Roasted Turkey Legs
Savor the taste of Thanksgiving any time of year with these succulent roasted turkey legs. A simple yet satisfying dish, perfect for a smaller gathering or when you crave that classic holiday flavor without the fuss of a whole bird.
Nutrition
-
Carbohydrate
1 g
-
Cholesterol
287 mg
-
Fiber
1 g
-
Protein
48 g
-
Saturated Fat
19 g
-
Sodium
602 mg
-
Sugar
1 g
-
Fat
40 g
-
Unsaturated Fat
0 g
DIRECTIONS
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01 Step
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). (5 minutes)
02 Step
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Rinse the turkey legs and pat them dry with paper towels. (2 minutes)
03 Step
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Stand the turkey legs upright. Using a sharp knife, create 2-3 deep pockets in each leg by pressing the knife downward into the thickest part of the meat. (5 minutes)
04 Step
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Insert a piece of celery into each pocket. (3 minutes)
05 Step
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Gently loosen the skin on each leg. Rub approximately half of the butter (3 tablespoons) under the skin and season with a little salt. Smooth the skin back into place. (5 minutes)
06 Step
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Rub the remaining butter (3 tablespoons) over the skin of the turkey legs and season lightly with salt. (3 minutes)
07 Step
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Place the turkey legs in a roasting pan and pour in the water. (2 minutes)
08 Step
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Roast uncovered for approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until the legs are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) when measured with a meat thermometer. (90-120 minutes)
09 Step
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During roasting, add more water to the pan if needed to prevent it from drying out. Baste the turkey legs occasionally with the pan juices or melted butter for extra flavor and moisture. (Every 20 minutes)
For extra flavor, consider adding herbs like rosemary or thyme to the butter before rubbing it on the turkey legs.
Basting the turkey legs every 20-30 minutes helps to keep them moist and develop a rich, golden-brown color.
If the turkey legs are browning too quickly, tent them loosely with aluminum foil during the last part of the roasting time.
Let the turkey legs rest for 10-15 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful result.
Serve with your favorite Thanksgiving sides, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
RECIPE REVIEWS
Avarage Rating:
4.7/ 5 ( 108 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (6)
Ramon Simonismurray
Jun 6, 2025The celery adds a subtle but delicious flavor to the turkey legs." - Emily L.
Luther Waelchi
May 28, 2025The basting really made a difference in the moisture of the turkey. Great recipe!" - Jessica P.
Alec Heller
May 4, 2025I doubled the recipe for a family dinner, and everyone loved it!" - John B.
Bobbie Homenick
Sep 15, 2024I used garlic powder in addition to salt and pepper, and it was amazing!" - David K.
Itzel Beatty
Jun 12, 2024I added some carrots and onions to the roasting pan for extra flavor." - Michael S.
Taryn Swaniawski
Jan 7, 2024This recipe was so easy to follow, and the turkey legs came out perfectly!" - Sarah M.