Chicken Fried Turkey Legs Recipes

FRIED TURKEY LEGS

Steps:

• In a large bowl or jumbo resealable plastic bag, combine the buttermilk, 1 tablespoon each of the paprika, garlic powder and onion powder, 1 teaspoon of the cayenne, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add the turkey drumsticks and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
• Preheat a tabletop deep-fryer or fill a large, wide pot with 3 inches of oil; heat the oil to 365 degrees F. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking pan with paper towels and place a wire rack on top.
• In a large paper grocery bag, combine the flour with the remaining 1 tablespoon paprika, garlic powder and onion powder and 1 teaspoon cayenne, as well as 2 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Pat the turkey legs dry and add them to the bag. Fold the top of the bag to seal; shake vigorously to coat the turkey in the seasoned flour.
• Remove the turkey legs from the flour and shake off the excess. Fry the turkey in batches, turning occasionally, until deep golden brown, crispy and cooked through (an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat, avoiding bone, should register at least 165 degrees F), about 16 minutes. Transfer the fried turkey to the prepared baking pan and keep warm in the oven while frying the remaining drumsticks. Return the oil to 365 degrees F between batches.

COUNTRY FRIED TURKEY RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Make the spice blend: Whisk the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, poultry seasoning, and ground ginger in a medium bowl until evenly combined and set aside.
• Prep the turkey: Pull the skin off the turkey thighs and drumsticks. Remove the bones from the turkey thighs with a sharp knife (see Tips for more instructions). Cut each thigh in half or in thirds if large. Slice each breast across the grain on a diagonal to yield 1-inch thick "steaks." You'll get about 5 to 6 steaks per lobe.
• Make the brine: In a bowl large enough to hold all the turkey pieces, whisk the eggs first, then add the buttermilk, 2 tablespoons of the spice blend, and salt; whisk until well combined. Note: If your turkey is pre-brined (check the packaging label), then omit the salt from the buttermilk.
• Submerge the turkey pieces in the brine and gently stir to make sure each piece is completely coated. Cover and refrigerate for 8 to 16 hours.
• When ready to cook, preheat an oven to 325 F. Remove the turkey from the fridge and let sit for an hour to take the chill off. Prepare 2 large baking sheets with racks set inside them.
• Fill a 12-inch or larger cast iron skillet halfway up with oil and heat to 350 F. Be careful not to fill it higher, as the oil will get displaced when you add the turkey.
• Mix the seasoned flour: Whisk the flour, remaining spice blend, baking powder, and salt in a large baking dish, such as a 9 x 13, until evenly combined.
• Drizzle about 1/2 cup of the buttermilk brine all over the seasoned flour, a little at a time, and stirring with a fork after each addition. This creates little clumps in the flour that will give the crust a craggy texture.
• Since they take the longest to cook, remove the 2 drumsticks first from the buttermilk brine, letting any excess drip off. Roll them in the flour mixture until completely coated, pressing well to adhere.
• Fry the drumsticks until golden brown and crisp all over, about 10 minutes per side, adjusting the heat to maintain a temperature of 325 F. Remove to one of the prepared baking sheets with a rack and transfer to the oven to finish cooking, 20 to 30 minutes. They should reach an internal temperature of 165 F.
• Meanwhile, allow the oil to come back up to 350 F. Coat the thighs next and fry until browned and crisp outside and no longer pink inside, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer the thighs to the rack with the drumsticks in the oven. Fry the breast pieces in batches and remove them to the second prepared baking sheet with a rack.
• When the drumsticks are cooked through, reduce the oven temperature to 200 F. Allow the oven to cool down enough, then transfer the second rack of cooked breast pieces to the oven to keep warm.
• Arrange the turkey pieces on a large platter and serve.

CHICKEN FRIED WILD TURKEY WITH GRAVY

Steps:

• Marinate turkey in dressing, hot sauce and lemon pepper for 8 hours or overnight (I've done 4 hrs and it turns out fine).
• Combine eggs and milk in a shallow dish.
• Combine flour, salt, & pepper in another shallow dish.
• Coat each piece of marinated turkey 1st in flour, then in milk mixture, then again in flour.
• Deep fry until golden brown.
• To make gravy, combine 2 T margarine or butter with 2 T flour over medium heat. Slowly whisk in 1 cup milk and salt & pepper to taste. Whisk over medium heat until it thickens.