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Slow Cooker Coconut Turkey Legs + VIDEO

Slow cooker coconut turkey legs uses coconut milk and flavorful spices for a unique spin on a turkey legs recipe. These low-carb, paleo, whole30 turkey legs can also be made in the Instant Pot.

PIN FOR LATER

Updated 2019 with Instant Pot instructions

What Are Turkey Legs?

Turkey legs are the leg of the turkey from the thigh to the knee. Similar to chicken leg drumsticks, turkey legs are dark meat so they’re flavorful and great for the low & slow cooking method of the slow cooker. Most people serve turkey legs at Thanksgiving but I actually serve them year-round.  Being a household of two, I find them to be a more practical and affordable option to cooking a whole turkey or turkey breast. 

coconut sauce for Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Coconut Braised Turkey Legs (Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30)

Thai Inspired Flavors

This recipe has been updated. Originally it was called 5-Ingredients Thai turkey legs that included a lemon-garlic seasoning. It’s still a Thai-inspired dish. I removed the store-bought lemon-garlic seasoning for other spices but it’s still a Thai-flavored recipe using spices that are readily available including cumin, coriander, nutmeg, lime juice, and cilantro.

raw turkey legs in the slow cooker covered in coconut sauce

before (slow cooker)

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 slow cooker or Instant Pot 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.

cooked turkey legs in coconut sauce in the slow cooker

after (slow cooker)

TIPS FOR THIS TURKEY LEGS RECIPE

  • You may need to maneuver your turkey legs around to make them fit in the appliance. It’s okay if they’re overlapping but they shouldn’t be stacked.
  • Use tongs removing the turkey legs from the slow cooker or Instant Pot because they will be hot.

Other turkey recipes you might enjoy:

Turkey Legs

Turkey Breast & Gravy

Leftover Cajun Turkey & Sausage Soup

Turkey Corn Chowder

I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe.

Print
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Coconut Turkey Legs

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  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 mins
  • Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 4 small turkey legs (approximately 2 pounds total)
  • 15 ounces coconut milk
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions

Slow Cooker

  1. Add turkey legs to the slow cooker.
  2. In a medium size bowl mix together coconut milk, lime juice, garlic, salt, cumin, coriander, pepper, and nutmeg. Pour mixture over turkey legs.
  3. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.
  4. Garnish with cilantro before serving.

Instant Pot

  1. Mix together salt, cumin, coriander, pepper, and nutmeg. Sprinkle seasoning evenly over turkey legs.
  2. Pour coconut milk & lime juice into the bottom of the pressure cooker. Add turkey legs on top.
  3. 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.
  4. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Optional but recommended step for both slow cooker & pressure cooker: 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. 

  • Author: Shannon Epstein
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 4 hours

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 208
  • Sugar: 0.5 g
  • Fat: 12.2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2.2 g
  • Fiber: 0.3 g
  • Protein: 21.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 74.6 mg

 

 

 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive money if you make a purchase using one of the links. For more about my disclosure policy see here: https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”h9ZJsUWg” upload-date=”2019-10-22T19:12:51.000Z” name=”Slow Cooker Coconut Turkey Legs” description=”Coconut milk and flavorful spices are used on this low-carb, paleo, and whole30 turkey recipe. Make these turkey legs in your slow cooker or Instant Pot.”]

Slow Cooker Coconut Turkey Legs + VIDEO
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