Baste occasionally with sauce for added moisture and flavor. Move them directly over the fire at the end to finish crisping the skin.

Grilled turkey legs pair fantastically with homemade barbecue sauce or chimichurri. Add a dash of spice with chili powder, garlic, paprika, cayenne and more. For easy cleanup, place legs in a foil pouch or grill basket. Let rest 5 minutes before digging in!

Oven Roasted Turkey Legs for Lower-Fat Cooking

Roasting creates deliciously tender and juicy turkey legs in the convenience of your kitchen oven. Place thawed legs on a sheet pan lined with foil or parchment paper. Brush with oil or dry rub seasonings. Roast at 400°F for about 1 hour, rotating halfway through, until cooked through.

To amp up flavor, try roasting with citrus slices, fresh herbs, chopped garlic or onion. Baste turkey legs with reduced-fat liquids like chicken broth or apple cider vinegar instead of oils. Roasted turkey legs make excellent leftovers for sandwiches, salads, soups, and casseroles.

Slow Cook or Instant Pot Turkey Legs for Hands-Off Meals

For the easiest preparation, cook turkey legs in a slow cooker or pressure cooker like the Instant Pot. Place seasoned drumsticks in the pot with 1 cup broth or water. Slow cook on low for 6-8 hours until fall-off-the-bone tender. Or pressure cook for only 35-40 minutes!

Slow cooking and pressure cooking infuse turkey legs with lots of moisture and flavor. The meat shreds easily for sandwiches, tacos, casseroles, and more. To thicken the cooking liquid into a sauce, stir in a roux, cream cheese, or cornstarch mixture.

Inventive Ways to Use Leftover Turkey Legs

Like pulled pork, shredded turkey leg meat has endless versatility beyond the initial meal. Get creative with the leftovers! Enjoy on salads, omelets, pasta, pizza, sliders, soups, and nachos. Use it in casseroles, pot pies, enchiladas, stuffing, sandwiches, and burritos. Or keep snack-ready portions on hand for quick protein.

When reheating shredded turkey legs, add extra moisture with broth or sauce to prevent dryness. You can also freeze leftovers in portion sizes for future use. Turkey legs offer much more than a single impressive dinner!

Satisfying and Nutritious Turkey Leg Recipes to Try at Home

Take your turkey legs beyond basic with these creative recipes:

• Beer Braised Turkey Legs – Simmer with beer, onion, garlic, and spices for amazingly tender meat.

• Buffalo Turkey Legs – Roast turkey legs coated in spicy buffalo wing sauce and blue cheese dressing.

• Thai Turkey Legs – Marinate drumsticks in a blend of lime, fish sauce, ginger and Thai chili paste. Grill and garnish with cilantro and peanuts.

• Turkey Leg Pot Pie – Make a creamy sauce from the turkey leg broth to fill a hearty pie layered with veggies and shredded turkey meat.

• Southwestern Turkey Legs – Rub legs with chili powder, cumin and garlic then bake with peppers, onions, black beans and corn. Top with avocado.

With 22 grams of protein per serving, turkey legs are truly nutritious as well as tasty. They contain high amounts of iron, zinc, and B vitamins compared to other poultry cuts. When buying turkey legs, opting for antibiotic-free and organic provides the healthiest options.

In Summary

From the grocery store to the grill, turkey legs are a versatile and delicious staple. Use this guide to locate and prepare turkey drumsticks for your next hearty meal or snack. With numerous cooking methods and endless recipe possibilities, turkey legs are fun to get creative with while packing in protein and nutrients. Just follow the helpful tips above to enjoy juicy, flavorful turkey legs anytime. Happy grilling, roasting, instant potting and more!