Easy Home Made Brine for Turkey Drumsticks

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These perfectly roasted air fryer turkey legs are mouthwatering crispy on the outside with tender juicy meat and almost slide of the bone.

We all know that turkey legs dark meat may be a bit tougher than chicken. But thanks to the brine method (soaking turkey legs for many hours or overnight in salty lemony water), the turkey absorbs extra moisture, which in turn helps it to stay juicy.

A sugar and salt brine with a bit of lemon juice is the secret to ensuring turkey legs cook up tender. After brining, rinse turkey legs slightly, pat them dry with paper towels, coat them with the mixture of oil and spices, and roast them in the Air fryer until crispy skin and the interior cooked through.
The cooking time depends on the size of your turkey legs, but most should cook 35-50 minutes. That's a lot faster than roasting the whole turkey!

This simple turkey brine recipe can also be used for turkey wings, turkey breast, chicken drumsticks, or even the whole chicken if you like.

How long should I brine the turkey legs?

I suggest a minimum of 2-4 hours. Best overnight (10-12 hours). The next morning rub your turkey with oil and seasoning and let absorb for at least an hour.

Let's cook!

Ingredients:

2 turkey legs. You can cook 4 or more. Just double the ingredients

Brine:

6 cups water
2 Tablespoon Kosher salt
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons baking soda
Juice of 1 lemon. Plus dump the squeezed lemon into the brine
1/2 raw onion
2 Bay leaf
1 spring fresh rosemary
4 springs fresh thyme

Dry rub:

2 Tablespoons Olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dry rosemary

Directions:

1. In a large pot, add water, salt, sugar, baking soda and stir until completely dissolved. Add lemon juice, plus dump the lemon. Add onion, bay leaf, rosemary and thyme. Add turkey legs, ensuring they are completely submerged in water. Cover and put in the refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours, or best overnight. See picture.
2. In a small bowl combine oil and seasoning blend for the dry rub
3. Drain and discard the brine.
4. Dry turkey legs with paper towels
5. Using a silicone food brush, brush the oil and seasoning mix all over turkey legs, rubbing under the skin, if possible. Let marinate for at least 1 hour.
6. Pre-heat air fryer to 400F/200C.
7. Lower the temperature to 380F and place turkey legs onto air fryer basket or tray.
8. Airfry mode at 380F for 30 minutes, flipping halfway. That is 15 minutes per side. Note: If your turkey legs are on a larger side, they may require more cooking time. After 30 minutes cover them with foil (to prevent burn skin) and cook for an extra 10-15 minutes. Until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165.

Ingredients

2 turkey legs. You can cook 4 or more. Just double the ingredients
Brine:
6 cups water
2 Tablespoon Kosher salt
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons baking soda
Juice of 1 lemon. Plus dump the squeezed lemon into the brine
1/2 raw onion
2 Bay leaf
1 spring fresh rosemary
4 springs fresh thyme
Dry rub:
2 Tablespoons Olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 Teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dry rosemary

Instructions

2. In a small bowl combine oil and seasoning blend for the dry rub

3. Drain and discard the brine.

4. Dry turkey legs with paper towels

5. Using a silicone basting brush, brush the oil and seasoning mix all over turkey legs, rubbing under the skin, if possible. Let marinate for at least 1 hour.

6. Pre-heat air fryer to 400F/200C.

7. Lower the temperature to 380F and place turkey legs onto air fryer basket or tray.

8. Airfry mode at 380F for 30 minutes, flipping halfway. That is 15 minutes per side.

Note: If your turkey legs are on a larger side, they may require more cooking time. After 30 minutes cover them with foil (to prevent burn skin) and cook for an extra 10-15 minutes. Until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165.

Notes

1. If your turkey legs are on a larger side, they may require more cooking time. After 30 minutes cover them with foil (to prevent burn skin) and cook for an extra 10-15 minutes. Until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165.

2. Turkey legs recipe made using Cuisinart Air fryer oven.

Author
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Irina is a NYC area food blogger and recipe developer, loves to cook, travel and entertain. Follow her blog and enjoy her tips on Food & Travel, Lifestyle & Healthy delicious recipes.

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Source: https://dailyyum.com/air-fryer-turkey-legs/