Name: Easy Roasted Turkey Legs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 tbsp dried oregano; 1 tbsp dried parsley; ½ tbsp garlic powder; ½ tbsp sweet paprika; 1 tsp cayenne; 1 tsp brown sugar; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp ground pepper; 1 lemon (, zest only); 3 ½ pounds (1.3kg) turkey leg and thigh portions; 3 tbsp olive oil (, or as needed); 1 lemon (, sliced into rounds (use the zested lemon)); 1 red onion (, sliced into rounds); Few sprigs fresh rosemary

Easy Roasted Turkey Legs

Easy Roasted Turkey Legs – tender and juicy turkey for lovers of dark meat! This perfectly seasoned oven-roasted turkey leg recipe is a great alternative to roasting an entire turkey. And as anyone who has tried a juicy turkey leg at…

Serves 6

Prep 10 minutes

Cook 1 hour

Total 1 hour

Jump to the recipe

Serve with my Air Fryer Roast Potatoes,Goose Fat Roast Potatoes or Air Fryer Baked Potatoes and my Air Fryer Stuffing Balls

I am a firm believer that Roast Turkey is not just for Christmas and Thanksgiving family dinners! In fact, I’d argue that this easy dinner works any time of the year and family members will be thrilled with the results.

But cooking the whole bird can be a real challenge, which is why I was excited to discover giant turkey legs for sale at my local supermarket recently.

A whole turkey leg easily feeds four to six and is super economical, perfect for small Thanksgiving gatherings or any small holiday dinner, rather than breaking out a big bird. Even better? You will be amazed how incredibly easy it is to prepare!

Forget brining, basting and getting hot and bothered about roasting the perfect turkey! These tender turkey legs are a great option if you are serving a smaller group of dark meat lovers.

PS: If you prefer white meat, check out my easy Roast Turkey Crown recipe! For a quick alternative to whole roast turkey, take a look at my Turkey Roll Recipe.

two roasted turkey legs on a roasting tray

Here’s What You Will Need

Turkey legs – my 1.6 kg (3 ½ pound) turkey leg came sliced into leg and thigh portions
Olive oil
Seasoning rub – salt, pepper, sugar, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, oregano, dried parsley and lemon zest
Onions, rosemary sprigs and lemons – these provide a trivet for the turkey legs to cook on
Digital thermometer to make sure they are cooked to the perfect (safe) temperature.
A good carving set

Turkey leg and thigh rubbed with seasoning on a roasting tray

How to Roast Turkey Legs

↓ For the full ingredients and detailed method, jump to the recipe card.

Rub the turkey legs with olive oil. Combine all the ingredients for the rub and then sprinkle liberally over the turkey on both sides.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a roasting tin with baking paper or foil and spread the onion, rosemary and lemon slices over it.

tray with rosemary, lemon and onion slices

Place the turkey leg on top, skin side down and roast in your preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn the legs over, skin side up, and continue to cook for a further 40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 75°C (167°F). This method is a great way to achieve the perfect mix of crispy skin and succulent, juicy meat.

How Do I Know the Turkey Legs Are Done?

The best – and safest! – way to tell when your turkey legs are cooked to perfection is to check the temperature using a digital thermometer.

Insert the probe in the thickest part of the leg, avoiding the bone, and check it has reached a minimum of 75°C (167°F). The juices should run clear – another indicator that the turkey is cooked.

Roasting time will vary depending on the size of the turkey legs and the efficiency of your oven, so do check earlier if you are cooking smaller turkey legs.

A roasted turkey leg with a crispy, golden-brown crust and sprigs of rosemary rests on a wooden cutting board

Lucy’s Pro Tip

Perfectly juicy turkey needs resting! Rest the turkey legs before serving to allow the meat fibers to relax and juices to redistribute. If you carve the turkey immediately the meat will be tough!