How to Make Perfectly Barbecued Turkey Legs

Barbecued turkey legs are a summertime classic When done right, they have crispy skin, juicy meat, and finger-licking good flavor If you want to learn how to barbecue moist, tender turkey legs at home, you’ve come to the right place!

Choosing the Right Turkey Legs

The first step is picking good turkey legs for the barbecue. Look for legs that are plump and meaty. Avoid any that look dried out or slimy. The best turkey legs for grilling will be fresh, with smooth, unblemished skin.

Legs from younger turkeys tend to be more tender than those from older birds Seek out smaller legs in the 1 1/2 to 2 pound range for the most succulent meat after barbecuing

Make sure the turkey legs are completely thawed before putting them on the grill. For food safety, keep the turkey legs refrigerated until you are ready to start barbecuing.

Flavoring the Turkey Legs

There are two main ways to add flavor to your turkey legs before grilling – brining and dry rubbing.

Brining involves soaking the turkey legs in a saltwater solution before cooking. The brining process helps the meat retain moisture and infuses it with seasoned flavor. Make your brine by mixing 1 cup of kosher salt with 1 gallon of water and your choice of aromatics like garlic, brown sugar, lemon, or herbs. Keep the turkey legs submerged in the brine, chilled, for at least 4 hours (or up to 24 hours).

Dry rubbing the legs is a quick and easy alternative to brining. Simply coat the turkey legs all over with a spice rub. Try a basic blend of paprika garlic powder salt, pepper, and brown sugar. Let the rubbed legs rest for 30 minutes before grilling so the flavors are absorbed.

No matter if you brine or dry rub, pat the turkey legs dry before placing them on the hot grill.

Setting Up the Grill

Barbecuing turkey legs requires an evenly heated grill with zones for direct and indirect cooking. Preheat your charcoal or gas grill to a medium heat, around 350°F.

Use direct heat to quickly sear the outside of the legs. Then move them to indirect heat to cook through without burning. If using charcoal, bank the lit coals to one side and keep the other side free of heat. For a gas grill, turn off one of the burners to create indirect cooking space.

Also make sure the grill grates are very clean before adding the turkey. Lightly oil the grates too so the legs don’t stick.

Grilling Time

With the grill preheated and set up for indirect cooking, place the seasoned turkey legs on the direct heat zone skin-side down. Close the grill lid and sear for 3-4 minutes until browned. Flip and sear the other side.

Move the legs over indirect heat, close the lid, and cook for around 40-50 minutes. Rotate the legs and flip them a few times as they cook to prevent burning.

Baste the legs with your favorite barbecue sauce during the last 10-15 minutes of grilling time. Apply the sauce thickly and let it caramelize into the skin. This helps give your turkey legs that sticky, finger-licking coating.

Checking for Doneness

The best way to ensure your barbecue turkey legs are fully cooked is to use an instant read thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of each leg, but don’t let it touch any bones. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.

If you don’t have a thermometer, check that the juices run clear and there is no pink meat visible when piercing the thickest section with a fork. Legs that wiggle loosely at the hip joint are also a sign of doneness.

Letting the Legs Rest

Never cut into freshly barbecued turkey legs straight from the grill! Let them rest first for a juicy finish. The resting period allows the juices to redistribute evenly within the meat.

Place the cooked turkey legs on a clean platter and tent them with foil. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving. The meat will reabsorb any juices that leaked out while you wait, so your barbecue turkey will be moist and tender.

Getting Crispy Skin

To get ultra crispy skin on your barbecued turkey legs, try these tips:

• Pat legs very dry before grilling
• Coat with oil or melted butter
• Use a dry rub, not sticky sauce, before grilling
• Sear over direct heat on both sides
• Grill over indirect heat for crisping without burning
• Avoid basting legs too early with sauce

Crunchy, crackling skin is one of the best parts of barbecue turkey legs. Follow these crispy skin secrets and you’ll achieve the perfect texture contrast to the succulent meat.

Delicious Barbecue Turkey Leg Recipes

Now that you know the basic grilling method, take your barbecued turkey legs to the next level with these flavorful recipes:

Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Legs

• Coat legs with:
  • 1⁄4 cup melted butter
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp sriracha
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper
• Glaze legs while grilling with a sauce of:
  • 1⁄2 cup ketchup
  • 3 tbsp sriracha
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp maple syrup

Bacon-Wrapped Maple Bourbon Legs

• Wrap legs with bacon strips.
• Make a marinade of:
  • 1⁄2 cup maple syrup
  • 1⁄4 cup bourbon
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp each onion powder, garlic powder, salt
• Marinate legs 4 hours before grilling.

Jamaican Jerk Turkey Legs

• Make a wet jerk rub of:
  • 1⁄4 cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp Caribbean jerk seasoning
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp each soy sauce, red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1⁄2 tsp cloves
• Massage jerk rub all over legs. Let marinate 1 hour before grilling.

Serving Suggestions

Barbecued turkey legs make a hearty, fun-to-eat entree or appetizer. Serve them whole or chop the meat off the bone into strips or chunks. Pair your barbecue turkey legs with:

• Corn on the cob
• Baked beans or collard greens
• Coleslaw, potato salad, or macaroni salad
• Grilled pineapple slices
• Cornbread or biscuits

Now that you’re a pro at making mouthwatering barbecued turkey legs at home, fire up the grill and enjoy this delicious summer specialty any time. Just follow these tips for choosing and preparing the legs, proper grilling technique, and flavor ideas. Your friends and family will be impressed with your barbecued turkey legs mastery!