Here is how to make insanely tasty and juicy Baked Turkey Drumsticks. It is super flavorful with the variety of herbs and spices used. The perfect tasty dinner to go with a variety of side dishes!.
This recipe for Baked Turkey Drumsticks is great for people who don’t want to make a whole turkey for Thanksgiving this year.
You know it doesn’t always have to be a full turkey. You could make turkey legs, turkey breasts, turkey drumsticks or turkey wings.
Serve these turkey drumsticks with your favorite side dishes for dinner, entertaining, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter!
For many home cooks, turkey legs are a deliciously easy way to enjoy moist, rich dark meat without roasting a whole bird. Sometimes called turkey drumsticks, these meaty legs offer incredible flavor and satisfaction. But to get the best results when cooking turkey legs in the oven, proper technique is key.
This comprehensive guide will teach you how long to bake turkey legs at 400°F for ideal doneness. Follow these tips and tricks to achieve crispy, browned skin encasing fork-tender meat bursting with juiciness.
Benefits of Baking Turkey Legs
There are several advantages to oven-roasting turkey legs versus cooking a whole turkey:
-
Shorter cook time – legs take less than an hour versus hours for a full bird
-
Easier to season and prepare – no complicated trussing or stuffing
-
Enjoy delicious dark meat – rich. moist meat without drying out white breast
-
Feed fewer people – perfect for smaller gatherings and weeknight meals
-
Less expensive – turkey legs cost just a fraction per pound of a whole turkey
-
Kid-friendly meal – kids love the fun, grab-and-go drumstick shape
Key Factors for Cook Time
The two main factors that determine how long to bake turkey legs at 400°F are size and weight.
-
Larger, heavier legs need more time to cook through to the proper internal temperature.
-
Smaller, lighter legs will cook faster and run the risk of drying out if baked too long.
Weight Chart for Cook Times
Follow these general guidelines based on turkey leg weight:
- 1 lb turkey legs: bake at 400°F for 45-55 minutes
- 1.5 lb turkey legs: bake at 400°F for 60-70 minutes
- 2 lb turkey legs: bake at 400°F for 70-80 minutes
An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the leg should read 165°F when fully cooked.
Prep Tips for Baked Turkey Legs
Proper prep is essential for the best oven-baked drumsticks:
-
Pat the legs dry thoroughly before seasoning to help flavors adhere
-
Coat evenly in oil or melted butter and seasoning of choice
-
Elevate legs on a wire rack over a baking sheet for air circulation
-
Use a foil tent if legs brown too quickly while cooking
Seasoning Suggestions
Turkey legs benefit from bold, robust seasoning. Consider:
-
Herbs – rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, marjoram
-
Spices – garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder
-
Savory flavors – lemon-pepper, jerk seasoning, barbecue dry rub
-
Salt and pepper – enhance natural turkey flavor
-
Sugar – for caramelization and crispier skin
Step-By-Step Baked Turkey Legs
Follow this simple method for juicy oven-baked turkey legs:
-
Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat 2 lbs turkey drumsticks dry.
-
Coat legs evenly with oil and seasonings of choice.
-
Place legs on wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet.
-
Roast at 400°F for 70-80 minutes until 165°F.
-
After 35 minutes, baste legs with pan juices.
-
Remove from oven, tent with foil, let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Common Leg baking Mistakes
Be sure to avoid these common pitfalls when oven-roasting turkey legs:
-
Not brining or seasoning sufficiently – leads to bland, dry meat
-
Baking at too high temperature – can toughen and dry out meat
-
Overcrowding pan – inhibits air flow and even cooking
-
Biting or slicing too soon – failing to rest legs causes juice loss
-
Skipping temperature check – leads to undercooked, unsafe meat
Serving Suggestions
Baked turkey legs pair beautifully with:
-
Hearty sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted veggies
-
Fresh, crisp salads with cranberry vinaigrette
-
Warm cornbread, biscuits, or rolls with honey butter
-
Traditional cranberry sauce, gravy, or chutney for dipping
Juicy Oven-Baked Perfection
Baking turkey legs at 400°F for 45-80 minutes based on weight delivers ideal results. Allowing proper oven heat circulation, basting periodically, and resting before slicing ensures moist, tender meat. Follow these helpful guidelines for crispy roasted turkey drumsticks the whole family will devour.
Ingredients For Super Tasty Turkey
You only need a few simple ingredients for this Baked Turkey Drumsticks recipe. The combination of herbs and spices here yields great flavor! Here are the ingredients you need:
- Turkey Drumsticks. I got these from my local grocery store. You could use turkey thighs, legs, or drumsticks instead if you can’t find them.
- Melted Butter. For flavor. The turkey tastes great when it’s brushed with butter before the other ingredients are added. The butter gets toasty as the drumsticks bake. Definitely more flavorful than using oil. But you could use oil as well.
- Salt and Pepper. For flavor.
- Garlic Powder. For flavor.
- Onion Powder. For flavor.
- Dried Thyme. For flavor.
- Dried Parsley. For flavor.
- Paprika. For a vibrant color.
See the recipe card for the quantity of each ingredient.
How To Bake Turkey Drumsticks
Here is how to make Baked Turkey Drumsticks in 2 easy steps!
- Putting the turkey drumsticks and everything else in a baking dish Spread the butter, herbs, and spices all over the turkey and rub them in well.
2. Place into the oven and bake until completely cooked through.
After 30 minutes in the oven, take the turkey drumsticks out and flip them over. Then, use the sauce from the bottom of the pan to coat them.
Oven Baked Turkey Legs | Easy Baked Turkey Legs | Ray Mack’s Kitchen & Grill
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a turkey at 400 degrees?
What temperature should a turkey leg be cooked at?
How to keep turkey legs from drying out?
How do you know if a turkey leg is fully cooked?
How long do you cook turkey legs in the oven?
Rub the seasoning all over both sides to evenly coat. Preheat your oven to 350°F. The cooking time will vary slightly depending on the size of the legs. Plan on baking bone-in skin-on turkey legs for 60-90 minutes. Place the seasoned legs in the preheated 350° oven. Bake for 30 minutes initially, then flip the legs over.
How long to cook turkey legs in convection oven?
Here is a great guide how to convert recipe for convection oven. Average size turkey legs of 10-12 ounces, will take about 60 minutes at 425 degrees F and 80 minutes at 400 degrees F. I do not recommend to reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F because it will take a very long time to cook turkey legs and skin will not be crispy.
How long does it take to cook a 10 oz Turkey Leg?
Average size turkey legs of 10-12 ounces, will take about 60 minutes at 425 degrees F and 80 minutes at 400 degrees F. I do not recommend to reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F because it will take a very long time to cook turkey legs and skin will not be crispy. Cook smaller 8 oz legs at 425 F for 40-45 minutes.
How long do you cook bone-in skin-on turkey legs?
Plan on baking bone-in skin-on turkey legs for 60-90 minutes. Place the seasoned legs in the preheated 350° oven. Bake for 30 minutes initially, then flip the legs over. Continue baking for another 30-60 minutes, flipping the legs halfway through, until the juices run clear when pierced with a fork and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
How do you cook a smoked turkey leg?
In a small bowl, add onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper and stir with a fork. Place turkey legs on a large plate, pat dry with paper towels and brush with oil. Sprinkle with a spice mix evenly all around and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
How long do you cook turkey legs in a crock pot?
Transfer to the baking sheet: Arrange the seasoned turkey legs in a single layer on your lined baking sheet. Bake: Bake for 25 minutes, uncovered. Cover with foil: After the 25-minute mark, loosely tent some aluminum foil over the turkey legs to prevent them from browning too quickly.