This one pan Roasted Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks is perfect for a small gathering. Short on time? Feeding a small crew? In just a couple of hours you can put a delicious Thanksgiving dinner on the table. Mix and match a few of your favorite side dishes and you’re all set!

Roasted Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks

Roasting a whole turkey can be intimidating. I would know, I had to roast a huge 24 pound turkey a couple of years ago and I was a nervous wreck about it. Luckily my mother-in-law only needed me to host that one year, because my in-laws were remodeling their kitchen. However that one time was enough for me. After that year’s Thanksgiving, I had a whole new appreciation for my mother-in-law and the work she goes through to put on Thanksgiving dinner every year. And she roasts TWO turkeys!

Now this roasted turkey thighs and drumsticks recipe is more my speed. My grocery store sells turkey thighs and drumsticks separately (I was hoping they had a bone-in breast too, but they do not) and I had this idea of making a one-pan thanksgiving jam. I roasted the turkey thighs and drumsticks similar to how I roast chicken, while somewhat following how my own mom roasts a whole turkey.

Aka with lots of butter.

Close up of Roasted Turkey Thigh.

It only take a couple of hours in the oven and yet my whole house smelled like Thanksgiving Day.

Roasted Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks ingredients.

To Make This Roasted Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks You Will Need:

  • turkey thighs and drumsticks
  • unsalted butter
  • kosher salt
  • ground black pepper
  • poultry seasoning
  • baby Yukon gold potatoes

You can roast as little or as many turkey pieces as you need. I’m roasting 5-1/2 pounds. Three pounds in thighs and 2-1/2 pounds in drumsticks, this would probably feed a family of 4 or 5 easily. But if you have a large roasting pan, you could definitely roast more, just adjust the butter and seasonings amounts.

pat dry turkey with paper towel.

Preheat your oven to 350℉ (or 180℃).

I find it easy to prep everything on a metal, rimmed baking sheet. You don’t want to actually roast the turkey on this, there will be way to much liquids it will overflow.

Start by patting the turkey dry with paper towel.

butter under turkey skin.

Insert your finger underneath the skin and gently but firmly pull the skin away from the flesh. Using super soft butter, massage a little butter under the skin and into the turkey meat. Then rub the entire outside of each piece of turkey with butter.

pan full of seasoned turkey thighs and drumsticks.

Place the turkey pieces into your lightly oiled roasting pan and season with kosher salt, black pepper and poultry seasoning. Cover your pan tightly with aluminum foil and slide the roasting pan onto the middle rack of your preheated 350° oven. Roast [covered] for 1 hour, rotating the pan halfway through.

partially roasted turkey thighs and drumsticks.

turkey skin is starting to crisp.

Use oven mitts to tip the pan a little and use a spoon to baste the turkey pieces generously with the pan drippings.

add potatoes to the pan.

turkey and potatoes go back in the oven.

Then arrange halved Yukon gold baby potato around your turkey pieces and use the pan drippings to drizzle over the potatoes as well.

first season potatoes with salt and pepper.

Next season the potatoes with kosher salt and black pepper before sliding back into your oven [uncovered] for 20 minutes. Then remove and baste. Roast for 20 more minutes and repeating this step one more time. For a total of 40 to 60 minutes.

Or until the potatoes are tender and the turkey is fully cooked and the skin is deliciously crisp and brown.

Roasted Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks in a roasting sheet pan.

I really wish you could smell this!

Serving Roasted Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks family style on a large platter.

I served the turkey on a giant platter along with the potatoes. Then, if making this for Thanksgiving, I’d serve it with some of my favorite side dishes, like broccoli casserole, green bean almondine, maple balsamic roasted Brussels sprouts or bacon and leek stuffing.

Also, you can use the pan drippings to make an excellent gravy.

platter of Roasted Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks.

Skin so crispy and perfectly seasoned I could just die.

close up of Roasted Turkey drumstick.

Enjoy! And if you give this Sheet Pan Roasted Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Roasted Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks and potatoes on a serving platter.

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Yield: 5 servings

Easy Roasted Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks

This one pan Roasted Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks is perfect for a small gathering. Short on time? Feeding a small crew? In just a couple of hours you can put a delicious Thanksgiving dinner on the table. Mix and match a few of your favorite side dishes and you're all set!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 turkey thighs, about 3 pounds
  • 3 turkey drumsticks, about 2½ pounds
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper
  • poultry seasoning
  • 2 pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes, cut in half

Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 350℉ (or 180℃).
  • Drizzle olive oil into the bottom of a roasting pan.
  • Pat the turkey thighs and drumsticks dry with paper towel.
  • Insert your finger under the neat the skin of all turkey pieces, gently separating the skin from the flesh. Rub softened butter underneath the skin and over top of each turkey piece.
  • Season with salt and pepper and place into your prepared roasting pan.
  • Sprinkle with poultry seasoning and cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.
  • Roast the turkey on the middle rack of your preheated oven for 1 hour. Remove foil, and using oven mitts, tip the roasting pan and baste the turkey pieces with the pan juices.
  • Add in the potato halves, baste, season with salt and pepper and continue to roast uncovered for 20 minutes. Totally 40 to 60 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and the turkey is fully cooked and the skin is deliciously crisp and brown. I use an instant read thermometer and insert it into the thigh (avoiding the bone) to get an accurate temperature of 165°F.
  • Once roasted, remove the turkey thighs and drumsticks from the pan and place on a platter and scatter with potatoes. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes or so tented under foil before serving.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 895kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 83g, Fat: 47g, Saturated Fat: 18g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g, Monounsaturated Fat: 16g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 325mg, Sodium: 315mg, Potassium: 1878mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 436IU, Vitamin C: 36mg, Calcium: 95mg, Iron: 8mg