From the moment you set foot in a Disney park, you will be greeted with beautiful sights and smells that make you feel like you are walking through a magical world.
And as if that weren’t enough to make your trip extra special, you can also enjoy a meal that is just as impressive!
What ingredients are needed for a Disney Turkey Leg ?
A classic meal at a Disney park is going to include a variety of foods that are specifically created for the experience.
One of the best places to find this type of meal is at a “Dreaming Garden”.
Included on the menu is a turkey leg, which is normally accompanied by a side dish.
The classic side dish is your basic mashed potatoes, but it’s not just potatoes that you will find here.
It includes other foodstuffs such as corn, carrots and beans.
But there’s nothing traditional about these ingredients .
We’ve all seen a movie or read a book where people are settling in for an evening with friends or family and they order special meal with an abundance of legumes and vegetables in the form of mashed potatoes.
No matter how much you enjoy these, it’s safe to say that you probably don’t have them on your typical dinner table .
So what exactly makes this turkey leg special?
Where do these ingredients come from?
Why is it called a “Disney Turkey Leg”?
How long does it take to make a Disney Turkey Leg ?
Many Disney lovers are familiar with the delicious turkey legs served at the many buffets, but what many people don’t know is how long it takes to serve them!
A single ‘classic’ turkey leg can take up to 45 minutes to prepare for service.
With the added addition of a variety of sweet and savory toppings, the preparation time can easily double .
But don’t let this put you off from trying to recreate your own authentic and mouth watering Disney Turkey Leg recipe.
What ingredients are needed for a Disney Turkey Leg ?
Obviously you will need a couple of turkey legs as part of your meal, so first things first, get your hands on a couple.
If you are preparing this dish yourself, then you will need one large leg and one smaller leg.
The smaller leg should be just around 6 inches in length and weigh around 4.5 oz (125 g).
You will also need a deep baking tray, something close to the size of two adult standard frying pans side by side.
If you are not looking to do this yourself, then check out some options for purchasing ready-made Disney Turkey Legs at our recommended site.
How long does it take to make a Disney Turkey Leg ?
With all the necessary ingredients in place now, you need only follow a few simple steps to transform these live cooking genius into scrumptious treats.
- Cook your legs through: Remove away any packaging or plastic seals that may be covering your turkey legs and place them in the baking tray with their base facing down.
- Season your turkey legs: Season both sides evenly with salt , pepper and any other herbs or spices that you would like to include in the dish.
- Bake for five minutes: Next, remove your turkey legs from the tray and flip over onto their other side using a fork or spatula . Place back into the baking tray for another five minutes , until cooked through.
- “Toothpick” Ready: After it has cooked throughout ensure that each piece is tender in terms of its raw center. This will happen after around 8 to 10 minutes give or take .
Is it possible to make a Disney Turkey Leg without an oven ?
While it’s always nice to share a meal with family and loved ones, sometimes you just want to be able to enjoy your vacation sitting on the couch and on your own.
This is exactly the scenario that Disney offers with its “Disney Turkey Leg.”
The only catch?
This dish does need to be cooked inside of an oven.
However, for a quick takeout meal, it’s possible to make this dish without one!
What are the best cooking techniques to make a Disney Turkey Leg ?
There are a few cooking techniques that will allow you to prepare your Disney turkey leg in the comfort of your own home.
Here are some of them.
Slow cooking
Slow cooking is ideal for preparing your entire meal including the main dish and side dishes, while simultaneously keeping the temperature uniform across the entire dish.
This requires you to be consistent when selecting your ingredients and differentiating between hard, soft, and liquid ingredients.
This also calls for coordinating with other foods so that you can retain their flavors and texture.
To begin slow cooking, simply select the appropriate ingredients – we recommend selecting ones that have a high water content so that you don’t over-cook the food or lose its flavor.
Cooking by convection heat
Convection heat allows you to cook larger portions of food in a short period of time.
This is advantageous when it comes to large meals such as Thanksgiving.
It also reduces overcooking.
You can use a convection oven by purchasing a convection oven or using an existing one.
However, it is important to note that you need to have an electric or gas stove so that there are sufficient circulating air currents for convection heat.
Microwaving
Microwaving is often used as a fast and easy way to prepare meals because it doesn’t require any additional ingredients since they already come with microwaves.
As long as you have access to electricity, you can use this to quickly prepare your Disney turkey leg.
Just remember not to use your microwave more than once a day since having it up too long may damage its electrical components.
Are there any special tips for adding extra flavor to a Disney Turkey Leg ?
Just like any other piece of meat, turkey needs to be seasoned to get the most out of its flavor.
You can add just a little seasoning or a ton of it, depending on what you are looking for as you cook your turkey.
No matter how much seasoning you add, don’t forget that no two turkeys are alike.
Be sure to adjust the seasoning ingredients accordingly so that everyone at your meal is savoring the flavors.
Is there a difference between a Disney Turkey Leg and a regular turkey leg ?
There are several differences between a Disney Turkey Leg and a regular turkey leg.
However, there is one major difference that you may not have noticed.
What sides are commonly served with a Disney Turkey Leg ?
Disney turkey legs are a special and sustainable meal.
In fact, Disney turkey legs are a feast fit for a king!
However , you have to be prepared to pay the price that comes with this meal.
A traditional turkey leg will cost up to $35 or more at most restaurants.
Disney turkey leg recipes would perhaps feature them in smaller portions so as not to scare off guests.
Keep reading to find out more information about the side dishes served with a Disney turkey leg.
How do you store a Disney Turkey Leg after it has been cooked ?
As soon as a Disney Turkey Leg is cooked, it must be placed on ice to ensure that it doesn’t become too dry.
You can find plastic or wooden tubs for your ice and keep them easily accessible at all times so that you can store and serve your Disney turkey legs quickly and without hassle.
Are Disney Turkey Legs healthy to eat ?
Disney turkey legs are simply a dish that was taken from the realm of fantasy and made into a reality.
During its production, a variety of unique spices were used to give these turkey legs a unique taste.
The process involved marinating the chicken for several hours before cooking it in an oven.
After achieving perfection, each leg is then sliced and served with a side dish featuring mashed potatoes, corn, and gravy.
While this meal is sure to impress any Disney fan (and probably all fans of food in general), it doesn’t mean that it’s the healthiest choice at Disney parks.
How can you tell when a Disney Turkey Leg is done cooking ?
While you may have the idea that these legs are small and delicate, don’t let this notion fool you!
A Disney turkey leg is a hearty piece of meat that is perfectly sized for your group.
The portions are large and each leg has enough meat for six people, so you’ll have leftovers to snack on later.
Each leg of meat has been seasoned and smoked to perfection, so all that remains is to simply sit down and enjoy the culinary masterpiece.
We’ve cooked a few of them ourselves and you can see how easy it is to prepare.
Ingredients
- 1 large turkey drumstick
- ½ tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1½ tablespoons dark brown sugar
- ½ cup distilled water
- ¼ teaspoon Prague Powder
Instructions
- Cure. Put the water, salt, Prague powder #1, and sugar in a 1 gallon (3.8 l) zipper bag after dissolving them all in the water. Add the meat and let it cure in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours; any longer could make the meat overly salty. Move the items around a few times while they are curing to make sure the liquid has reached every area.
- Rinse. Take the meat out of the cure, give it a quick rinse to remove excess salt, and then pat the skin dry with a paper towel. When you’re ready to smoke them, you can remove them from the cure and keep them in the fridge uncooked for one or two days, but I wouldn’t go any farther than that.
- Turn on. Light your smoker or prepare the grill for two-zone smoking. On the indirect side, aim for 325°F (162.8°C).
- Smoke. To ensure that the thickest section of the meat on the turkey leg gets at least 160°F (71.1°C), smoke it for about an hour.
- Serve. Immediately serve the smoked turkey leg.
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.