Slow cooker turkey legs is a simple recipe that produces seasoned, tender turkey leg meat. Slow cooking turkey legs in a crockpot allows them to cook low & slow, which can help break down tough connective tissues and result in super juicy meat. Instructions to make these turkey legs in the Instant Pot are also included. Switch things up this holiday season and cook your turkey legs in the crockpot!
Ingredients For Crockpot Turkey Legs
There are only 3 ingredients in this easy turkey slow cooker recipe.
- Turkey Legs
- Seasonings: I like to use a homemade rotisserie inspired seasoning. It’s included in the recipe box. Feel free to use your own seasoning.
- Oil
How To Make Turkey Legs In The Slow Cooker
Prepare The Turkey Legs
- Mix seasonings together in a small bowl.
- Rub oil evenly over each turkey legs and rub mixture generously on each turkey leg.
- Add the prepared turkey legs to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.
- Pour water into the bottom of the pressure cooker. Add the prepared turkey legs on top.
- Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 25 minutes (make sure internal temperature for the turkey is 165° Fahrenheit). Natural release 10 minutes then quick release remaining pressure.
Optional but recommended step for both slow cooker & Instant Pot: Use tongs (the turkey legs will be hot) and remove them from the appliance. Place the turkey legs on a baking sheet and BROIL them in the oven for approximately 3-5 minutes to crisp the skin.
What Are Turkey Legs
Why You Should Cook Turkey Legs In The Crock-Pot
Turkey Soups
Homemade Seasoning
This uses my homemade rotisserie seasoning. It’s enough for up to a 4 pounds of turkey legs without having to make any adjustments to the measurements. Anything larger you might want to use more seasonings. Of course you can always use your preferred seasoning for turkey recipe.
Broil The Skin
After the turkey legs are done slow cooking, I like to broil the turkey legs in the oven to crisp the skin. This is an optional but recommended step. If you choose to do this, use tongs to remove the turkey legs from the appliance because they will be hot. The meat will also be very tender. My turkey legs usually fall apart a bit when I take them out.
FAQs & Tips
- You may need to maneuver your turkey legs around to make them fit in the slow cooker. It’s okay if the turkey legs overlap a bit but they should not be stacked.
- Use tongs removing the turkey legs from the slow cooker or Instant Pot because they will be hot.
- Store leftover turkey legs in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe.
Turkey Recipes
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Turkey Breast
-
Turkey Tenderloin
-
Whole Turkey
-
Air Fryer Turkey Breast Tenderloin
-
Smothered Turkey Wings
Slow Cooker Turkey Legs
Slow cooker turkey legs is an easy turkey recipe that produces seasoned, tender turkey meat. Slow cooking turkey legs in a crockpot allows them to cook low & slow, which can help break down tough connective tissues and result in juicy meat. Using only a few ingredients including a simple, homemade seasoning, this turkey leg recipe is a true set-it-and-forget it recipe. Instructions to make this easy turkey legs recipe in the Instant Pot are also included. Switch things up this holiday season and cook your turkey legs in the crockpot!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 4 medium-size turkey legs (approximately 2-3 pounds total)
- 1 tablespoon oil of your choice
- 1 cup water (for Instant Pot only)
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or more)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
Prepare The Turkey Legs
- Mix seasonings together in a small bowl.
- Rub oil evenly over each turkey legs and rub mixture generously on each turkey leg.
- Add the prepared turkey legs to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.
- Pour water into the bottom of the pressure cooker. Add the prepared turkey legs on top.
- Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 25 minutes (make sure internal temperature for the turkey is 165° Fahrenheit). Natural release 10 minutes then quick release remaining pressure.
Optional but recommended step for both slow cooker & Instant Pot: Use tongs (the turkey legs will be hot) and remove them from the appliance. Place the turkey legs on a baking sheet and BROIL them in the oven for approximately 3-5 minutes to crisp the skin.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 189
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 642.5 mg
- Fat: 12.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.4 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 16.1 g
- Cholesterol: 55.9 mg
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40 thoughts on “Slow Cooker Turkey Legs + VIDEO”
These turned out great! Thanks for the recipe!
Made these for this Thanksgiving for just myself, OMG, they were so good. Never really liked the leg of the turkey because it was always dry, this was fall off the bone goodness. So glad I made these and was able to freeze five 4 oz portions with the gravy I made. Definitely putting this in my freezer meal planning.
I’ve used slow cookers before and I’ve used this spice blend before so I wasn’t expecting anything extraordinarily. I also didn’t think turkey leg meat could be fall off the bone. Wow. The whole thing was phenomenal. This will be part of my rotation now. Thank you!
I make these year-round. They come out perfect.
I almost tried another turkey leg recipe but I was turned off because it has ketchup in it. YUCK. I’m so glad I went with this recipe because it was delicious. And so easy to make. I am going to make this again for Christmas!
Ketchup on turkey legs…interesting. I’m so glad you found this recipe and enjoyed it!
Hi Shannon,
I’m from Australia and I just wanted to thank you SO much for posting this recipe! I bought a pair of turkey legs on a whim (good price) but without a clear idea of how I was going to prepare them. I am an experienced cook but have had little to do with both turkey and slow cookers. I feel like I have discovered a whole new world. Dry slow cooking! Moist turkey! This is a great quality protein meal with a fantastic effort to reward ratio!
I’ve also just tasted the cooking liquid after mixing it with a little cream…Oh My God. It will go very nicely with some garlicky, buttery kale rice.
So…from across the globe, THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for this recipe. My family raved about it and I have used it many times now. Thank you
making this recipe tonight & then pull all the meat off and add to my collards. Thank You
This is the best turkey leg recipe I have ever had. We followed the recipe to a tee.
Can I do the broiling on the front end before putting the turkey legs into the crock pot, kind of like searing them to contain the juices?
Absolutely delicious. Easy too.
No water in the crock pot? Also how long on high or low?
Can I throw some turkey thighs in with the legs
Absolutely. Fantastic idea!
I made this for Christmas during covid when it was just my husband and me. I now make it on a regular basis when I can find turkey lets. The seasoning blend is perfect. Thanks for such a great recipe.
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoy the recipe. The blend is pretty dang good if I must say so myself. I use it on chicken, pork, and beef:-)
@Shannon Epstein,
This recipe is a winner. I followed the instructions to a tee and the turkey legs came out delicious!
Love turkey but not the legs so much and part of that is the toughness of them. Im excited to give this a try. Approximaely how long do you broil the legs and do you turn them Also so you do not have to turn on the oven in summer, would these fit in a 6 qt air fryer to crisp up and how long in an air fryer. I do have a 10 qt for when Im prepping food and know they would fit there but it is kind of pain. Thx
What is cook time in slow cooker if turkey brumsticks are precook!
If they’re already precooked, essentially you’re just reheating them. While I haven’t tried it, I would slow cook HIGH 1-2 hours or LOW 2-4.
what kid of Liquid do you use in the crook pot
No liquid is used for the crockpot. What you see in the pics is the natural juices that evaporate from the food while slow cooking. Enjoy!
So good! Wouldn’t change a thing.
Trying these today! Happy Thanksgiving!
This so good! Clarifying question – should they be submerged in the water or placed on a trivet in a pressure cooker? I did trivet and they were just a tad dry but still delicious! Thank you!
I did not use a trivet, I put the legs directly in the liquid.
I’m excited to try this recipe tomorrow morning! Question: it looks like you have foil or something under the wings in the instant pot? Thank you!
And if I wanted to do a gravy, could I use almond or coconut flour?
I made these in my instant pot and broiled 2 minutes per side after removing. They were very good, and the juices made an excellent gravy thickened with casava flour. I am making this again at my spouse’s request.
I forgot to mention that I used a tablespoon of olive oil as I had no ghee
I have 2 very large turkey legs total weight of 1.8kg how long should I cook them for in the slow cooker on low. I was thinking around 9 hrs. What do you think?
I’ve been looking for a simple recipe like this. I used to love turkey parts in the slow cooker and since I got my IP i havent used the cooker for 2 years! May I say, 4 drumsticks @ 1/2 lb. will be 2 lbs of turkey.
This looks amazing! Is the skin soft, and if so, could I broil them for a few minutes at the end to make it crispier?
Thanks! You are correct, the skin will e soft. Yes you can absolutely broil them!
Wife made these- WAAAAAAAY better than Disneyland!
Turned out Perfect! Was a bit worried they’d be drive, but not at all. Wish I added 2 more to the crockpot for leftovers. Will definitely make this again real soon!
NICE! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for the feedback.
I have 2 very large turkey legs total weight of 1.8kg how long should I cook them for in the slow cooker on low. I was thinking around 9 hrs. What do you think?
I think you’re 100% correct. Enjoy!