Easy Apple Cider Roasted Turkey Legs
There’s no need to make an entire turkey when you can make delicious turkey drumsticks. Give each guest a deliciously braised whole turkey leg for Thanksgiving dinner!
I’ve always been a fan of white meat turkey smothered with stuffing and gravy, but my husband has turned me into a dark meat lover over the years!
The juicy meat is simply the best, and it’s so hard to mess up. This turkey drumstick recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients that honor the season; onion, apples and warm, fragrant spices
For this recipe, we do a quick sear on the stovetop, then add onions, apples, turkey stock, apple cider and seasonings to finish the tender turkey legs in the oven.
I think braising in liquid is the best way to keep the turkey legs moist and tender!
This recipe calls for both turkey legs and turkey thighs, since they’re typically packaged together. You will need to separate them at the joint if they’re still connected. You can absolutely substitute and use only turkey legs or turkey thighs, just grab 4 of them!
While I know that most of you will make this for Thanksgiving, it’s truly easy enough for weeknight dinner. If giant turkey legs are on sale at the grocery store this fall, grab four of them and make this easy dinner for your family!
These Onion and Apple Roasted Turkey Legs are the perfect main course for a small holiday dinner, whether it’s Thanksgiving of Christmas! It’s fun and elegant, and you don’t have to spend any time carving up a whole turkey.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What will I need to complete this recipe?
You will need:
- fresh turkey legs (or thighs)
- apple cider
- turkey stock (sub chicken stock, chicken broth or vegetable stock)
- olive oil (or butter)
- red onion
- red delicious apples
- nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, parsley or other fresh herbs for garnish
Equipment Needed:
You will need a large Dutch oven or an oven-safe deep skillet with a lid. If you do not have a Dutch oven, you can always sear the turkey legs in a skillet, then transfer them to a casserole dish for the oven. Make sure to seal the dish with aluminum foil
What does braised mean?
Braised meat, such as this apple braised turkey legs and thighs, is meat that has been seared in oil before being slowly cooked in liquid. If you love this recipe, you’ll love my Mustard and Beer Braised Pork Ribs!
Substitutions for this recipe
- Substitute red onion with yellow, white, or sweet onion.
- Substitute the allspice with pumpkin pie spice.
- Substitute the red delicious apples with granny smith apples for a stronger flavor.
- Use homemade apple cider instead of store-bought.
Can I freeze this after making it?
Yes, you can make these apple braised turkey legs and thighs and then freeze them in an airtight and freezer-safe container for up to 4 months. You’ll want to thaw them completely in a refrigerator first before reheating and serving.
Can I make this using turkey breast?
Yes, you can make this apple braised turkey legs recipe with a turkey breast as long as the turkey breasts are skin on because you’ll need to sear the skin. Seared crispy skin is not only delicious, it helps seal in the juices!
How can I make the turkey juicier?
You can make a more juicy turkey by brining the turkey legs in a salt solution for at least 12 hours before cooking. This seals in moisture and helps the meat retain its juices during the cooking process. But, it’s totally optional!
What should I do with leftover turkey?
If you have leftover turkey meat, you can make these Turkey Cranberry Sliders.
And, you can save the drumstick bones to make turkey stock!
Can I make this recipe with chicken legs?
Yes, you will need about 3 pounds of chicken drumsticks. You can also check out these Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs.
What should I serve with roasted turkey legs?
Check out these post for my favorite thanksgiving recipes! It has a list of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes, cocktails, more delicious turkey recipes, and Thanksgiving appetizers.
Oven Braised Turkey Legs
There's no need to make an entire turkey when you can make delicious turkey drumsticks! Give each guest a deliciously braised whole turkey leg for Thanksgiving dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 fresh turkey legs (2 drumsticks, 2 thighs) skin on
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the braising liquid:
- 2 cups apple cider
- 2 cups turkey stock
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red onion, chopped
- 1 red delicious apple, sliced
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- fresh herbs for garnish (rosemary, thyme, parsley)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pat the turkey legs dry with a paper towel, then season the turkey legs and thighs with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- In a large Dutch oven or deep oven-safe skillet with a top, add olive oil and heat on medium heat.
- Add onion to the olive oil and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion has softened and is fragrant. Remove and set aside on a plate to rest.
- Increase the burner temperature to medium-high heat. Add the turkey skin-side down. Sear the turkey for about 4 minutes per side, then set aside on a plate to rest.
- Reduce the burner temperature to low.
- Add sliced apples to the bottom of your Dutch oven, then evenly sprinkle nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice over the apples. Add cooked onions.
- Add apple cider to the Dutch oven, then add the seared turkey.
- Pour turkey stock around the turkey legs until the liquid level comes up halfway around the turkey legs. It should not completely cover the turkey. You may use less than 2 cups depending on the size of your Dutch oven.
- Cover the Dutch oven, then roast the turkey legs in your preheated oven for 1.5 hours.
- Remove the cover, and roast uncovered for the last 30 minutes.
- The turkey is done when a meat thermometer reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the leg.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs
Notes
The turkey drippings from this recipe make delicious gravy! Melt ½ stick of butter on medium-low in a non-stick skillet. Add ¼ cup all purpose flour and stir gently to make a paste. Add 2 cups of the pan drippings and whisk vigorously until combined. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken, then taste and season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Information
Yield 3 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 388Total Fat 22gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 17gCholesterol 25mgSodium 963mgCarbohydrates 38gFiber 3gSugar 26gProtein 11g
The nutrition for this recipe is calculated by an app and may be incorrect.
