Description
The best easy oven roasted turkey legs with just a few simple steps for flavorful, juicy turkey with crisp, golden skin!
Ingredients
- 3 turkey legs (between 2-3 lbs)*
- 4-5 Tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons fresh or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons fresh or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic or 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste (divided)
- 1/2 cup thick onion slices
- 1/2 cup water or broth, or as needed
- 1 small lemon, zest and juice (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a small bowl, mix together the butter, thyme, rosemary, garlic, smoked paprika, pepper, salt, and black pepper to make the herb butter. Set aside.
- Pat the turkey legs dry with a paper towel, then season with salt and pepper. Rub the herb butter under the skin and over the meat. Add lemon zest and juice on top. Place the turkey legs in a roasting pan along with the onion slices, then pour the broth into the pan.
- Roast uncovered for 30-45 minutes. Then, loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning, and continue roasting the turkey legs for an additional 40-45 minutes*, or until the internal temperature reaches 180°F (74°C) as measured with a meat thermometer. For even cooking, rotate the turkey legs halfway through the roasting time. Baste occasionally with the juices or melted butter and add more water or broth if needed.
- Remove the foil and set the oven to broil at 500°F (see notes). Broil the turkey legs for 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Notes
Prep Tips – Let the turkey legs sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking (helps them cook more evenly and stay juicy).
Baking Tips – Broiling in a glass or ceramic baking dish is not recommended. If you don’t have a roasting pan, transfer the turkey legs to a foil-lined baking sheet before broiling. Use a meat thermometer and aim for the thickest part of the leg. Total roast time will vary depending on the weight of the turkey legs/drumsticks. Smaller drumsticks may be done in around 1.5 hours, while larger ones could take up to 2 hours. Turkey legs are best done at 180°F—while 165°F is safe, 180°F makes the dark meat more tender and flavorful.
Serving Tips – Allow rest time, by giving the turkey legs 5-10 minutes to rest after they’re out of the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 70-80 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10- 12 ounce drumstick with skin
- Calories: 507
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 452.6 mg
- Fat: 31.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 12.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.1 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 56.8 g
- Cholesterol: 262.9 mg
