Easy Roasted Turkey Legs – tender and juicy turkey for lovers of dark meat! These perfectly seasoned oven-roasted turkey legs are a great alternative to roasting a whole turkey.
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I am a firm believer that Roast Turkey is not just for Christmas and Thanksgiving! I was rather excited to discover giant turkey legs for sale at my local supermarket recently.
A whole turkey leg easily feeds four to six and is super economical too. Even better? You will be amazed how incredibly easy it is to prepare!
Forget brining, basting and getting hot and bothered about roasting the perfect turkey! Roast turkey legs are a great option if you are serving a smaller group of dark meat lovers.
PS: If you prefer white meat, check out my easy Roast Turkey Crown recipe!
Here’s what you will need
- Turkey leg (s) – my 1.6 kg (3 ½ pound) turkey leg came sliced into leg and thigh portions
- Olive oil
- Seasoning rub – salt, pepper, sugar, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, oregano, dried parsley and lemon zest
- Onions, rosemary sprigs and lemons – these provide a bed for the turkey legs to cook on
- Digital thermometer
- A good carving set
How To Roast Turkey Legs
Full measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page. Please take a look at the steps and video before attempting this recipe!
Rub the turkey with olive oil. Combine all the ingredients for the rub and then sprinkle liberally over the turkey on both sides.
Prehea the oven to 180C (350F). Line a roasting tin with baking paper or foil and spread the onion, rosemary and lemon slices over it.
Place the turkey leg on top, skin side down and roast for 30 minutes. Turn the legs over, skin side up, and continue to cook for a further 40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 75°C (167°F).
Rest the turkey, loosely covered with foil, for 20-30 minutes. Slice and serve with your favourite sides!
How Do I Know My Turkey Legs Are Done?
The best – and safest! – way to tell when your turkey legs are cooked to perfection is to check the temperature using a digital thermometer.
Insert the probe in the thickest part of the leg, avoiding the bone, and check it has reached a minimum of 75°C (167°F). The juices should run clear – another indicator that the turkey is cooked.
Roasting times will vary depending on the size of the turkey legs and the efficiency of your oven so do check earlier if you are cooking smaller turkey legs.
Perfectly juicy turkey
Rest the turkey legs before serving to allow the meat fibres to relax and juices to redistribute. If you carve the turkey immediately the meat will be tough!
Serving suggestions
Serve your roast turkey legs with your favourite sides or a simple green salad! Here are some suggestions
- Lazy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
- Keto Brussels Sprouts – Creamy Sprouts With Bacon
- Best Greek Lemon Potatoes
- Perfectly Fluffy Dinner Rolls
Turkey Leftovers
Keep any leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. Leftover dark turkey meat is great in soups, curries, pies and pasta!
- Easy Leftover Turkey Pie
- Leftover Turkey Casserole
- Leftover Turkey Soup – Ready in 30 Minutes!
- Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta
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Easy Roasted Turkey Legs
Ingredients
Seasoning
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- ½ tbsp garlic powder
- ½ tbsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 1 lemon , zest only
For the turkey
- 1.6 kg 3 ½ pounds turkey leg and thigh portions
- 3 tbsp olive oil , or as needed
- 1 lemon , sliced into rounds (use the zested lemon)
- 1 red onion , sliced into rounds
- Few sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Rub the turkey with olive oil. Combine all the ingredients for the rub and then sprinkle liberally over the turkey on both sides.
- Preheat the oven to 180C (350F). Line a roasting tin with baking paper or foil and spread the onion, rosemary and lemon slices over it.
- Place the turkey leg on top, skin side down and roast for 30 minutes.
- Turn the legs over, skin side up, and continue to cook for a further 40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 75°C (167°F).
- Rest the turkey, loosely covered with foil, for 20-30 minutes. Slice and serve!
Notes
The best – and safest! – way to tell when your turkey legs are cooked to perfection is to check the temperature using a digital thermometer. Insert the probe in the thickest part of the leg, avoiding the bone, and check it has reached a minimum of 75°C (167°F). The juices should run clear – another indicator that the turkey is cooked. Roasting times will vary depending on the size of the turkey legs and the efficiency of your oven so do check earlier if you are cooking smaller turkey legs.
Stanley M Weinberg says
Really delicious method for a turkey meal. Using the drippings and fat made a delicious gravy too. I roasted a 1.25 lb leg and it took 2 1/4 hours to cook. (It was still pink at 1 1/2 hours)