Roasted Turkey Legs with Rub

turducken 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 can attest, they are absolutely delicious.

Seasoning:
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. dried parsley
½ Tbsp. garlic powder
½ Tbsp. ground sweet paprika
1 tsp. ground cayenne
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
1 lemon zest, freshly grated

Turkey:
3½ lbs turkey leg and thigh portions (1.6 kg)
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 lemon, sliced into rounds (use the zested lemon)
1 red onion, sliced into rounds
2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C/160°C fan, Gas Mark 4). Line a roasting tin with baking paper or foil.

Rub the turkey with olive oil. Combine all the ingredients for the rub and then sprinkle liberally over the turkey on both sides.

Spread the onion, rosemary and lemon slices over the prepared baking pan.

Place the turkey leg on top, skin side down and roast 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 167°F (75°C).

Rest the turkey, loosely covered with foil, for 20-30 minutes. Slice and serve.

Makes 4 servings.

Cook's Notes:

How Do I Know When My 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 times 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.