Never enough turkey legs to go around at Thanksgiving? The Butcher Shop has you covered! Turkey legs are inexpensive and cook quickly, making them an easy addition to your whole bird – and guaranteeing no one has to fight for the last drumstick. Read on for everything you need to know to cook perfectly tender, golden-brown turkey legs for your Thanksgiving dinner.
Recipe for Thanksgiving Turkey Legs
Ingredients:
- 1–2 turkey legs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
- Optional: fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage
- Optional: ½ cup chicken or turkey broth for roasting
Directions:
1. Preheat and Prep
Set your oven to 350°F. Pat the turkey legs dry with paper towels.
2. Season Generously
Rub olive oil or melted butter all over the legs. Mix together your seasonings and sprinkle them evenly across the turkey legs. For extra Thanksgiving flavor, tuck fresh sage or rosemary under the skin or place the herbs in the roasting pan.
3. Add Moisture (Optional but Recommended)
Place the turkey legs in a roasting pan or baking dish. Pour about a ½ cup of broth into the bottom of the pan.
4. Roast Until Tender
Roast the turkey legs for 60–75 minutes, depending on their size. You’re aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the leg. To crisp the skin further, you can increase the oven temperature to 425°F for the last 10 minutes.
5. Rest and Serve
Let the legs rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Brine for extra juiciness: Soak the turkey legs in a simple brine for 4-6 hours before cooking to help the meat stay moist.
- Try a dry rub: Swap traditional seasonings for a Cajun, BBQ, or lemon-pepper dry rub blend.
- Slow cooker version: Season the turkey legs, then cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Finish in the oven at 425°F for crispy skin.
Thanksgiving Favorites Come from The Butcher Shop
Cooking turkey legs for Thanksgiving is an easy way to make sure everyone gets their favorite cut of meat. Whether you pick up raw turkey legs at The Butcher Shop to roast yourself or opt for our renowned smoked turkey legs, they’re sure to be crowd pleasers.
We’re still taking your last-minute Thanksgiving pre-orders on our all-natural, locally sourced turkey and other Thanksgiving proteins. You can also pick up farm-fresh produce, freshly baked loaves of bread, local beers and wines, and anything else you need for your holiday meal. Stop in or give us a call to pre-order your ingredients today.