Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 234 votes

Roasted Turkey Legs

Roasted turkey legs are so delicious and satisfying! Baking them at a high temperature ensures crispy skin and juicy meat.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
10 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 432 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • Avocado oil spray
  • 4 turkey legs medium-sized, bone-in, skin-on, about 10 ounces each; see notes
  • ¼ cup butter melted
Seasoning mix:
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup, fit it with a rack, and spray the rack with avocado oil.
  2. Pat the turkey legs dry with paper towels. Brush them all over with melted butter and rub them with the seasoning mix. Place them on the roasting rack and lightly spray them with avocado oil.
  3. Place the turkey in the oven. Roast it, uncovered, for 20 minutes, until the skin is browned.
  4. Loosely cover the turkey with foil to avoid scorching the top, and continue roasting until the juices run clear when pierced with a fork and an instant-read thermometer not touching the bone registers 160°F, about 30 more minutes.
  5. Remove the turkey drumsticks from the oven and allow them to rest, still covered in foil, for 10 minutes before serving. Do not skip this step - it will enable the internal temperature to climb and the juices to redistribute and settle. 

Notes

  • Roasting time:
  • You'll need to adjust the oven temperature and time to the size of the turkey pieces.
  • The method of roasting for a short time at a high temperature is perfect for medium legs weighing about 10 ounces each. If yours are much bigger - around a pound each - bake them for longer at a lower temperature.
  • Legs weighing 1 pound should be baked in a 350°F oven for at least 90 minutes and up to two hours. Cover them loosely with foil once the tops are deeply browned, which should happen after 60-75 minutes.
  • Always check with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the leg and not touching the bone to ensure the internal temperature has reached 160°F. After a 10-minute rest, it should climb to 165°F.
  • Leftovers:
  • You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently in the microwave at 50% power, or enjoy them cold.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1turkey leg Calories 432kcal (22%) Protein 56g (112%) Fat 21g (32%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Sodium 555mg (23%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 432

% Daily Value*

Serving 1turkey leg
Calories 432kcal 22%
Protein 56g 112%
Fat 21g 32%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Sodium 555mg 23%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.