Turkey, drumstick, from whole bird, meat only, with added solution, roasted
Whole food · Poultry Products
A succulent, roasted turkey drumstick, meat only, typically prepared with a brine or solution to lock in moisture. The meat is lean, tender, and pulls cleanly from the bone with a mild, savory flavor. It's a powerhouse of protein with very little fat and zero carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 66% protein · 0% carbs · 34% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its satisfying, hearty flavor and the primal joy of eating meat directly off the bone. It's a versatile centerpiece for family meals, from holiday feasts to simple weeknight dinners.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The 'added solution' (often a sodium-based brine) can significantly increase sodium content, which is a consideration for those monitoring blood pressure. To manage, rinse the meat briefly after cooking and pair it with potassium-rich vegetables like roasted broccoli or a leafy green salad to help balance electrolytes.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of high-quality, complete protein
- Very low in fat and contains zero carbohydrates
- Provides key minerals like selenium and phosphorus
- A lean choice for muscle maintenance and satiety
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The turkey drumstick is the most exercised part of the bird, which is why its meat is darker and richer in iron than the breast meat.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 66.8 g |
| Energy | 158 kcal |
| Energy | 663 kj |
| Protein | 26.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 6.0 g |
| Ash | 1.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 16.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 24.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 208 mg |
| Potassium, K | 227 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 201 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 3.4 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.13 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.02 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 31.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.06 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.34 mg |
| Niacin | 6.8 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.43 mg |
| Folate, total | 8.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 8.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 8.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 90.3 mg |
| Betaine | 6.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.6 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 5.0 ug |
| Retinol | 5.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 18.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.07 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.04 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.03 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.05 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 10.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.8 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.2 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.51 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.1 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.19 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.18 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.8 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 1.8 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 1.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.08 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.07 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.06 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 105 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.28 g |
| Threonine | 0.95 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.75 g |
| Leucine | 1.8 g |
| Lysine | 2.2 g |
| Methionine | 0.68 g |
| Cystine | 0.25 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.84 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.78 g |
| Valine | 0.83 g |
| Arginine | 1.5 g |
| Histidine | 0.71 g |
| Alanine | 1.4 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.1 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.5 g |
| Glycine | 1.1 g |
| Proline | 1.4 g |
| Serine | 1.0 g |
FAQ
Why is the meat from the drumstick darker than the breast?
The drumstick is a 'dark meat' cut because the leg muscles are used frequently for walking and standing. This requires more myoglobin (an oxygen-carrying protein), which gives the meat its darker color and slightly richer, more robust flavor.
What does 'with added solution' mean?
It means the turkey was injected or marinated with a mixture, typically containing water, salt, and sometimes phosphates or flavorings, to increase moisture and weight. This helps keep the lean meat juicy during cooking but can increase the sodium content.
How can I ensure the drumstick is cooked safely?
Use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach a minimum of 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the thigh, without touching the bone. The meat should be opaque and juices should run clear.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.58 kcal/g · 66% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.89 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.