Buying poultry in sections instead of buying the whole bird can be a prudent approach to budgeting food costs. The drum, or drumstick, of a turkey consists of the leg without the thigh meat. Baking the drumsticks takes some of the fat out of the meat while keeping the turkey tender and juicy. Turkey legs are large enough to do well as a main dish and let you to try something a little different for dinner.
Step 1
Place frozen turkey drums in the refrigerator and allow them to thaw overnight.
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 3
Lay the drums out in a single layer, skin side up, on the bottom of a baking dish. Try to avoid allowing the drums to touch, as this may cause sticking.
Step 4
Melt 2 tbsp. of butter or margarine in the microwave. Brush the surface of the legs with the melted butter.
Step 5
Season the drumsticks with salt and ground black pepper, or use a commercial poultry seasoning.
Step 6
Pour 2 cups of water into the baking dish and then cover the pan with aluminum foil.
Step 7
Bake the turkey legs for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Remove the foil. Bake the drums for an additional 10 minutes to allow the skin to become crispy.
Step 8
Stick a meat thermometer into a thick section of the drum. Avoid letting the sensor touch the bone of the drumstick. When the internal temperature of the meat reaches between 170 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the pan and serve the drumsticks.
Tips and Warnings
- If making gravy for the turkey, pour off the liquid from the bottom of the baking dish into your sauce pan.
- Never allow poultry to thaw at room temperature. This may allow bacteria to grow.
Things You'll Need
- 2 or 3 large turkey drumsticks
- Baking dish
- 2 tbsp. butter or margarine
- Basting brush
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Poultry seasoning
- 2 cups water
- Aluminum foil
- Meat thermometer
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