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–+ servings
Two roasted turkey legs on a white dish with some two fresh sprigs of rosemary.

Easy Roasted Turkey Legs

Nataliia
Learn how to prepare perfectly roasted turkey legs the easy way - no flipping or covering with foil required. Simply season turkey legs with a blend of salt, homemade spice mix, and oil, then bake them at 400°F until the skin turns crispy, and the meat cooks to perfection. 
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Holiday dish, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 251 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Deep baking dish or roasting pan
  • 1 sheet parchment paper
  • 1 small bowl
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large turkey legs (drumsticks)
  • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • ½ teaspoon dried sage
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Remove turkey legs from the fridge 15 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a deep baking dish with parchment paper.
  • Pat dry the drumsticks with paper towels to absorb extra moisture.
  • In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, ½ teaspoon dried sage, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional).
  • Brush turkey legs with olive oil on both sides. Next, rub each turkey leg with the salt and spice mix. Place the legs into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with some chopped fresh rosemary.
  • Roast turkey legs at 400°F for about 60-70 minutes. After 60 minutes, take them out and start checking the internal temperature with the meat thermometer. If it registers 165°F in the thickest part and the juices run clear, the meat are ready. Otherwise, pace them back into the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Let the meat rest in the baking dish for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can use different spice mix and add some more fresh herbs.
The cooking time may be longer or shorter depending on a few factors such as size of the legs, type of baking dish, type of the oven.
Two legs have enough meat to feed 3-4 people, but if you are cooking them for guests, prepare one leg per each person.
You can use the leftovers meat for sandwiches, soups, pasta.
You can freeze cooked turkey meat for up t0 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1legCalories: 251kcalProtein: 23gFat: 12.5gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 542mg
Keyword baked turkey legs, oven baked turkey drumsticks, roasted turkey legs
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