Description
Wondering whether you should cover turkey legs when baking? This guide will walk you through five powerful tips to achieve crispy, juicy, and flavorful turkey legs every time. Whether you prefer them roasted uncovered for a golden-brown finish or covered to retain extra moisture, we’ll help you get the best results!
Ingredients
- 4 turkey legs
- 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (if covering while baking)
Instructions
Preheat Oven – Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
Prepare Turkey Legs – Pat the turkey legs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Season – Rub the turkey legs with olive oil or melted butter, then coat them evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and thyme.
Bake Uncovered for Crispy Skin (Recommended) – Place the turkey legs on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F (80°C).
Bake Covered for Extra Juiciness – If you prefer more moisture, add 1/2 cup of broth to the baking dish and cover with foil for the first 30 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes for a crispy finish.
Final Touch – Let the turkey legs rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to lock in juices.
Notes
- For extra crispy skin, broil the turkey legs for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
- Marinate overnight with seasoning for deeper flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches 175°F (80°C).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 turkey leg
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 140mg