Roasted Turkey Thighs

Worth cooking

• So easy! You just dry rub seasoning on the meat and put it in the preheated oven. Also, since this is dark meat, it is hard to overcook it and make it tough.
• Perfect for everyday dinner! Although you can make this for a small holiday dinner, it is also suitable for casual weekdays or weeknights. Just pair this main dish with your favorite side dishes, such as white rice, cranberry sauce, or sweet potatoes!
• So tasty! The easy combination of dried herbs and spices used here yields really tasty meat! You’ll love how much flavor it has, especially the crispy skin side.

Love roasted meat? Also, try the Perfect Roast Chicken and Herb Roasted Duck.

• Yield: 4 servings
• Prep: 10 minutes
• Cook: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Total: 1 hour 25 minutes

Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients you need for tasty Turkey Thighs.

• Turkey Thighs: The thighs should be brought to room temperature and patted dry with paper towels before cooking. When selecting the meat from the grocery store, make sure to choose high-quality, fresh turkey.
• Olive Oil: For crisping up the skin of the turkey thighs. You could substitute the olive oil with any neutral-tasting oil, such as canola oil. Melted butter is also a perfect alternative.
• Spices and Herbs: We use a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried parsley in addition to table salt (or kosher salt) and black pepper. You can mix them in a small bowl to make the seasoning blend.

For the full list of ingredients with measurements, check out the recipe card below.

How To Roast Turkey Thighs

Here is how to roast turkey thighs in 3 easy steps. It is truly one of the easiest roasted turkey recipes you will ever make!

1. Pat turkey thighs dry, drizzle on the olive oil and rub on all the seasonings.

2. Place the turkey thighs into the oven to roast at 375 degrees Fahrenheit and baste with pan drippings after 30 minutes. Let it roast, then baste again after 30 minutes. Baste twice in total using either a baster or a basting brush to produce tender meat.

3. Let the turkey thighs rest for about 10 minutes before serving. Letting the meat rest allows the juices to redistribute, making for juicy turkey meat.

Basting the top of the turkey as it roasts is the best way to create crispier skin. Also, we find basting meats one of the most relaxing things to do while cooking.

Pantry notes

• Different turkey parts – Try the same seasoning blend here on other turkey parts, such as turkey drumsticks, wings, or whole turkey legs. Just remember: roast turkey legs are much thicker since they have both the thigh and drumstick, so it takes a longer time to cook them. Nevertheless, it will taste notable and likely remind you of Disney World turkey legs!
• Ultra juicy – Add chicken broth (or stock) to the roasting pan or baking dish and let the thighs cook in the chicken stock as they roast.
• Spicy – Add crushed pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend to make it spicy.
• One pan meal – Add cubed potatoes, carrots, and brussels sprouts to the same pan as the turkey thighs and roast together to create a one pan dinner. Serve with fresh lemon slices for an excellent presentation!

Also, check out our Baked Turkey Drumsticks and Lemon Pepper Turkey Wings.

Cook notes

• Everyone knows that roasted turkey tastes even better the next day! If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This is better than only using plastic wrap. For longer storage, freeze them and thaw them in the refrigerator before reheating them.
• If you want to make less servings, you can adjust the recipe as needed and cook the turkey thighs in a large dutch oven with veggies for a satisfying dinner.
• If you have a medically restrictive diet, such as a low-sodium diet, you can make some adjustments to the recipe. For instance, only use 1 teaspoon salt or omit it entirely. If you have a low-calorie diet, you can always pair the meat with low-calorie sides, such as cauliflower rice! It is easy to adjust this recipe accordingly if you need to watch your daily values.
• If you wish, you can make air fryer turkey thighs instead of oven roasted. However, you must have a large air fryer and work in batches. To compare, air-fried turkey thighs can be cooked at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-35 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. Make sure not to crowd the basket, and check the internal temperature with a thermometer before serving.

Cook notes

To ensure the Roasted Turkey Thighs are fully cooked, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of a thigh. If the internal temperature reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit and up, then it is done. It is okay if it reads up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature range, the turkey skin should be golden brown.

What To Serve With Roasted Turkey Thighs

• Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes
• Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
• Sautéed Vegetables
• Garlic Butter Rolls
• Fried Carrots
• Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

Ingredients

• 4 pounds turkey thighs, 2 large thighs
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder, or granules
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil

Method

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 9 by 13 inch baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2. Pat turkey thighs dry with paper towels.
3. Drizzle the olive oil over the turkey thighs.
4. Mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, and dried thyme, and rub the seasoning mix all over the turkey thighs, getting some under the turkey skin.
5. Place the seasoned turkey thighs on the prepared sheet pan. Place into the preheated oven and roast for about 1 hour 15 minutes until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh without touching the bone reads 165°F and above. After the first 30 minutes of roasting, remove the turkey thighs and baste with the juices at the bottom of the pan. Repeat basting after the thighs have been roasting for one hour. So baste twice in total.
6. Serve with your favorite side dish.