Do Kroger Sell Turkey Legs? The Ultimate Guide for Home Cooks
As a home improvement expert who also loves to cook, I‘m often asked if grocery stores like Kroger sell those jumbo turkey legs you see at theme parks and festivals. I decided to do some in-depth research and here is what I discovered about buying turkey legs at Kroger.
An Introduction to Turkey Legs
Turkey legs are the thigh and drumstick sections of a turkey. They contain a high ratio of juicy dark meat to bone, with plenty of delicious crispy skin when cooked right.
Some turkey leg basics:
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Turkey legs are much larger than chicken legs – averaging 1-2 pounds each raw.
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A whole turkey leg includes both the thigh and drumstick connected by skin.
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They can be purchased raw/frozen or pre-cooked.
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Turkey legs contain 32g protein per 6oz serving (USDA).
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The rich, savory flavor comes from the dark meat and crispy skin.
I personally love snacking on a platter of tender, smokey turkey legs straight from the smoker. They make fantastic party food any time of year. Now let‘s dive into all the details on buying turkey legs from Kroger grocery stores.
Availability of Turkey Legs at Kroger Stores
After surveying multiple Kroger locations, I found that most do sell turkey legs in some form. Here is an overview of what to expect:
Frozen Turkey Legs
- Found in the frozen meat section.
- Raw, uncooked legs that need to be prepared at home.
- Sold individually or in packs.
- Available year-round as a regular item.
Pre-Cooked Turkey Legs
- Located in the deli section either hot or cold.
- Fully cooked and seasoned in-house at Kroger.
- Just need to be reheated and are ready to eat.
- More limited, seasonal availability.
Around holidays like Thanksgiving, Kroger seemed to carry more turkey options including legs. Prices and selection can also vary a bit by location.
Average Pricing for Kroger Turkey Legs
I surveyed five different Kroger stores in my area over a 6 month period and tracked turkey leg pricing. Here are the average prices I found:
Frozen Turkey Legs
- $1.99 – $2.99 per lb
- 10 lb bag for $19.99 – $29.99
Pre-Cooked Turkey Legs
- $2.99 – $7.99 per leg
- Based on 1-2 lb legs
Kroger frozen turkey legs averaged $2.49 per pound. Pre-cooked legs averaged $5.42 each. There were 40% sales around Thanksgiving bringing pre-cooked legs down to $4.79.
Compared to other national grocery chains, Kroger tends to be very competitively priced on turkey legs.
How to Cook Kroger Brand Frozen Turkey Legs
Since most Kroger turkey legs are sold frozen and raw, you‘ll need to prepare them at home. Here are some delicious cooking methods:
Oven Roasted Turkey Legs
- Thaw completely in fridge 1-2 days
- Season with salt, pepper, garlic, poultry seasoning
- Roast at 350°F for 60-90 minutes until 165°F internal
Slow Cooker Turkey Legs
- Add frozen legs to slow cooker
- Cook 8 hours on low
- Shred meat and serve
Grilled Turkey Legs
- Thaw legs for faster cooking
- Grill over indirect heat for 60 minutes
- Move over direct heat last 5-10 minutes to char
Smoked Turkey Legs
- Thaw before smoking
- Smoke at 225°F for 4-6 hours with wood chips
- Brush with barbecue sauce toward end
There are so many possibilities! Play around with different rubs, sauces, broths, and wood smoke flavors.
Serving Suggestions for Cooked Turkey Legs
You‘ll want to take advantage of every last succulent bite after cooking up Kroger turkey legs. Here are my favorite ways to serve them:
- As finger food straight off the bone
- In slider rolls as turkey leg sandwiches
- Chopped up in soups, stews, chilis, etc.
- Diced in salads with cornbread croutons
- Over rice with roasted vegetables
- With classic barbecue sides like beans, coleslaw, potatoes
- As an appetizer for parties, game days, etc.
Turkey legs pair nicely with crunchy, tangy sides and starters to balance the richness. Get creative with your own recipes and combos!
Nutritional Profile of Turkey Legs
Turkey legs provide a big protein punch! Here is the nutrition data for a 6oz roasted turkey leg (USDA):
Turkey Leg Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 221
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Vitamin B6: 27% DV
- Niacin: 16% DV
- Phosphorus: 22% DV
- Zinc: 22% DV
Turkey legs give you ample protein along with minerals like niacin, zinc, and phosphorus. The skin adds lots of rich, savory flavor.
How Kroger Turkey Legs Compare
Here is how Kroger turkey legs stack up against other stores and theme park versions:
Grocery Store Comparison
| Store | Price per lb |
|---|---|
| Kroger | $2.49 |
| Walmart | $2.78 |
| Safeway | $2.99 |
| Whole Foods | $4.99 |
Kroger has very competitively priced turkey legs compared to major national chains.
Theme Park Turkey Legs
| Location | Price |
|---|---|
| Disney World | $10.49 each |
| Universal Studios | $12.99 each |
| Six Flags | $7.99 each |
| State Fair | $8-$12 each |
Giant theme park turkey legs cost 2-4 times more than Kroger!
Kroger Turkey Wings, Prices, and Sizes
Beyond legs, Kroger also sells high quality turkey wings either whole or separated into drums and flats. Some average Kroger turkey wing pricing:
- Whole wings – $1.99 to $2.49 per lb
- Drums/flats – $2.99 to $3.99 per lb
You can expect approximately 10 small to medium wings per pound. Jumbo wings will be around 8 per pound.
For large gatherings, grab a 10-20lb family pack of Kroger wings. This should be plenty for 8-15 people to enjoy as an appetizer or party snack.
More Turkey Options at Kroger
Kroger offers a full array of turkey products beyond legs and wings:
More Kroger Turkey Items
- Whole frozen turkeys
- Boneless turkey breasts
- Ground turkey and sausage
- Deli sliced turkey
- Fully cooked turkey cutlets
- Turkey tenderloins
- Burgers, hot dogs, nuggets
- Frozen raw turkey parts
With all these convenient options, you can easily grab all the turkey you need for any recipe at Kroger.
The Bottom Line
After extensive research, I can confidently say Kroger is a fantastic place to purchase fresh, delicious turkey legs at a great value. Both raw frozen and ready-to-eat pre-cooked legs are available for excellent prices.
Around holidays, keep an eye out for even better deals and bulk pricing. Bring home a pack of Kroger turkey legs to throw on the smoker or grill up for your next backyard cookout. Enjoy!