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Roasted Herb Butter Turkey Legs Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, flavorful dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, you have to try this Roasted Herb Butter Turkey Legs Recipe. I absolutely love how tender and juicy these turkey legs turn out—plus, the herb butter creates this insanely fragrant crust that’s just irresistible. When I first tried this recipe, it quickly became a favorite for Sunday dinners and special occasions alike, so stick around because I’m going to share all my best tips to help you nail it at home.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tenderness: Slow roasting keeps the turkey legs juicy and flavorful every single time.
  • Fresh Herb Butter Magic: The rosemary and thyme butter? It’s like a flavor bomb that makes the skin crispy and absolutely delightful.
  • Simple Yet Impresses: It’s straightforward to make but perfect for impressing guests or family without fuss.
  • Versatile and Comforting: Great for cozy dinners, weeknight meals, or special brunches alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Roasted Herb Butter Turkey Legs Recipe is in its simplicity. The ingredients work together to build layers of flavor—fresh herbs and butter infuse the meat, while salt and pepper bring it all together. I always recommend grabbing the freshest herbs you can find because it makes a noticeable difference.

Roasted Herb Butter Turkey Legs Recipe - Ingredients
  • Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt level better; make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
  • Fresh Rosemary: Fresh is key—dry herbs won’t give the same punch of flavor or aroma.
  • Fresh Thyme: This herb blends beautifully with rosemary to create that classic poultry seasoning vibe.
  • Kosher Salt: I prefer kosher salt for its coarse texture that seasons more evenly.
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Freshly grinding pepper adds a sharper, brighter spice than pre-ground.
  • Turkey Drumsticks (Skin-On, Bone-In): The bone keeps the meat juicy and adds flavor, plus the skin crisps up amazingly under the broiler.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love to tweak this Roasted Herb Butter Turkey Legs Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand. Don’t be shy to customize—it’s all about making it your own and having fun in the kitchen.

  • Spicy Kick: Once, I added a pinch of cayenne to the butter mixture, and it gave the turkey an exciting subtle heat that my family couldn’t stop raving about.
  • Garlic Herb: Throw in some minced garlic into the butter blend for a richer, more savory flavor that’s perfect for garlic lovers.
  • Lemon Zest: Adding fresh lemon zest brightens the overall flavor and adds a zing that cuts through the buttery richness.
  • Gluten-Free Option: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, so it’s great if you’re cooking for friends with dietary needs.

How to Make Roasted Herb Butter Turkey Legs Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Herb Butter Blend

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F. While it’s warming up, mix the softened butter with chopped rosemary, thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl. This combination is where the magic begins—it infuses every bite with rich, fresh flavor that’s hard to beat. I usually get hands-on here, using my fingers to mash and mix thoroughly so the herbs release their oils right into the butter.

Step 2: Butter Up Those Turkey Legs

Pat your turkey legs dry with paper towels—that’s a crucial step because moisture is the enemy of crisp skin. Then, generously coat each turkey leg with your herb butter mix. Here’s a trick I learned: gently loosen the skin with your fingers and rub some of the butter under it too. This keeps the meat juicy and pushes flavor deep into every inch. Don’t skimp on this part; it truly makes a difference.

Step 3: Wrap and Roast Low and Slow

Wrap each buttered turkey leg tightly in foil and place them on a wire rack atop a baking sheet—or you can use a large baking dish tightly covered with foil instead. This method traps moisture and gives you tender meat without drying out. Pop them into your preheated oven and roast until the thickest part reaches 165°F, which usually takes about 2 hours. I recommend using a reliable instant-read thermometer—not just to be safe, but so your turkey legs aren’t overcooked.

Step 4: Bring On the Crispy Skin

Once roasted, carefully unwrap the turkey legs (or remove the foil from the dish). Set your oven broiler to high, then broil the legs for 8 to 10 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning. This step crisps up the skin beautifully, giving it that crave-worthy golden-brown crunch that pairs perfectly with the tender meat.

Step 5: Rest and Enjoy

Let the turkey legs rest for at least 10 minutes before serving; this allows the juices to redistribute so every bite is mouthwateringly juicy. Trust me, this patience pays off big time.

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Pro Tips for Making Roasted Herb Butter Turkey Legs Recipe

  • Room Temperature Butter: Soft butter is way easier to mix with herbs and spread under the skin evenly—don’t skip bringing it out early.
  • Don’t Rush the Resting: I used to serve too soon and ended up with drier meat; resting keeps all those juices locked in.
  • Use a Meat Thermometer: This takes the guesswork out of roasting and ensures perfectly cooked turkey legs every time.
  • Watch That Broiler: The skin can go from perfect to burnt quickly, so keep your eyes on it while crisping under the broiler.

How to Serve Roasted Herb Butter Turkey Legs Recipe

Roasted Herb Butter Turkey Legs Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually finish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs right on top—it brightens up the dish visually and adds a pop of fresh aroma that’s so inviting. A wedge of lemon on the side is also a lovely touch if you want a little zest to cut through the richness.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides are creamy mashed potatoes or roasted garlic sweet potatoes, plus a simple green veggie like steamed broccoli or sautéed green beans. These balance the herb butter richness perfectly and round out the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like to serve the turkey legs on a rustic wooden board with some crusty bread and a small dish of herb-infused butter for dipping. It’s super inviting and feels festive without any extra fuss—and your guests will love tearing into juicy turkey legs!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover turkey legs in airtight containers in the fridge, and they usually keep well up to 3 days. Before storing, I like to remove any foil and let the meat cool slightly so moisture doesn’t build up inside the container, which keeps the skin from getting soggy.

Freezing

You can freeze cooked turkey legs wrapped tightly with plastic wrap and stored in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When I freeze leftovers, I label the bags with the date so I keep track and use them while they’re still fresh and tasty.

Reheating

To reheat without drying out the meat, I recommend wrapping the turkey leg in foil and warming it up in a 300°F oven for about 20 minutes. For a crispy skin finish, I briefly broil it for a couple of minutes at the end. This method brought my leftovers back to just-about-fresh quality every time.

FAQs

  1. Can I use frozen turkey legs for this recipe?

    Yes, you can. Just make sure to fully thaw the turkey legs in the fridge before starting the recipe. Thawing overnight is best to ensure even cooking and proper temperature when roasting.

  2. Why do you wrap the turkey legs in foil while roasting?

    Wrapping them in foil traps moisture and helps keep the meat juicy during the long roasting process. It also ensures the turkey cooks evenly without drying out before the skin crisps under the broiler.

  3. Can I prepare the herb butter mixture ahead of time?

    Absolutely! You can make the herb butter a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just bring it back to room temperature before rubbing it on the turkey legs for easier spreading and better absorption.

  4. What if I don’t have fresh herbs—can I use dried?

    You can substitute with dried herbs, but use about one-third of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated. Fresh herbs really do give a brighter, fresher flavor, so I recommend them if possible.

Final Thoughts

This Roasted Herb Butter Turkey Legs Recipe is the kind of dish that makes you feel like a home cooking superstar every time you serve it. It’s straightforward, comforting, and just packed with flavor. I promise, once you try it, you’ll find yourself reaching for turkey legs way more often—and your family will thank you, too! Give it a go and enjoy that unbeatable combo of tender meat and crispy, herbaceous skin that always steals the show.

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Roasted Herb Butter Turkey Legs Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 57 reviews
  • Author: Paula
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 hrs
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Roasted Turkey Leg recipe features succulent, bone-in turkey drumsticks seasoned with a fragrant blend of fresh rosemary, thyme, and butter. The turkey legs are slow-roasted in the oven wrapped in foil to lock in moisture and then finished under the broiler for a crispy golden skin. Perfectly tender and flavorful, this recipe is ideal for a comforting dinner.


Ingredients

Butter Herb Mixture

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Turkey

  • 4 skin-on, bone-in turkey drumsticks (10 to 12 oz. each)


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Butter Mixture: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). In a small bowl, thoroughly combine the room temperature unsalted butter with chopped fresh rosemary, chopped fresh thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create a flavorful herb butter.
  2. Prepare Turkey Legs: Pat the turkey legs dry with paper towels. Generously coat each drumstick with the herb butter mixture, making sure to rub some of the butter under the skin using your hands to infuse flavor deeply into the meat.
  3. Wrap and Arrange for Roasting: Wrap each buttered turkey leg individually in aluminum foil. Place the wrapped legs on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet, or alternatively use a large baking dish tightly covered with foil. This setup helps to retain moisture and promotes even cooking.
  4. Roast the Turkey: Bake the wrapped turkey legs in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C), approximately 2 hours. This slow roasting ensures tender and juicy meat.
  5. Broil to Crisp Skin: Remove the foil wrapping from each turkey leg (or uncover the baking dish). Set your oven broiler to high and broil the turkey legs, watching carefully, until the skin turns crispy and golden, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  6. Rest and Serve: Allow the roasted turkey legs to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. Resting helps the juices redistribute, ensuring moist and flavorful meat.

Notes

  • Make sure the turkey legs are fully thawed before cooking.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
  • If you prefer extra crispy skin, you can broil for a few minutes longer but watch carefully to avoid burning.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 turkey leg (approx. 10-12 oz)
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 0.3g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 32g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 0g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 39g
  • Cholesterol: 140mg

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