Can You Cook a Turkey With the Plastic Leg Holder?

That weird plastic thing holding the turkey’s legs together – can you just leave it on there while cooking the bird? I wondered the same thing myself many Thanksgivings ago when faced with my first turkey fresh from the grocery store

It turns out you can absolutely cook a turkey with the plastic leg holder left on, but there are some pros and cons to consider. Keep reading for the complete lowdown on whether or not to remove the leg holder and how to cook the bird safely either way

What is That Plastic Piece Anyway?

The plastic piece binding the turkey legs is called a hock lock or leg clamp. Poultry processors use them to keep the legs neatly together and prevent damage after slaughter. Hock locks were traditionally metal but today they are more often made of durable, heat-resistant plastic or nylon.

This plastic is designed to withstand exposure to high oven temperatures, unlike the flimsy plastic wrapping or absorbent pads that come in the turkey package. Those items need to be fully removed.

Is it Safe to Cook a Turkey With the Leg Holder On?

Yes, you can safely roast a turkey with the plastic hock lock left in place. Here are a few key points:

• The plastic is oven-safe up to around 500°F. Turkeys roast at 325-375°F.

• Leaving it on may help keep the legs together and prevent overcooking.

• Many experienced cooks recommend cooking the bird with the hock lock on.

However, you should remove the plastic if deep frying or grilling the turkey, as the material could potentially melt at very high oil or direct flame temperatures.

Overall, keeping the leg holder on is generally considered safe for roasting and poses no health risks if the turkey reaches the recommended internal temperature of 165°F.

Should You Remove the Plastic Leg Holder?

While safe to leave on, here are some reasons you may want to remove the leg holder before cooking the turkey:

• It allows more even cooking and heat circulation all around the leg joints.

• Lets you fully stuff an unrestricted cavity.

• Provides confidence there are no hidden unremoved parts.

• Eliminates the small risk it melts if oven is too hot.

• Just for personal preference of an all-natural bird.

Removing the plastic leg holder is easy. Simply use clean kitchen scissors or shears to cut it off before cooking. This also lets you tie the legs together with butcher’s twine or tuck the legs under the bird if desired.

Tips for Safely Cooking a Turkey

Whether you keep the plastic on or take it off, follow these tips for safely roasting a turkey:

• Thaw the turkey completely in the fridge before roasting.

• Remove the neck and giblets from the body cavities before cooking.

• Roast the turkey until the thickest part of the breast and thighs reach 165°F.

• Let it rest 20 minutes before carving for juicier meat.

• Refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours. Reheat thoroughly later.

• Discard any turkey, stuffing, or gravy sitting at room temperature over 2 hours.

Answering Common Turkey Leg Holder Questions

Here are answers to some other frequently asked questions about the plastic piece binding turkey legs:

Is it ok to just cut the leg holder off with scissors?

Yes, kitchen shears are the easiest way to cleanly remove the leg holder. Just make sure to wash the scissors after handling raw poultry.

Can you cook it with the pop-up thermometer still in?

The plastic pop-up thermometer that indicates doneness can also be safely left in for roasting or grilling. But again, remove it if deep frying.

What if I forgot to take the giblets out – is the turkey ruined?

As long as the bird reached 165°F internally, it should be safe to eat if you forgot the giblets inside. Just inspect that the plastic bag didn’t melt and discard if it did.

Can you microwave or air fry a turkey with the leg holder on?

It’s not recommended. The leg holder plastic could degrade at the very high heat levels used in these appliances. Stick to traditional lower-temperature oven roasting only.

Does trussing the legs give a better presentation?

Some cooks think trussing or tying the legs yields a nicer overall shape. But leaving them free allows more even cooking. Do whichever you prefer the look of.

Let’s Talk Turkey!

While you can roast a turkey safely with the plastic hock lock left on, removing it does provide some advantages for stuffing, heat circulation, and natural appearance.

I prefer to slip it off with clean scissors before seasoning and cooking the bird. But millions of turkeys turn out perfectly delicious each year with those funny plastic leg holders keeping the drumsticks neatly together.

Whichever you choose, just remember to fully thaw, prep, roast to temperature, and safely store all leftovers. Follow the basic food safety rules, and you will have a wonderful holiday meal whether you keep the plastic on or take it off your turkey.