Turkey thighs are a great alternative to a whole roasted turkey if you don't need to feed a big crowd. They're flavorful and juicy, with a delicious, slightly crispy skin. Serve them with turkey gravy made from their own juices for a fantastic holiday meal.
For a small celebration
This is a perfect recipe for a small holiday celebration and also as a change for weeknights when you don't want to serve chicken or pasta again.
Roasted turkey thighs are rich, flavorful and versatile with seasonings. They fit in any oven and can be frozen. Similar to the pork roast with apples, it can be a change of pace for the holidays.
- Easier and faster: This is a great alternative to a whole turkey if you don't have to feed many for Thanksgiving.
- Perfect portions: They are just the right size for individual servings, making them ideal for smaller gatherings or family dinners.
- Leftovers: they can be used in sandwiches, salads, soups, quiche, lasagna and other dishes.
Ingredient Notes
Quantities are listed in the recipe card towards the end of this post. The Ingredients page has more details and lists the brands we use.
- Turkey thighs: fresh or frozen.
- Turkey broth (or chicken or vegetable).
- Paprika: use sweet, smoked, hot or a mix.
- Ground spices: as with the herbs, use your favorite turkey mix instead of the ones in the recipe.
- Dried herbs: I use thyme and oregano, but others like sage and rosemary also work.
How to make spiced Turkey thighs
The marinade is a mix of butter, spices and dried herbs.
This is where you can customize it to your and your family's palate. Or to adjust to what you have in your spice cabinet. You might find a new favorite mix.
Combine soft butter with salt, pepper, spices and herbs. You can process it to make a smooth paste.
For a crisper skin, remove the foil that covers the dish and broil the thighs for the last 5-10 minutes.
How to make turkey gravy
It's not hard to prepare, and you can easily achieve a lump-free gravy.
- Turkey drippings: they'll be used as part of the liquid.
- Broth: homemade or store-bought. We like turkey broth, but chicken or vegetable broth works well. See the Notes section on the recipe card to make turkey broth from scratch.
For more details, check the homemade turkey gravy recipe.
Make the roux: mix butter with flour and stir until it lightly browns. This is the base that will thicken the gravy.
The liquids (turkey drippings and broth) are added gradually until a smooth sauce is achieved. It can then be spiced to your liking.
Vintage Kitchen Tip
If making homemade turkey broth, plan to have it ready by the time the thighs are done. I recommend making it several hours or the day before.
Kitchen notes
- Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperature, equipment, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier.
- Baking time: Consider that all ovens and pans are different, even if they look similar. The baking time in my recipes is as accurate as possible, but it might take you more or less time. You can use a thermometer (like the OXO oven thermometer) to check that your oven is at the right temperature. I recommend you keep track of how your oven works and what tiny details you might need to adjust.
- How do I prevent turkey thighs from drying out? Cover them with foil during roasting to retain moisture and avoid overcooking them. Use a meat thermometer to make sure they reach 165°F (74°C) internally.
- Uneven browning can occur if the turkey thighs are not placed in a single layer and are too crowded. Rotate the thighs in the oven so there's enough space between them to cook evenly.
Storage
- Divide leftovers into portions: you can divide them into smaller portions to store more conveniently.
- Refrigerate: store the container or bag in the refrigerator. Roasted turkey thighs can be safely refrigerated for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: if you want to store them for an extended period, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, ensuring they are well-sealed. For best results, use a vacuum-sealing system to remove excess air. Label the container or bag with the date.
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Roasted Turkey Thighs (with gravy)
Ingredients
For the turkey thighs:
- 2 large or 3 small turkey thighs, bone-in
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- ¼ cup 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Several grindings of black pepper
- ⅓ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ⅓ teaspoon coriander
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme and oregano
For the gravy:
- 2 cups turkey broth
- ¼ cup roasted turkey drippings
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
For the turkey thighs:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, mix soft butter with salt, spices and herbs.
- Using your hands or a spatula, spread an even, thin layer of flavored butter on both sides of the turkey thighs.
- Transfer the turkey thigh to a baking dish large enough to accommodate them without overlapping.
- Add the broth around the meat.
- Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and place in the oven.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, reduce the oven to 325°F (160°C) and roast for about 30 more minutes for the large thighs and 15 minutes for small ones. This time may vary. An instant-read thermometer should read 170°F (75°C).
- To make the turkey skin crispy on top, remove the foil 10 minutes before the end. If necessary, broil for a few minutes. Reserve the juices for making the gravy.
- Serve hot, sliced, with gravy.
For the homemade gravy:
- Have the broth barely simmering over low heat.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan, sprinkle the flour over and cook for 2 minutes over low heat, stirring constantly. The mixture will brown and thicken.
- Slowly pour in the turkey drippings and a third of the broth as you stir with a whisk. Mix until all the flour lumps are broken up, and the mixture is smooth.
- Add salt and spices and stir to integrate everything.
- Pour the remaining broth, stirring constantly over low heat until you get the desired thickness. Add more broth if necessary, check seasonings and adjust if needed. You can use it immediately or let it cool down and refrigerate it for 2 days. If the gravy has cooled and thickened, reheat it over low heat before serving.
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