roasted turkey thigh Transform your traditional holiday dinner into an unforgettable memory. Honestly, it’s the tastiest part of this holiday bird. Everyone will drool over this fall-off-the-bone tender turkey, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and slathered in delicious homemade gravy. Who said you can’t have it all?
The holiday season is a busy time for foodie moms like me. But maybe that’s why I like holidays. I love turkey, but the breast can get very dry if I’m not careful.
So you know how excited I was when stores started selling thighs and drumsticks separately. Problem solved! Juicy roasted turkey thighs for Thanksgiving are a game-changer.
Why roast turkey thighs make a juicy main course
First, turkey thighs are dark meat, so they contain a lot of fat that imparts flavor. The higher the fat content, the juicier the meat will be. Additionally, you can’t overcook the turkey thigh. Turkey breasts can become dry if overcooked, but thighs that are roasted in the oven are even more tender.
Ingredient list
- turkey thighs -The star of the show has the classic turkey flavor with all the juicy goodness of a thigh. Turkey legs also work well in this recipe. Before making the herb butter, season it with a little S&P.
- herb butter – Butter, garlic, sage, rosemary, paprika, and parsley add juiciness and give it a flavorful feel to the chicken seasoning that is a Thanksgiving specialty.
- vegetables – Thyme-seasoned onions and celery add a delicious kick. Add potatoes and carrots for a one-pot meal.
How to roast turkey thighs in the oven
Preparing turkey thighs
- rinse Wash the turkey thighs and pat dry with paper towels. (Photo 1)
- season Season the thighs with salt and pepper, rubbing the salt under the skin as much as possible.
- herb butter – Mix butter, minced garlic, sage, rosemary, thyme, paprika, and parsley. (Photo 2) Refrigerate herb butter until ready to use. You can also make it about a day in advance.
- butter turkey – Carefully run your fingers between the skin and meat of the turkey to loosen it. The skin is very fragile, so be careful not to tear it. Rub your thighs generously with the herbal butter combination. Refrigerate until ready to roast (up to 24 hours in advance). (Photo 3)
roasted turkey thigh
- preheat Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- assemble – Place onion, celery, and thyme in a 3-quart baking dish and place thighs on top. (Photo 4)
- roast Cook the turkey thigh for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 325°F (163°C). Continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh (1 hour or more, depending on the size of the turkey’s thighs). (Photos 5-6)
- tent – If the thighs are browning too quickly, cover them with foil to prevent them from browning too much.
- rest – Remove from the oven and let stand for 10-15 minutes before cutting to allow the juices to return to the meat. Reserve your turkey drip homemade gravy sauce.
- serve Served with mashed potatoes, gravy and vegetables.
Recipe variations
- Replace the classic chicken seasoning blend with: Jamaican jerk, creoleor italian seasoning.
- This recipe is perfect for: roasted chicken Leg quarters, thighs, legs. Just shorten the cooking time to compensate for smaller birds.
- addition more vegetables into the mix. Potatoes, carrots, parsnips, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, etc. The more I have, the happier I am.
Tips for juicy turkey thighs
- Let the meat rest for 10 minutes to reabsorb the juices.
- Slice turkey as desired. Cutting it into smaller pieces will dry it faster.
- Don’t waste that drip. 😱 Turn your mashed potatoes into a smothering, flavorful gravy.
pre-made and leftovers
Prepare the turkey thigh 1-2 days in advance and bake it when you’re ready to eat it. If you bake it first, the skin will lose its crispiness. Take it out (at that point you can’t resist and eat it), let the meat cool, remove it from the bones, and store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or in the freezer for 3-4 months. Many recipes utilize cooked meat.
What goes well with turkey thighs
A delicious turkey meal always includes the best accompaniments. Whether you’re on holiday or in the mood for some juicy roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and homemade gravy sauce Always a great partner.
cooked rice Perfect if you want to make a change from potatoes. Other great aspects are: broccoli and candied sweet potato. And of course, pumpkin pie For dessert.
More great Thanksgiving recipes to try
- smoked turkey leg
- Sweet potato casserole with pecans
- pineapple honey glazed ham
- green bean casserole
- pecan pie
See how to make
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This blog post was originally published in October 2021 and updated with additional tips and gorgeous photos.
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