Last Updated on January 8, 2026 by Sarah
This Roast Turkey Leg with Apples and Onions is a simple, budget-friendly alternative to a whole bird but still brings festive flavour to the table. The savoury turkey pairs beautifully with sweet apples and lightly caramelised onions, and a quick creamy sauce makes the dish feel special with very little hands-on time.
Serve as part of this alternative gluten free Christmas menu and wow your guests this holiday season!
Ingredients needed to make Roast Turkey Leg with Apples and Onions
Serves 8-10 depending on size of turkey leg
- 1 turkey leg (around 2kg)
- 2 large onions
- 6 small apples
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- sprig of sage (optional)
- 200g crème fraîche (optional – to make a cream sauce)
How to make Roast Turkey Leg with Apples and Onions
Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan).
Thickly slice the onions, cut the apples into 8ths, leaving the skin on (if they are organic).
Place the turkey leg into a large baking dish. Arrange the onions and the apples around the turkey leg.
Drizzle the olive oil over the turkey, sprinkle with salt and nestle the sage among the apples and onions (if using).
Roast in the preheated oven for 45 mins uncovered.
After 45 minutes, check the turkey, if there is no liquid in the bottom of the dish add about ½ cup (125 ml) water. If the turkey is already well browned, cover the dish with aluminum foil and continue baking for another 45 mins.
Note: if your turkey leg is larger than 2kg, it may take longer to cook. Be sure to check that it is cooked thoroughly before serving.
When cooked, juices should run clear. I like to use a meat thermometer to make sure the turkey is cooked through – it should read 74°C in the thickest part of the meat.
Optional finishing touch:
Remove the turkey leg from the dish, and slice.
Add the crème fraîche to the hot baking dish and stir to combine with the apples and onions. The dish should be hot enough to warm the crème fraîche thoroughly. If this is not the case, place the apples and onions in a pan and heat through with the cream.
Serve the turkey dressed with the creamy apple sauce – delicious!
Notes:
Add more water during roasting if the dish becomes dry. For a thicker sauce use less water; for a thinner sauce add more.
To make this dairy free simply omit the cream, or replace with coconut milk.
Serving suggestions:
We enjoy this served simply with honey roasted butternut but this turkey would also be very good served with mashed potato and green beans or even rice for a more low-key family dinner.
Make ahead options:
This turkey dish is best prepared and cooked immediately before serving. You could possibly prepare the meat, onions and apples a couple of hours before cooking, and keep them in the fridge, the colour changes but it doesn’t affect the flavour once roasted.
If you’re looking for another Christmas dinner alternative, why not try this Christmas chicken tagine.
Roast Turkey Leg With Apples and Onions
Ingredients
- 1 turkey leg around 2kg
- 2 large onions
- 6 small apples
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- sprig of sage optional
- 200 g crème fraîche optional – to make a cream sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan).
- Thickly slice the onions, cut the apples into 8ths, leaving the skin on (if they are organic).
- Place the turkey leg into a large baking dish. Arrange the onions and the apples around the turkey leg.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the turkey, sprinkle with salt and nestle the sage among the apples and onions (if using).
- Roast in the preheated oven for 45 mins uncovered.
- After 45 minutes, check the turkey, if there is no liquid in the bottom of the dish add about ½ cup (125 ml) water. If the turkey is already well browned, cover the dish with aluminum foil and continue baking for another 45 mins.
- Note: if your turkey leg is larger than 2kg, it may take longer to cook. Be sure to check that it is cooked thoroughly before serving.
- When cooked, juices should run clear. I like to use a meat thermometer to make sure the turkey is cooked through – it should read 74°C in the thickest part of the meat.
Optional finishing touch:
- Remove the turkey leg from the dish, and slice.
- Add the crème fraîche to the hot baking dish and stir to combine with the apples and onions. The dish should be hot enough to warm the crème fraîche thoroughly. If this is not the case, place the apples and onions in a pan and heat through with the cream.
- Serve the turkey dressed with the creamy apple sauce – delicious!
Leave a Reply