Slow-cooked turkey drumstick served on a plate smothered with savory gravy and garnished with herbs

Tender & Juicy Slow-Cooked Turkey Drumstick with Savory Gravy

Name: Tender & Juicy Slow-Cooked Turkey Drumstick with Savory Gravy
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 h 30 min
Total time: 5 h 45 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 piece Turkey drumstick (bone-in, skin on preferred for flavor); 1 medium Yellow onion, chopped; 3 pieces Garlic cloves, minced; 2 medium Carrots, chopped (optional); 2 stalks Celery stalks, chopped (optional); 250 ml Low sodium chicken broth; 2 tbsp Olive oil or vegetable oil; 1 tsp Fresh thyme or dried thyme; to taste n/a Salt; to taste n/a Black pepper; 2 tbsp All-purpose flour (for gravy thickening); 2 tbsp Butter (for gravy)

Home Page / Slow Cooker Recipes / Slow Cooking Turkey Techniques

easy

5 hour 30 min

Nutritional value per serving

Calories450kcal

Carbs12gram

Fat18gram

Protein50gram

Ingredients

Quantity

Turkey drumstick (bone-in, skin on preferred for flavor)1 piece
Yellow onion, chopped1 medium
Garlic cloves, minced3 pieces
Carrots, chopped (optional)2 medium
Celery stalks, chopped (optional)2 stalks
Low sodium chicken broth250 ml
Olive oil or vegetable oil2 tbsp
Fresh thyme or dried thyme1 tsp
Saltto taste n/a
Black pepperto taste n/a
All-purpose flour (for gravy thickening)2 tbsp
Butter (for gravy)2 tbsp

This slow-cooked turkey drumstick recipe delivers wonderfully tender and juicy meat infused with rich flavor, accompanied by a homemade savory gravy perfect for any comforting meal. Using a slow cooker, the turkey becomes fall-off-the-bone tender, requiring minimal effort yet rewarding you with a delicious centerpiece. The dish is budget-friendly with total ingredient cost approximately equal to $12, €11, £9, or ₹900, and offers about 450 calories per serving. This recipe is beginner-friendly, low complexity, and takes about 6 hours of slow cooking time with 15 minutes of prep. Enjoy a balanced meal suitable for general diets. Safety is prioritized with clear internal temperature guidelines to ensure perfectly cooked, safe-to-eat poultry.

Preparation instructions

Prepare the vegetables and turkey

1Chop the onion, carrots, and celery finely. Mince the garlic. Pat the turkey drumstick dry with paper towels to help brown it better.

Brown the turkey

2Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the turkey drumstick skin side down and brown for about 5 minutes, then turn and brown the other side for 4 minutes. This step adds flavor and improves texture but can be skipped for convenience.

Place ingredients in slow cooker

3Transfer the browned turkey drumstick to the slow cooker. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and fresh or dried thyme. Pour the chicken broth over everything. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Slow cook the turkey

4Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or until the internal temperature of the turkey drumstick reaches a safe minimum of 74 °C (165 °F). Check temperature with a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part near the bone to ensure food safety.

Make the gravy

5Carefully remove the turkey and vegetables onto a serving plate and cover to keep warm. Pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan, letting any large fat pieces settle. In a separate small pan, melt butter over medium heat, then whisk in the flour to form a roux; cook for 1-2 minutes until golden. Gradually whisk in the broth from the slow cooker, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper as needed.

Serve and enjoy

6Slice or shred the turkey drumstick meat, serve on plates with the cooked vegetables, and drizzle warm gravy over the top. Enjoy your tender, flavorful slow-cooked turkey drumstick meal!

Cooking Tips

1Use a meat thermometer to guarantee the turkey reaches at least 74 °C (165 °F) internally for food safety.

2Browning the turkey before slow cooking enhances the flavor and texture but if short on time, you can place it directly in the slow cooker.

3For gluten-free gravy, replace the flour with cornstarch mixed in cold water; add to the broth slowly and stir until thickened.

4Leftover turkey and gravy make great sandwiches or additions to salads the next day.

5Always wash your hands and utensils thoroughly after handling raw turkey to avoid cross-contamination.

Equipment Needed

Slow cooker
Skillet or frying pan (optional for browning)
Knife and chopping board
Meat thermometer
Whisk
Saucepan for gravy
Serving plates

Shopping List

[ ] Turkey drumstick (about 1 kg) - $7: Choose fresh, firm turkey drumsticks with skin on for better flavor.
[ ] Yellow onion (1 medium) - $0.50: Look for firm onions without sprouts or soft spots.
[ ] Garlic cloves (3 pieces) - $0.30: Fresh garlic bulbs that feel heavy and firm.
[ ] Carrots (2 medium, optional) - $0.70: Select firm, bright orange carrots.
[ ] Celery stalks (2 stalks, optional) - $0.60: Crisp, bright green celery stalks.
[ ] Low sodium chicken broth (250 ml) - $1.50: Choose low-sodium for better control of salt.
[ ] Olive oil or vegetable oil (2 tbsp) - $0.20
[ ] Fresh or dried thyme (1 tsp) - $0.30
[ ] Salt and black pepper - $0.10
[ ] All-purpose flour (2 tbsp) - $0.10
[ ] Butter (2 tbsp) - $0.40

Total approximate cost: $12.20

This list covers everything you need for a delicious and safe slow-cooked turkey drumstick with gravy.

FAQ

Can I use frozen turkey drumstick for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to fully thaw it in the refrigerator before cooking to ensure even cooking and food safety.

What if I don’t have a slow cooker?

You can bake the turkey drumstick in a covered roasting pan at 160°C (325°F) for about 2.5 to 3 hours, adding broth as needed and checking internal temperature.