Learn how to cook turkey drumsticks (gravy included). It is very simple to roast turkey legs in the oven; you only need a few things to make a tasty holiday meal.
Try cooking this turkey drumstick recipe. The meat is soft and the sauce is amazing, made with vegetables and roasting juices.
Do you think that cooking a whole turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas might be too much for your family? Extra-large turkeys can be too much for a small family.
Juicy, delicious turkey legs are a festive treat, but figuring out how long to cook them can be tricky. With the right techniques though, you’ll have fall-off-the-bone tender turkey legs coming off your stovetop in no time.
Why Cook Turkey Legs on the Stovetop?
Cooking turkey legs on the stovetop offers several advantages:
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Convenient – No need for an oven. Perfect for smaller spaces.
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Quick – Stovetop turkey cooks faster than oven roasting.
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Flavor control – Stovetop allows seasoning and sauces to infuse flavor.
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Moisture – Covered pans trap steam to keep meat ultra-juicy
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Versatility – Goes with endless side dishes and global seasonings.
Overall, the stovetop unlocks quick, tasty, fuss-free turkey joy!
How Long Does it Take to Cook Turkey Legs on the Stove?
Cook times vary based on size, but in general plan for 15 – 2 hours to fully cook stovetop turkey legs
Key factors impacting total cook time:
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Weight – Heavier legs take longer. Smaller legs may only need 1 hour.
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Thickness – Chunkier cuts require more time to cook through.
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Bone-in or bone-out – Bone-in legs cook slower than boneless.
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Cooking method – Braising, sautéing, etc. affect time.
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Temperature – Higher heat cooks faster but risks burning.
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Ingredients – Liquids and aromatics lengthen time slightly.
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Quantity – Cooking multiple legs increases overall cook time.
Monitor temperature and visual cues, not just time, to ensure perfect doneness.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Follow these simple steps for tender stovetop turkey legs every time:
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Season turkey legs with salt, pepper, garlic, herbs like thyme or rosemary.
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Sear seasoned legs in hot oil skin-side down until browned, 3-4 minutes per side.
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Reduce heat to medium-low and add liquid like broth.
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Partially cover pan and simmer turkey legs for 1.5 – 2 hours.
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Flip and baste with cooking liquid every 30 minutes for even cooking.
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Test temperature to ensure legs reach 165°F internally when done.
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Let rest 5 minutes before serving for juicy results!
How to Tell When Turkey Legs Are Fully Cooked
Rely on these visual and temperature cues:
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Meat pulls back from the bone.
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Meat shreds easily with a fork.
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Inside of leg joint appears white, not pink.
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Clear juices run when pierced with a knife.
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Minimum 165°F internal temperature.
The longer you cook legs, the more tender and fall-off-the-bone texture you’ll achieve. But prevent overcooking or drying out with the right stove-to-table timing.
Cooking Tips for Super Juicy Turkey Legs
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Maintain steady gentle simmer – no boiling!
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Use broth, wine, or water for braising liquid.
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Keep pan partially covered to seal in steam.
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Baste and flip legs frequently while cooking.
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Tent with foil after cooking and let rest before eating.
Sample Turkey Leg Recipes and Cook Times
| Recipe | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Classic Roasted Herb Turkey Legs | 1 hr 45 min |
| Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Turkey Legs | 1 hr 15 min |
| Maple Dijon Turkey Legs | 1 hr 30 min |
| Cranberry Glazed Turkey Legs | 1 hr 20 min |
| Garlic Pepper Turkey Legs | 1 hr 40 min |
Turkey Leg Pairings & Serving Suggestions
Turkey legs deserve delicious accompaniments like:
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Mashed potatoes or stuffing
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Roasted autumn vegetables
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Cranberry compote or sauce
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Gravy or au jus
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Fresh biscuits or rolls
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Leafy green salad
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Macaroni and cheese
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Warm cornbread
Get creative with globally inspired seasonings and sides too! A perfect main dish for family dinners, game day, or easy holiday meals.
Troubleshooting Common Turkey Leg Problems
Turkey legs take too long to cook:
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Increase heat slightly for faster cooking.
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Cut legs in halves or quarters for quicker cook time.
Turkey legs are tough and chewy:
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Cook longer at lower heat until fork tender.
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Use younger, smaller turkey legs for more tenderness.
Turkey legs are dry:
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Add more liquid to the pan and cover tightly.
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Baste with juices frequently while cooking.
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Don’t overcook – use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
Turkey legs are undercooked:
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Return legs to pan, add liquid, and simmer until 165°F.
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Cut into thinner pieces for faster cooking.
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Check your thermometer is working correctly.
Turkey legs lack flavor:
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Season more aggressively before and during cooking.
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Increase sautéing time to enhance browning.
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Add bold aromatics like garlic and herbs.
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Use broth, wine or sauce for a flavor boost.
Get the Perfect Stovetop Turkey Every Time
Knowing exactly how long to cook turkey legs on the stovetop eliminates all the guesswork. For ideal doneness and mouthwatering flavor, allow 1.5 – 2 hours for bone-in legs. But let temperature and tenderness guide you. With the right prep, seasonings, and stove-to-table timing, you’ll be rewarded with succulent, juicy results that are a joy to eat. So grab those turkey legs and get cooking! Your festive feast awaits.
Why you will love this recipe?
- Simple: A basic recipe for cooking turkey drumsticks. Brown and simmer for a short time on the stove, then move to the oven.
- Budget recipe using just a few simple ingredients. The drumsticks are a lot less expensive than a whole turkey, and all of the other ingredients are also very cheap. A delicious Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner without overstretching your budget.
- Great for a small family. You can change how much of the recipe you use.
- Gravy included.
- Turkey drumsticks: large ones weighing about 1 lb/500 g each.
- Onion, garlic, carrots, celeriac (or two to three celery sticks, depending on size), bell pepper, and celeriac. The legs will be fried and put on top of the vegetables. You will also need them to make the gravy.
- Stock: I use homemade turkey stock most of the time. You can use store-bought or homemade chicken stock, but if you buy it, make sure it’s low-sodium so your food doesn’t taste too salty.
- Spices: salt, ground black pepper, sweet paprika.
- Other ingredients: vegetable oil and one tablespoon of tomato paste.
- Large ovenproof pot with a lid. It would be best to use a Dutch oven, but any heavy-bottomed pot will do.
- To prepare the turkey, pat the drumsticks dry with kitchen paper and sprinkle them with a lot of salt, pepper, and sweet paprika powder.
- To brown and simmer, heat the oil in a Dutch oven or another large dish that can go in the oven. Brown the meat on all sides (2).
- Simmer: Put in 1 cup of chicken stock, cover, and cook on low heat for 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit/ 200 degrees Celsius.
- Prepare vegetables while the drumsticks are simmering. Whisk the tomato paste in the remaining ¼ cup stock. Add both to the pot. Cover the pot (3).
- Bake covered for 35 minutes.
- Cover the meat and bake it for about 10 minutes, or until the skin is golden and the meat reaches 170 degrees Fahrenheit (77 degrees Celsius).
- Move the meat to a big plate and set it aside for 15 minutes. In the meantime, make the gravy.
How to make the gravy?
- Take out about ⅓ of the vegetables and set them aside.
- Blend the remaining veggies until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper, but only if necessary. You might not need to add anything else if the stock was already salty.
Braised Turkey legs Just three easy steps
FAQ
How do you know when a turkey leg is done?
Why do turkey legs take longer to cook?