Oven Slow-Cooked Turkey Leg

large slow roasted turkey leg served with roasted potatoes and a bowl of gravy on a silver platter.

4.62 from 70 votes

I can't think of a tastier and easier way of cooking turkey with tender meat and crispy skin than this turkey leg slow-cooked in the oven.

Prep Time15

Cook Time4

Total Time4 15

Course: Poultry

Cuisine: International

Servings: servings

Calories: 598kcal

Author: Adina

Equipment

Large Dutch oven
Immersion blender

Ingredients

1 large whole turkey leg of about 3.7 lbs/ 1.7 kg, Note 1
2 heaped tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 medium onions
3 garlic cloves
1 medium carrot
1 medium parsley root or 1 piece of celeriac, about the same amount as the carrot
1 small red bell pepper
2 bay leaves
½ cup chicken stock 125 ml
fine sea salt and black pepper

Instructions

Season: Pat dry the turkey leg. Cut it around the joint, if necessary. If your Dutch oven (or similar pot) is large enough, you don't have to do that. Rub the leg with the mustard and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the turkey in the Dutch oven or cast iron oven dish.
1 large whole turkey leg + 2 heaped tablespoons Dijon mustard + fine sea salt and black pepper
Assemble the dish: Quarter the onions and chop all the vegetables into large pieces. Peel, but leave the garlic cloves whole. Place them and the bay leaves in the pot around the turkey leg. Pour in the chicken stock, taking care not to wash away the mustard. Just pour around the leg.
2 medium onions + 3 garlic cloves + 1 medium carrot + 1 medium parsley root + 1 small red bell pepper + 2 bay leaves + ½ cup chicken stock/ 125 ml
Roast: Place the pot in the cold oven and turn the temperature to 300°F/ 150°C. Cook for 3 ½ to 4 hours until the skin is crisp and the meat very tender.
Check from time to time to ensure that the skin doesn't get too dark. If that starts to happen, place a piece of aluminum foil very loosely on top of the pot, just place it on top without pressing it or trying to close the pot.
Rest: Remove the turkey leg from the pot and place it on a warmed plate, cover it loosely with aluminum foil and let rest while you make the sauce.
Gravy: Blend the vegetables with the immersion blender in the pot and adjust the taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with potatoes and vegetables.

Notes

Turkey legs: You can cook smaller turkey legs the same way; they will be done sooner. Make sure to check sooner; the meat should be very tender and the skin crispy and deeply brown.

Nutrition