Forget the whole turkey this holiday season. Make these super tender and juicy flavorful roasted turkey legs with crispy skin instead! They’re a game changer y’all. Infused with a blend of robust spices and rubbed down with rich butter, they bake up to tender perfection. Impress your fam this holiday season, and get into this turkey legs recipe boos!
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I sometimes hear from my followers that they need a more low-key option for holiday celebrations. Sometimes baking a whole turkey just ain’t it! You need to make it a bit less fussy, and these roasted turkey legs are just the ticket boos. Whether you’re making them for a small Thanksgiving gathering or serving them up for Sunday Supper, they hit right every single time.
The Lowdown of This
Cuisine Inspiration: Southern American Vibes
Primary Cooking Method: Roasting
Dietary Info: Gluten-Free
Key Flavor: Perfectly Spiced, Savory, Tender, and Beyond Juicy
Skill Level: Easy y’all (No Sweat Fam!)
Flavorful, Juicy and Beyond Tender
With a finger-licking spice blend of paprika, chili, cumin, and cayenne pepper, this turkey leg recipe has a unique kick that will have spice lovers licking their fingers. Plus they are slow-roasted to perfection resulting in irresistibly tender and juicy meat with crispy skin.
Easy Peasy Boos!
We keep it no-fuss around these parts with simple pantry ingredients and clear, step-by-step instructions that end up making this recipe super accessible for cooks of all levels.
One-Pan Clean Up!
This recipe requires just one roasting pan, making cleanup a breeze boos! That means you can spend less time washing dishes and more time eating what you created!
Ingredients To Make Roasted Turkey Legs
- Turkey Legs: These babies are gonna offer you that juicy tender magic in a hand held package. Buy them with the skin on at your local grocery store. They also sometimes come packed as whole turkey leg quarters instead of just the turkey drumsticks.
- Celery & Onion: These give some aromatic essence to that turkey meat.
- Turkey Stock: This flavor intensified liquid is going to make sure those turkey drumsticks stay juicy so they don’t dry out during the baking period.
- Unsalted Butter: Nothing gives richness like this boos! It also helps those seasonings stick to the meat.
- Seasoning mix: I use a bomb combo of paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, sugar, salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Most of which you likely have on hand in your pantry already.
How To Cook Turkey Legs
How to serve oven baked turkey legs
- Southern Fried Favorites: Serve these legs with fried onion rings, fried pickles, and fried okra for a fun unexpected Southern vibes menu.
- Delish Side Dishes: This turkey drumstick recipe is perfect served with delish decadent sides like mashed sweet potatoes, Southern green beans recipe, or creamed corn.
- Slow cooker & pasta sides: Get the party going with slow cooker mac and cheese, brown butter pasta, or butternut squash ravioli.
Recipe Substitutions
- Paprika: Smoked paprika can be used for an added smoky depth.
- Chili Powder: Ancho chili powder is a great sub if you’re looking for a milder, sweeter profile.
- Granulated Sugar: Homemade brown sugar will add a kick of molasses to the mix.
- Turkey Stock: Use chicken stock if you don’t have any around. Even make your own chicken stock for even more bomb flavor in the mix.
- Unsalted Butter: Olive oil or melted ghee can be used for a different flavor profile.
Recipe Variations and Additions
- Freshen it Up: Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage can add a fragrant and earthy essence.
- Brighten It Up!: Lemon or orange zest can give a refreshing bright kick to the mix.
- Add Veggies: Add carrots, potatoes, or Brussels sprouts to the roasting pan for a complete meal so you don’t have to make individual sides!
- Glaze Vibes: A balsamic glaze or honey mustard can be brushed to add sweetness and some bomb flavor y’all.
- Spice It Up: For those who enjoy a little extra heat, toss in more cayenne or a dash of hot sauce.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Store Leftover Seasoning: Store mixed seasoning in an airtight container or an emptied seasoning container (like an empty garlic powder container, for example) to sprinkle on chicken, veggies and anything else.
- Chill Out: Allow your turkey to rest after baking so the meat reabsorbs those bomb juices keeping it all juicy.
- Browning Too Fast? If your turkey legs are browning too quickly, loosely cover the baking dish with foil will help prevent further browning.
- Get Crispy: The key to crispy skin is in making sure those legs are dried super well before dressing them with butter and seasonings.
How to Store and Reheat Roasted Turkey Legs
Once the baked turkey legs have cooled to room temp, wrap them individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Place them in an airtight container and pop in the fridge.
When you want to reheat, add turkey legs in a baking dish, cover with aluminum foil and heat for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through in a 325°F (163°C) oven. If frozen, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. If you want a super no-fuss way to reheat, pop in the microwave with a damp paper towel on top and reheat for 1 minute intervals.
How long will this turkey leg recipe last in the fridge?
They will last in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Can I freeze baked turkey drumsticks?
Absolutely boos! Wrap each leg securely in aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Be sure to squeeze out any excess air to maintain freshness. They should keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
The turkey legs are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure they are cooked to perfection. Also here’s a visual cue! When the juices of your oven roasted turkey legs run clear, they are usually good to go!
For sure boos! In fact I suggest prepping ahead the night before so you can marinate the turkey legs and get those flavors to truly penetrate resulting in even more flavorful and delicious meat!
For sure boos! Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (180°C), and cook the turkey legs for about 40-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Be sure to turn them halfway through for even cooking!
Y’all this roasted turkey legs recipe is brimming with flavor, warmth, and a sprinkle of bomb Southern charm. Whether you serve it up for Thanksgiving, your next holiday gathering or just a plain ole family dinner, these will hit the spot every time.
More turkey recipes
- BBQ Meatballs (Made with Ground Turkey!)
- Ground Turkey Empanada Recipe (Ground Turkey Recipes)
- Brown Sugar Baked Turkey Bacon
- Fried Turkey Recipe (How To Fry Turkey)
Roasted Turkey Legs
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Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Paprika
- 2 tablespoons Chili powder
- 2 tablespoons Ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons Ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon Dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon Cayenne pepper
- 3 snack size Celery sticks
- 6 Onion slices
- 6 Turkey Legs
- 1 cup Turkey stock or chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- Add all the seasonings in a small bowl. Whisk until combined. Cut celery sticks once the long way and then cut again down the middle so that you have 4 small sticks. Use a knife to cut 2-3 slits in each turkey leg. Cut the slits so that small pieces of celery and onion can fit inside. Then alternate adding celery and onion in the slits. Pat the turkey leg with a paper towel to make sure they are very dry.
- Place the turkey legs in a roasting pan. Melt butter in a small bowl. Rub each turkey leg with butter then liberally rub the spice mixture all over your turkey legs and really get under the skin as much as possible. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours letting that spice really get into the turkey.
- When ready to roast, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove turkey legs from the fridge and bring to room temperature. Pour the stock in the pan and put any remaining celery and onion in the pan as well. Cover with foil and let it cook for 1 hour and 20 minutes, basting every 20 minutes with a baster or deep spoon that can scoop up the liquid.
- Remove legs and check that internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove the foil and put the oven on broil for just a few seconds to watch until it gets to the color you prefer then remove.
- Place the foil back on once you remove the legs from the oven and rest for 15 minutes covered then serve.
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Dark meat and turkey legs are my favorite! I will be making these very soon they look so deelicious. Thank you!
This is such a great idea as turkey legs have such great flavour and are so economical to buy. Those flavours are amazing!
WOW! These roasted legs look so perfect, that I am drooling., I can’t wait to try your recipe. thanks for sharing.
I often find white turkey meat to be pretty dry, and will not have it without tons of gravy. Dark meat on the other hand is so delicious. I can’t wait to try the turkey legs!
Legs are my favourite part of a turkey. I can’t wait to give this recipe a try- it looks so delicious!