Soy Simmered Turkey Legs
Transform your dinner table with the bold and aromatic flavors of Soy Simmered Turkey Legs, a comforting dish that blends tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey with a rich, savory sauce. Infused with soy sauce, dark soy, brown sugar, and fragrant spices like star anise, cinnamon, ginger, and garlic, this recipe delivers an irresistible balance of sweet and umami. Slowly simmered to perfection, the turkey absorbs all the goodness of the spiced broth, while a final drizzle of the silky reduced sauce takes it over the top. Easy enough for a weekend dinner but elegant enough to impress guests, this recipe is a true standout. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and scallions for a polished finish, and pair with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a truly unforgettable meal. Perfect for fans of Asian-inspired recipes, this dish is destined to become a new favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 pieces turkey legs
- 0.5 cup soy sauce
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 slices fresh ginger
- 4 cloves garlic cloves
- 2 pieces star anise
- 1 piece cinnamon stick
- 3 stalks scallions (green onions)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Pat the turkey legs dry with paper towels to ensure a nice sear.
Heat the sesame oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the turkey legs to the pot and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the turkey legs from the pot and set aside.
In the same pot, add the slices of ginger, peeled garlic cloves, star anise, and cinnamon stick. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until aromatic.
Pour in the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, water, and brown sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Add the turkey legs back into the pot, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the liquid. If needed, add a bit more water to cover the legs.
Add the scallions (lightly smashed to release their flavor) and sprinkle in the black pepper.
Lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 75-90 minutes, turning the turkey legs occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Check for doneness: the turkey should be tender and the meat should easily pull away from the bone.
Once cooked, carefully remove the turkey legs and set them on a platter. Strain the cooking liquid to remove solids and simmer the liquid for a few minutes to slightly thicken, if desired.
Serve the turkey legs drizzled with the strained sauce, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and extra chopped scallions if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
927 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.3 g | 48% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.6 g | 43% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 270 mg | 90% | |
| Sodium | 7070 mg | 307% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 47.5 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.2 g | 22% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.0 g | ||
| Protein | 90.6 g | 181% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 345 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 14.1 mg | 78% | |
| Potassium | 1769 mg | 38% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
