The holiday season is a busy time for foodie moms like me. But that’s probably why I love the holidays. And I love turkey, but if we’re not careful, the breast can be so dry. So you know how excited I was when stores started selling thighs and drumsticks separately. Problem solved! Juicy roasted turkey thighs for Thanksgiving is a game-changer.
Ingredient List
How to Roast Turkey Thighs in the Oven
Prep Turkey Thighs
Rinse turkey thighs with water, then pat dry with paper towels. (Photo 1) Season the thighs with salt and pepper, slipping salt under the skin where possible. Herb Butter – Combine butter, minced garlic, sage, rosemary, thyme, paprika, and parsley. (Photo 2) Refrigerate the herb butter until ready to use. You can make it a day or so ahead. Butter Turkey – Loosen up the turkey skin by carefully running your fingers between the skin and the meat; the skin is very fragile, so be careful not to tear it up. Generously rub the thighs with the herb butter combination. Refrigerate until ready to roast (up to 24 hours ahead). (Photo 3)
Roast Turkey Thighs
Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Assemble – Place onion, celery, and thyme in a 3-quart baking dish, then place the thighs on top. (Photo 4) Roast the turkey thighs for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 325°F (163℃). Continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F (74℃) in the thickest part of the thigh (an hour or more, depending on the size of your turkey thighs). (Photos 5-6) Tent – If the thighs are browning too fast, tent them with foil to prevent over-browning. Rest – Remove from the oven and let them sit for 10-15 minutes before carving so the juices settle back into the meat. Reserve turkey drippings for homemade gravy. Serve with mashed potatoes, gravy, and vegetables.
Recipe Variations
Tips for Juicy Turkey Thighs
Make-Ahead and Leftovers
Prep the turkey thighs a day or two in advance, and bake them when ready to enjoy. If you need to roast them ahead, the skin will lose its crispiness. Simply remove it (I can’t resist eating it right then), cool the meat, remove it from the bone, and store it in the fridge for 2-3 days or the freezer for 3-4 months. Many recipes take advantage of precooked meat.
What Goes With Turkey Thighs
A good turkey meal always includes the best sides. Whether it’s the holidays or you’re in the mood for some juicy roasted turkey thighs, mashed potatoes and homemade gravy are always great partners. Seasoned rice is excellent if you want a change from potatoes. Other fabulous sides are broccoli and candied sweet potatoes. And, of course, pumpkin pie for dessert.
More Amazing Thanksgiving Recipes to Try
Watch How to Make It
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”LhGKPOIc” upload-date=”2021-10-28T07:00:00.000Z” name=”Roasted Turkey Thighs” description=”Turn your traditional holiday dinner into an unforgettable memory with deliciously juicy, roasted turkey thighs. The tastiest part of the bird cooked to tender perfection. ” player-type=”collapse” override-embed=”false”] This blog post was originally published in October 2021 and has been updated with additional tips and gorgeous photos
