Description
This recipe for Baked Turkey Drumsticks offers a flavorful and easy way to enjoy tender, juicy turkey without roasting a whole bird. Seasoned with a fragrant blend of herbs and spices and baked to perfection, these drumsticks provide a delicious main course that pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey
- 2 turkey drumsticks (about 2.5 pounds total)
Seasoning & Butter
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the turkey drumsticks evenly.
- Prepare the Drumsticks: Pat the turkey drumsticks dry thoroughly with paper towels to help the seasoning stick and promote browning.
- Season the Turkey: Place the drumsticks in a baking dish and drizzle melted butter over them. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, thyme, dried parsley flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika evenly. Rub all the seasonings onto the turkey drumsticks thoroughly to ensure full flavor coverage.
- Bake the Drumsticks: Put the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 60 minutes. After the first 30 minutes, remove the turkey and baste it using a basting brush with the sauce formed at the bottom of the pan. This keeps the drumsticks moist and infuses extra flavor.
- Check for Doneness: Use a digital thermometer to check the temperature by inserting it into the thickest part of a drumstick. The turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 170°F (77°C).
- Serve: Once cooked, remove from the oven and serve the baked turkey drumsticks hot. They pair perfectly with mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables for a hearty meal.
Notes
- These Baked Turkey Drumsticks are a great alternative to cooking a whole turkey, offering the same great flavor without the hassle.
- The herb and spice blend creates a perfectly balanced, savory taste that enhances the richness of the turkey.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is safely cooked without drying it out.
- For best results, baste halfway through cooking to keep the meat moist and flavorful.
- Serve with mashed potatoes and your favorite vegetable sides for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drumstick
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 1124 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.03 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 66 g
- Cholesterol: 242 mg
