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Home / Recipes
1 hour 35 minutes
4.08 from 25 votes
3 Comments

Easy Roasted Turkey Legs

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by: Joanna Cismaru
11.25.20
Updated: 11.25.20

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pin for roasted turkey legs.

These Easy Roasted Turkey Legs are the perfect alternative to roasting an entire turkey! Made with only 3 simple ingredients, this recipe is no fuss, no muss and there’s no tricky carving required!

two turkey legs on a white platter garnished with rosemary and cranberries.

Juicy, tender turkey legs roasted to perfection! If you’re planning on having a small holiday dinner and don’t want to spend hours slaving away over a giant turkey, these easy roasted turkey legs are the perfect option! Requiring only 3 simple ingredients, this recipe will save you time and effort, all while still producing the same moist turkey we all know and love.

Why Make These Roasted Turkey Legs

  • Short, Simple Ingredient List
  • Individual Portions
  • Easy To Make
  • Juicy, Delicious Turkey With Minimal Effort

This recipe is perfect if you’re still craving turkey, but don’t feel like roasting an entire bird! Individual portions, no carving required, super juicy and delicious. Turkey legs are so underrated, especially if you’re a dark meat lover!

Ingredient Notes

overhead shot of ingredients needed to make turkey legs.
  • Turkey Legs – I used both thighs and drumsticks, whole! You can cut them if you want.
  • Butter – I opt for unsalted to control the sodium. Make sure it’s melted!
  • Seasoning – We are using a simple blend of garlic powder, salt and pepper. Feel free to play around with spices and herbs to make these your own!

How To Roast Turkey Legs

process shots showing how to roast turkey legs.
  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Pat dry the turkey legs with paper towels.
  2. Prep Turkey: Whisk the melted butter with the salt, garlic powder and pepper. Generously brush the butter mixture all around the turkey legs.
  3. Transfer To Oven: Transfer the turkey legs to a greased baking pan, skin side down and transfer to the preheated oven.
  4. Roast: Roast the turkey for 30 minutes, flip the legs so that the skin side is up and roast for another 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the internal temperature of the thighs reaches 170°F.
overhead shot of roasted turkey legs in a roasting pan.

FAQs & Expert Tips

FAQs

How Do I Know When My Turkey Legs Are Done?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again! The best way to know when your turkey is cooked, is with an instant meat thermometer! When the internal temperature of the thighs reaches 170°F, it’s done. Each oven is different, so keep in mind it can take longer or less time than specified.

Using Smaller Turkey Legs?

Depending on the size of your turkey legs, cook times may vary. Each of my turkey legs were over 2 lbs so they took a bit longer to cook. If your turkey legs are smaller in size, they may take less time. Start checking the temperature after 1 hour.

How To Serve

Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, these roasted turkey legs are a great option for a small dinner. This recipe makes about 6 servings, so choose your favorite sides and enjoy!

overhead shot of roasted turkey legs on a serving platter garnished with rosemary and cranberries.

Tips

  1. Get an instant meat thermometer! It is a life saver when it comes to cooking not only turkey, but any kind of meat.
  2. Feel free to play around with spices, sauces and herbs. If you’re looking for a flavorful, liquid gold sauce, check out my maple mustard turkey thighs.
  3. You can always cook more turkey legs if looking to serve more people.

Leftovers

Store leftover roasted turkey legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Freezing

You can also freeze your turkey legs! Stored in airtight container, they will last for 3 months frozen!

pouring gravy on a roasted turkey thigh.

More Great Recipes To Try

  • Slow Roast Leg of Lamb
  • Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken Legs
  • Duck Confit With Pickled Raisins
  • Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Leg of Lamb
  • Irish Lamb Stew
  • Maple Mustard Roasted Turkey Thighs

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two turkey legs on a white platter garnished with rosemary and cranberries.

Easy Roasted Turkey Legs

4.08 from 25 votes
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 1 hr 30 mins
Total: 1 hr 35 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 6
Print Pin Rate
These Easy Roasted Turkey Legs are the perfect alternative to roasting an entire turkey! Made with only 3 simple ingredients, this recipe is no fuss, no muss and there's no tricky carving required!

Equipment

  • Instant Read Meat Thermometer

Ingredients

  • 2 turkey legs thighs and drumsticks (4-5 lbs)
  • ¼ cup butter melted
  • ½ tsp salt or to taste
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp pepper or to taste
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • 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.
  • Roast: Roast the turkey for 30 minutes, flip the legs so that the skin side is up and roast for another 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the internal temperature of the thighs reaches 170°F.

Recipe Notes

  1. Get an instant meat thermometer! It is a life saver when it comes to cooking not only turkey, but any kind of meat.
  2. Feel free to play around with spices, sauces and herbs. If you’re looking for a flavorful, liquid gold sauce, check out my maple mustard turkey thighs.
  3. Store leftover roasted turkey legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
  4. You can also freeze your turkey legs! Stored in airtight container, they will last for 3 months frozen!

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1servingCalories: 477kcal (24%)Carbohydrates: 1gProtein: 55g (110%)Fat: 27g (42%)Saturated Fat: 11g (69%)Cholesterol: 221mg (74%)Sodium: 404mg (18%)Potassium: 777mg (22%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 245IU (5%)Calcium: 50mg (5%)Iron: 5mg (28%)
Course:Dinner
Cuisine:American
Keyword:roasted turkey legs, turkey drumsticks, turkey thighs
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. LAQUETA Joyce ARTIS says

    February 23, 2021 at 6:05 pm

    5 stars
    Juicy tender awesome

    Reply
  2. Catherine Caron says

    November 26, 2020 at 10:42 am

    I have been looking for an easy recipe for legs and thighs for a while. I love this one . Thank you so much. Happy Thanksgiving

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      November 26, 2020 at 10:44 am

      My pleasure!

      Reply

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Joanna Cismaru

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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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