Jamie Oliver’s Roast Turkey Legs is a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy turkey without roasting an entire bird. The legs are seasoned and slow-roasted, resulting in tender, juicy meat with crispy skin. Perfect for smaller gatherings or as a delicious addition to any feast, this dish is a great alternative to a whole turkey roast.
What is Jamie Oliver Roast Turkey Legs?
This recipe features turkey legs seasoned with herbs, garlic, and lemon, roasted until the meat is tender and the skin is golden and crispy. The slow roasting process ensures the turkey legs remain juicy while the skin develops a deliciously crispy texture.
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Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Simple and Flavorful: Easy to prepare with minimal ingredients, yet packed with flavor.
- Perfect for Smaller Gatherings: A great option if you don’t want to roast a whole turkey.
- Juicy and Tender Meat: Slow roasting ensures the turkey legs stay moist and delicious.
- Crispy Skin: The skin turns golden and crispy, adding a delicious texture.
- Budget-Friendly: Turkey legs are an affordable option compared to a whole bird.
Ingredients Needed to Make Jamie Oliver Roast Turkey Legs
- 2 large turkey legs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 4 garlic cloves (crushed)
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary (chopped)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 200ml chicken or turkey stock
- 2 tbsp butter (optional, for extra richness)
Equipment Needed
- Roasting tin
- Knife and chopping board
- Small bowl for mixing
- Aluminum foil
Instructions to Make Jamie Oliver Roast Turkey Legs
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F) or gas mark 3.
- Prepare the Turkey Legs: Place the turkey legs in a roasting tin. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, crushed garlic, lemon zest, thyme, rosemary, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Rub the mixture all over the turkey legs, ensuring they are well coated.
- Add Lemon Juice and Stock: Squeeze the lemon juice over the turkey legs, then pour the chicken or turkey stock into the roasting tin around the legs. This will help keep the meat moist during roasting.
- Cover and Roast: Cover the roasting tin with aluminum foil to keep the turkey legs from drying out. Place the covered tin in the oven and roast for 1.5 hours.
- Uncover and Crisp the Skin: After 1.5 hours, remove the foil and baste the turkey legs with the juices from the tin. Increase the oven temperature to 200°C (400°F) and roast uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, or until the skin is golden and crispy.
- Rest the Turkey Legs: Once cooked, remove the turkey legs from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the meat tender.
- Serve: Slice the turkey legs and serve with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or gravy.
What Goes Well With Jamie Oliver Roast Turkey Legs
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve with a side of roasted carrots, parsnips, or Brussels sprouts.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes pair perfectly with juicy turkey legs.
- Gravy: Drizzle the turkey legs with rich gravy made from the pan drippings.
- Stuffing: Traditional stuffing adds flavor and texture to the meal.
- Cranberry Sauce: A sweet and tangy cranberry sauce is a classic accompaniment to turkey.
- Green Beans: Lightly steamed or roasted green beans add a fresh element to the meal.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Jamie Oliver Roast Turkey Legs
- Slow Roast for Tender Meat: Cooking the turkey legs at a lower temperature ensures the meat stays moist and tender.
- Baste for Crispy Skin: Basting the turkey legs with the juices halfway through cooking helps achieve crispy, flavorful skin.
- Add Butter for Extra Richness: Dotting the turkey legs with butter before roasting adds an extra layer of richness to the meat.
- Rest the Meat: Let the turkey legs rest for 10 minutes before serving to lock in the juices.
Easy Variations of Jamie Oliver Roast Turkey Legs
- Herb Butter Turkey Legs: Mix softened butter with herbs like sage, parsley, and thyme, and rub it under the skin before roasting.
- Spicy Turkey Legs: Add chili powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper to the seasoning for a spicier version.
- Honey-Glazed Turkey Legs: Brush the turkey legs with a mixture of honey and mustard during the last 15 minutes of roasting for a sweet and tangy glaze.
- Garlic and Lemon Turkey Legs: Increase the amount of garlic and lemon for a more intense flavor.
- Vegetable Roast: Roast the turkey legs on a bed of vegetables like onions, carrots, and potatoes for a complete meal in one pan.
Best Practices to Store Jamie Oliver Roast Turkey Legs
- Refrigerate: Store leftover turkey legs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Turkey legs can be frozen. Cool completely, then wrap in foil and place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat Gently: Reheat the turkey legs in the oven at 160°C (320°F) until warmed through. Cover with foil to prevent drying out.
Best Practices to Reheat Jamie Oliver Roast Turkey Legs
- Oven Reheating: Reheat the turkey legs in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) until heated through, covered with foil to keep them moist.
- Microwave Reheating: For smaller portions, microwave on medium power in short intervals, checking the temperature as you go.
How Can I Make Jamie Oliver Roast Turkey Legs Healthier?
- Reduce the Oil: Use less olive oil or swap it for a cooking spray to cut down on fat.
- Remove the Skin: For a lower-fat option, remove the skin before eating.
- Use Leaner Sides: Serve with lighter sides such as steamed vegetables or a green salad instead of richer options like mashed potatoes or stuffing.
- Use Low-Sodium Stock: Opt for low-sodium chicken or turkey stock to reduce salt content.
Nutrition Value (per serving):
- Calories: 400
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 46g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
Final Words
This Jamie Oliver Roast Turkey leg is the perfect alternative to a whole turkey, offering juicy, flavorful meat with crispy skin. Easy to prepare and versatile, it’s ideal for smaller holiday gatherings or a delicious weeknight dinner. Pair it with your favorite sides, and enjoy the rich, tender turkey legs!
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Jamie Oliver Roast Turkey legs
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 120
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: British
Description
This recipe features turkey legs seasoned with herbs, garlic, and lemon, roasted until the meat is tender and the skin is golden and crispy. The slow roasting process ensures the turkey legs remain juicy while the skin develops a deliciously crispy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large turkey legs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 4 garlic cloves (crushed)
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary (chopped)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 200ml chicken or turkey stock
- 2 tbsp butter (optional, for extra richness)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F) or gas mark 3.
- Prepare the Turkey Legs: Place the turkey legs in a roasting tin. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, crushed garlic, lemon zest, thyme, rosemary, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Rub the mixture all over the turkey legs, ensuring they are well coated.
- Add Lemon Juice and Stock: Squeeze the lemon juice over the turkey legs, then pour the chicken or turkey stock into the roasting tin around the legs. This will help keep the meat moist during roasting.
- Cover and Roast: Cover the roasting tin with aluminum foil to keep the turkey legs from drying out. Place the covered tin in the oven and roast for 1.5 hours.
- Uncover and Crisp the Skin: After 1.5 hours, remove the foil and baste the turkey legs with the juices from the tin. Increase the oven temperature to 200°C (400°F) and roast uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, or until the skin is golden and crispy.
- Rest the Turkey Legs: Once cooked, remove the turkey legs from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the meat tender.
- Serve: Slice the turkey legs and serve with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or gravy.
