How Much Do Turkey Legs Weigh? A Guide to Picking the Perfect Drumsticks

Turkey legs, also known as drumsticks, are a popular meal on their own or as part of a bigger holiday spread. But if you’ve ever tried to buy them at the store or order them for catering, you may wonder – how much do turkey legs actually weigh? Knowing the average weight can help you pick the right size drumsticks for your needs.

The weight of turkey legs can vary quite a bit based on a few key factors. Read on for a complete guide to turkey leg sizes, weights, and how to pick the perfect drumsticks for your recipe or meal.

The Average Weight of Turkey Legs

Turkey legs are typically sold individually or in bulk cases. Here are the average weights you can expect:

• Single turkey legs – 0.5 to 1 lb
• Case of turkey legs (10 legs) – 15 to 17 lbs
• Case of jumbo turkey legs (10 legs) – 18 to 22 lbs

Jumbo turkey legs are around 1.5 to 2 lbs each. Regular drumsticks average about 1 lb per leg.

So if you want to estimate weight when buying in bulk, plan on about 1 to 1.5 lbs per individual leg as a general rule. Larger legs tend to be closer to 2 lbs.

Factors That Affect Turkey Leg Weight

Several factors impact the weight of turkey drumsticks:

• Turkey breed – Heritage and wild turkeys tend to have larger, meatier legs than commercial breeds

• Age – Legs from older birds are bigger than younger ones. Mature turkey legs can weigh twice as much as juvenile legs.

• Sex – Toms (males) often have larger legs than hens (females)

• Diet – Access to rich feed and open grazing can increase muscle and fat development.

• Activity level – More active turkeys develop more muscle mass in their legs.

• Cooking method – Frying or grilling may cause some moisture loss, decreasing the weight

So two legs from different turkeys could vary significantly based on these factors. When estimating how many legs you need, consider the source.

Buying Turkey Legs for a Recipe

If your recipe calls for a certain turkey leg weight, communicate that clearly when purchasing. Tell the butcher or vendor the exact weight needed so you get legs that work for your dish.

For example, say your recipe is based on 1.5 lb turkey legs. Request legs around that weight rather than just asking for a certain number of legs.

If buying pre-packaged turkey legs from the store, check weight ranges on the labels so you can find drumsticks that match your needs.

How Many Legs for a Gathering?

Trying to figure out how many turkey legs you need for a crowd? Here are some estimates:

• 8-12 people – 5-7 legs
• 12-16 people – 8-10 legs
• 16-20 people – 10-14 legs
• 20-30 people – 16-20 legs

In general, plan on about 1 leg for every 2-3 people, depending on the side dishes and other foods you’ll serve. Round up if you want leftovers.

For large events like festivals or theme parks, use 1 leg per person as a benchmark for ample supply.

Jumbo legs around 1.5-2 lbs each will be the most filling. Go with the higher amounts if serving bigger legs.

Purchasing Turkey Legs for Catering

Catering an event with turkey legs? Buying in bulk cases is the most economical option.

A 30 lb case contains 10-15 legs averaging about 2 lbs each. This would serve 15-30 guests depending on sides.

Estimate 1.5 to 2 lbs of turkey legs per person if they’re the main feature of your menu. Have sides, desserts, and other proteins ready to go alongside.

And don’t forget to factor in extras for your staff to enjoy behind the scenes!

Storing and Handling Turkey Legs

• Store legs in the coldest part of the fridge for 2-3 days max.

• For longer storage, freeze legs for 4-6 months wrapped in freezer bags. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.

• Raw legs can be kept in cooler boxes with ice packs when transporting for catering.

• Cook legs to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a meat thermometer.

• Leftover cooked legs can be refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for 2-3 months. Reheat to 165°F before serving.

Proper chilling, freezing, transporting, and cooking ensures safe handling and the best quality.

Cooking Methods for Turkey Legs

There are endless ways to cook delicious turkey drumsticks:

• Roast in the oven basted with butter, oil, or broth
• Grill over medium indirect heat for crispy skin
• Smoke low and slow for intense flavor (goes great with bbq sauce)
• Deep fry for crispy outside and moist interior
• Instant Pot for fall-off-the-bone tenderness
• Simmer in soups, stews, and chilis to add heartiness

Season or sauce them to match any flavor profile. Get creative with spices, herbs, marinades, and glazes.

Allow 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F oven temperature, adjusting time for larger legs and other cooking methods. Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.

Serving Ideas for Turkey Legs

Beyond just a main course, turkey drumsticks can be used in versatile ways:

• Offer a turkey leg carving station at a buffet or catered event
• Make slider sandwiches with carved turkey on rolls
• Dice up leftover meat for casseroles, soups, salads, and pasta dishes
• Pair with homemade sides like cornbread, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, cranberry sauce, etc.
• Serve with creamy coleslaw and biscuits for a hearty meal
• Create a “caveman” theme with turkey legs eaten by hand!

Turkey legs are a fun, festive choice for many occasions. With proper handling and preparation, they can shine as the star of your meal.

So next time you’re shopping for turkey legs, use the weight ranges above to pick the perfect drumsticks for your gathering. Then get ready to delight your guests with delicious turkey!

URLs:

• https://www.chefsresource.com/how-much-does-a-turkey-leg-weigh/: 5
• https://farmersfreshmeat.com/shop/fresh-jumbo-turkey-drumsticks-case-30lb: 3

Entities:

• lb: 27
• legs: 43
• turkey: 32
• drumsticks: 7
• weight: 15
• people: 9
• recipe: 5
• cook: 4
• store: 3
• butcher: 2
• breast: 0