Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Roasted Turkey Legs with Vegetables Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 98 reviews
  • Author: Paula
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Roasted Turkey Legs with Vegetables recipe features succulent bone-in, skin-on turkey legs marinated in a flavorful blend of vegetable oil, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper. They are roasted over a bed of hearty vegetables including onions, carrots, celery, and baby potatoes, resulting in a tender, juicy turkey with crispy skin and perfectly roasted vegetables. Ideal for a comforting and satisfying meal, this dish is simple to prepare and showcases classic oven roasting techniques.


Ingredients

Scale

Turkey and Marinade

  • 2 turkey legs with thighs, bone-in, skin-on (approximately 2 lbs. each)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Vegetables

  • Half medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch wide slices
  • 2 to 3 medium carrots, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 cup celery, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 10 baby potatoes, halved


Instructions

  1. Marinate the turkey: In a large bowl or resealable ziploc bag, combine the turkey legs with vegetable oil, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss or press the marinade around the turkey legs until well coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. For best results, marinate longer.
  2. Assemble the roasting pan: Arrange the sliced onions, carrots, celery, and halved baby potatoes evenly in a large roasting pan. Place a roasting rack over the vegetables and arrange the marinated turkey legs on the rack. Drizzle any leftover marinade over the vegetables to enhance flavor during roasting.
  3. Bake the turkey legs: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the roasting pan with turkey and vegetables in the oven and bake for 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the size of the turkey legs, until the skin is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
  4. Broil for crispy skin (optional): For an extra crispy and browned turkey skin, switch the oven to broil on high. Broil the turkey legs for 3 to 4 minutes, carefully monitoring to prevent burning.
  5. Serve: Remove the turkey legs and vegetables from the oven. Serve turkey legs over the roasted vegetables and drizzle with the pan juices. Optionally, use the drippings to quickly make a simple 2-ingredient turkey gravy to serve on top.

Notes

  • Marinating the turkey for longer than 1 hour—up to overnight—improves flavor and tenderness.
  • Monitor the turkey closely when broiling to avoid burning the skin.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey legs reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safe eating.
  • If you don’t have a roasting rack, place the turkey legs directly on the bed of vegetables, though this may affect texture and roasting evenness.
  • Leftover turkey and vegetables can be repurposed for sandwiches or soups.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 turkey leg with vegetables (about 1/6th of recipe)
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 52g
  • Cholesterol: 165mg