These roasted turkey drumsticks are rubbed with a seasoned butter-and-oil mixture and oven-baked until tender and flavorful. They’re quick, affordable, and a great addition to a Thanksgiving spread—or a satisfying weeknight meal.
If you’re feeding a crowd for Thanksgiving, adding a few turkey drumsticks is an easy way to boost portions. Drumsticks are inexpensive, cook faster than a whole bird, and are often a favorite with kids and teens.
I usually roast whole turkeys most years, but I also enjoy trying different cuts and methods. Drumsticks are perfect when you have dark-meat lovers at the table or when you need a convenient, flavorful alternative to a big bird.
Whether you’re serving a large group or just a couple of people, this roasted turkey drumsticks recipe adapts well to different sizes and occasions.
Table of contents
- Ingredient Notes
- Turkey Drumsticks vs. Turkey Legs
- How to Make Roasted Turkey Drumsticks
- Tips for the Best Roasted Turkey Drumsticks
- Storage Tips
- Serving Suggestions
Ingredient Notes
- Turkey drumsticks: Common at grocery stores in the fall and holiday season. The recipe is written for 2 drumsticks but can be multiplied to serve more people.
- Butter and oil: Use softened salted butter and a little olive oil to make the rub easy to spread.
- Seasoning: Kosher salt, granulated garlic or garlic powder, dried rubbed sage, dried thyme, and crushed dried rosemary. Paprika—regular or smoked—adds color and flavor; smoked paprika gives a pronounced smoky note, while regular paprika offers color with mild pepperiness. For a balanced smoky flavor, use half smoked and half regular paprika.
Turkey Drumsticks vs. Turkey Legs
The drumstick is the lower portion of the turkey leg. A whole turkey leg includes the drumstick and the thigh. This recipe was developed using drumsticks, but whole turkey legs can be substituted if you prefer.
How to Make Roasted Turkey Drumsticks
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, olive oil, and all seasonings to form a spreadable rub.
- Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels. Gently loosen the skin about halfway down each drumstick and spread a portion of the rub under the skin. Smooth the skin back into place and coat the outside of each drumstick with the remaining rub, including the ends.
- Arrange the seasoned drumsticks on the wire rack and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Then reduce the oven to 325°F, flip the drumsticks, and roast for another 25–30 minutes, or until the thickest part reaches 175°F.
Tips for the Best Roasted Turkey Drumsticks
Prepping: Let drumsticks sit at room temperature while the oven preheats and pat them dry so the butter rub adheres well.
Use a wire rack: Roasting on a rack keeps the meat elevated so fat and juices drip away, which helps the skin crisp more evenly. Lining the baking sheet with foil makes cleanup easier.
Internal temperature: Dark meat benefits from a slightly higher safe temperature. Cook drumsticks to 175°F for fully cooked, tender meat; 165°F can leave the juices less clear in dark cuts.
Crispy skin: If you prefer extra-crispy skin, briefly broil at the end of the cooking time to lightly brown and crisp the surface—flip to crisp both sides as needed.
Storage Tips
- Leftovers: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat wrapped in foil in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until warmed through.
- Freezing raw drumsticks: Purchase extra drumsticks when available and freeze them for future meals. Vacuum-sealed drumsticks keep up to 9 months; wrapped tightly in foil and placed in a freezer bag, use within 4–6 months to minimize freezer burn.
Serving Suggestions
Feeding a crowd: Add roasted drumsticks to a larger holiday buffet alongside roasted turkey, beef tenderloin, ham, or pork loin to increase portion options and appeal to dark-meat lovers.
Small gatherings: For a small Thanksgiving menu, let drumsticks be the centerpiece with simple sides such as stovetop stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted squash, and warm rolls for a cozy, satisfying meal.
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Roasted Turkey Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 2 turkey drumsticks, approximately 1 pound each
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika, regular or smoked (or half and half)
- 1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried crushed rosemary
Instructions
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Remove drumsticks from the refrigerator and let them rest at room temperature while the oven preheats to 400°F. Place a metal rack on a large rimmed sheet pan.
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Combine the butter, olive oil, and seasonings in a small bowl and set aside.
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Pat drumsticks dry. Loosen the skin partway down each drumstick and smear some rub beneath the skin. Press the skin back into place and coat the outside with the remaining rub. Place the drumsticks on the rack.
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Bake for 20 minutes at 400°F. Reduce oven to 325°F, flip the drumsticks, and roast 25–30 minutes more, or until the thickest portion reaches 175°F.
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For crispier skin, broil briefly at the end of cooking to brown the surface, flipping to crisp both sides as desired.
Nutrition
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Calories: 714kcal
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Carbohydrates: 2g
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Protein: 74g
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Fat: 44g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients and is an estimate. For more accurate results, refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.
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