Tillie Doyle
Slow cooking turkey drumsticks in a crock pot is an easy and convenient way to make a delicious, tender, and juicy meal. It is also a great way to cook less expensive portions of meat, making them more tasty than other forms of cookery. Before cooking, it is important to note that turkey legs should be thawed in the refrigerator if frozen, and then patted dry with paper towels. You can also brine the meat in a saltwater brine for at least four hours before cooking to make it even juicier.
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What You'll Learn
Turkey legs should be thawed before cooking
Cooking frozen turkey legs in a crock pot will result in unevenly cooked meat, with the potential for the outside to be dry while the inside is still frozen. For this reason, it is best to thaw turkey legs before cooking them.
Turkey legs can be thawed in a few different ways. One option is to use the refrigerator method, which is the recommended method as it does not require any additional labour. However, this method requires planning as it takes longer than other methods. Another option is cold water thawing, which can completely thaw a 15-pound turkey within seven to eight hours. This method requires more attention but is ideal if you need to thaw and cook the turkey on the same day. To use this method, place the turkey in a leak-proof plastic bag, remove excess air, and seal the bag. Then, fill a large container with regular tap water and submerge the bagged turkey in it. Be sure to change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is completely thawed. A third option is to thaw the turkey in the microwave, though this method requires consulting the owner's manual to determine the size of the turkey that will fit, the minutes per pound, and the power level to use.
Once the turkey legs have been thawed, they can be prepared for cooking in the crock pot. One suggested method is to first pan-fry the drumsticks before placing them in the crock pot. Another method is to apply seasonings to the turkey legs and place them in the crock pot without adding any extra liquids, as this will help the skin to crisp. After cooking, the drumsticks can be broiled in the oven to achieve a crispy texture.
It is important to note that a thawed turkey may be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days before cooking. Additionally, a solidly frozen turkey will take at least 50% longer to cook than a thawed turkey. Therefore, it is generally best to plan ahead and thaw turkey legs before cooking them in a crock pot.
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Brining the meat for four hours beforehand
Brining the turkey drumsticks for four hours before placing them in the crock pot is an excellent way to ensure the meat is juicy and tender. The brining process involves submerging the drumsticks in a mixture of saltwater and sugar. The salt in the brine helps to tenderise the meat by breaking down the muscle fibres, resulting in moist and succulent turkey legs.
To brine the turkey drumsticks, start by preparing a brine solution. Dissolve a generous amount of salt and a smaller amount of sugar in a container of water. You can adjust the amounts of salt and sugar to your taste, but ensure the brine is adequately salty as this is key to tenderising the meat. It is important to completely submerge the drumsticks in the brine, so use a container that is large enough to accommodate the meat and the brine.
Once the brine is prepared, submerge the turkey drumsticks in the solution and leave them to brine for at least four hours. This duration gives the brine enough time to work its magic, ensuring the meat fibres unravel and the flavours infuse. If you have the time, you can even leave the drumsticks in the brine overnight for an even more intense flavour and tender texture.
After brining, remove the drumsticks from the solution and pat them dry with paper towels. At this stage, the drumsticks are ready for the next step in your crock pot cooking process. You can choose to season the drumsticks with a variety of spices and herbs, such as chilli powder, paprika, thyme, cumin, garlic powder, or the classic combination of salt and black pepper.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time for turkey drumsticks in a crock pot can vary depending on the desired level of doneness and the specific crock pot being used. It is important to ensure that the turkey drumsticks reach an internal temperature of 165° F to avoid food safety risks.
One recipe suggests cooking the drumsticks on low heat for 6 hours until they are tender. Another recipe recommends cooking them for 5 to 5-and-a-half hours on low heat or until they are tender. This recipe also includes the option to cook the drumsticks on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, which will reduce the cooking time.
It is worth noting that some recipes call for browning or pan-frying the drumsticks before placing them in the crock pot. This step can add flavour and texture to the final dish. Additionally, if you prefer crispier skin, you can place the drumsticks under the broiler for a few minutes after cooking them in the crock pot.
When checking the doneness of the turkey drumsticks, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the drumstick, avoiding the bone, to get an accurate reading. Letting the drumsticks rest for about 10 minutes before serving helps redistribute the juices and prevents the meat from drying out.
Cooking frozen turkey drumsticks is not recommended as it can result in uneven cooking and dry meat. It is best to thaw frozen drumsticks in the refrigerator before cooking them in the crock pot.
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Adding vegetables
When cooking turkey drumsticks in a crock pot, it is common to add vegetables to the dish. The vegetables are placed in the crock pot first, with the drumsticks placed on top. This ensures that the turkey is cooked thoroughly and absorbs the flavours of the vegetables and seasonings.
A variety of vegetables can be used, including potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic. In addition to the vegetables, it is also common to add broth or water to the crock pot. This helps to create a moist environment for the turkey to cook in and can also be used to create gravy to accompany the dish.
When preparing the vegetables, it is recommended to cut them into small, evenly sized pieces. This ensures that they cook evenly and at the same rate as the turkey. It is also important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of vegetables used. For example, root vegetables like potatoes and carrots tend to take longer to cook than leafy greens.
Some recipes suggest browning the drumsticks in a skillet before placing them in the crock pot. This adds a crispy texture to the dish and can also help to seal in the juices. However, it is not necessary, and the drumsticks can be placed directly in the crock pot if preferred.
To elevate the dish further, seasonings such as salt, pepper, thyme, parsley, and paprika can be added to the vegetables before placing the drumsticks on top. This infuses the vegetables and turkey with flavour, resulting in a more complex and tasty dish.
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Removing the skin
When preparing turkey drumsticks in a crock pot, the skin can be removed both before and after cooking, depending on your preference.
Some people prefer to remove the skin before cooking to prevent the dish from becoming greasy. Removing the skin allows the meat to absorb the flavours of the cooking liquid more effectively. If you choose to remove the skin before cooking, you can apply seasonings to the meat and place the drumsticks in the crock pot without adding any extra liquid. This method helps to crisp the skin and enhance the flavour of the meat.
On the other hand, some people choose to leave the skin on during cooking to retain moisture and juiciness in the meat. In this case, you can place the turkey drumsticks in the crock pot with a small amount of water or broth and cook them until tender. After cooking, you can remove the skin before serving to reduce the fat content.
It is worth noting that leaving the skin on during cooking may affect the absorption of flavours by the meat. The skin acts as a barrier, preventing the meat from fully absorbing the flavours of the cooking liquid.
Additionally, you can achieve crispy skin by placing the turkey drumsticks under the broiler for a few minutes after cooking. This step is optional but can add a desirable texture and flavour to the dish.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 5 to 8 hours to cook turkey drumsticks in a crock pot on a low setting. On a high setting, it takes 3 to 4 hours.
The most basic seasoning consists of salt and black pepper. You can add other spices such as chili powder, paprika, thyme, cumin, and garlic powder. If you want your seasonings to penetrate the meat, coat the drumsticks with oil or butter before adding the spices.
It is best to thaw frozen turkey legs before cooking. Cooking frozen turkey legs will lead to uneven cooking and potentially dry meat.
If you want crispy skin, you can place the turkey legs under a broiler for a few minutes after cooking.
