What if you could bring the experience of smoked turkey legs from festivals, fairs, and food trucks right to your own backyard?
Follow this recipe for delicious smoked BBQ turkey legs that will exceed the flavor of those food truck turkey legs and bring the family together for an eating experience like none other.
In the video above, Malcom Reed of the world-famous BBQ brand HowToBBQRight shares his proven method for cooking a smoker-load of turkey legs on a pellet grill.
Credits: The screenshots in this post were taken from the video above by HowToBBQRight. We’ve outlined the process in writing for easy reference and to help make this recipe a success on your first try.
For this cook, Malcom brines the turkey legs then seasons them with Killer Hogs The AP Seasoning and Killer Hogs The BBQ Rub. The only supplies needed in addition to the turkey and rubs are a few common ingredients and tools plus a good smoker or pellet grill.
All of these supplies are available in our specialty barbecue supply store and our online store. For more information on any of these products, you can visit our website using the links below.
Smoked turkey legs are a finger-licking good treat that take your cookouts up a notch. Getting that perfect balance of tender, juicy meat and crispy skin takes some finesse though. Nailing the cook time is key to smoked turkey leg success. So how long should you smoke turkey legs on a pellet grill?
Most turkey legs take 4-5 hours at 225-250°F on a pellet grill to reach the minimum safe internal temperature of 165°F However, cook time varies based on several factors
- Size and thickness of the legs
- Temperature setting of the grill
- Use of a brine or rub
- Altitude
Follow this guide to learn how to adjust cook time for these variables and end up with flawless smoked turkey legs every time.
Calculating Cook Time Based on Turkey Leg Size
Larger meatier turkey legs need more time in the smoker than smaller legs. Here are general time estimates based on turkey leg weight
- 1-2 lbs: 3-4 hours
- 2-3 lbs: 4-5 hours
- 3-4 lbs: 5-6 hours
For a more precise calculation, estimate 15-20 minutes per pound at 225-250°F.
For example, 3 lb legs will take about 45-60 minutes per pound, equating to a 2.5-3 hour total cook time.
Always rely on a food thermometer in the thickest part of the leg rather than just going by time.Cook until it registers 165°F.
Adjusting for Brines, Rubs and Grill Temperature
Brining helps turkey legs retain moisture, but also reduces cook time. The salt and water get absorbed into the meat, allowing it to cook faster. Reduce cook time by 30 minutes to 1 hour if brining.
Heavy rubs can act as insulation and extend cook time. Add 30-60 minutes if using a thick layer. Go lighter on the rub to prevent this issue.
Higher grill temperatures like 275-300°F will shorten cook time, but be careful not to dry out the meat. 225-250°F gives the best juicy texture.
Use a two-zone fire to quickly sear legs over direct heat first, then move to indirect heat to finish smoking.
Altitude Adjustments for Pellet Grill Smoking
Cooking at high altitudes requires extending cook time due to lower atmospheric pressure.
- Sea level to 3000 ft: No adjustment needed
- 3000 to 6000 ft: Add 15% more time
- 6000 to 9000 ft: Add 30% more time
If smoking turkey legs in Denver at 5280 ft, increase cook time by about 15%. If at 7000 ft, extend it by 30%.
Resting and Carryover Cooking
Once the legs reach 165°F internal temperature, remove them from the grill and let rest 10-15 minutes. The temperature will rise 5-10°F during this time from carryover cooking. Resting allows juices to redistribute.
Signs Turkey Legs Are Fully Cooked
Rely on a meat thermometer, but also look for these visual cues:
- Internal temperature of 165°F
- Skin is crispy and browned
- Meat pulls back from the bone
- Meat feels firm when squeezed
- No pink when slicing into the meat
Step-by-Step Guide to Smoked Turkey Legs
Follow this simple process:
- Make a brine if desired and soak legs overnight
- Prepare pellet grill and preheat to 225-250°F
- Apply rub and insert food thermometer
- Place legs directly on grill grates
- Smoke until 165°F internal temp (about 15-20 minutes per lb)
- Rest 10-15 minutes before serving
Tips for the Best Smoked Turkey Legs
- Choose larger, meatier legs for max flavor
- Inject with broth or marinate overnight
- Apply rub right before smoking so it develops into a tasty crust
- Use a water pan for extra moisture
- Spritz with juice or broth if legs start drying out
- Pull at 160°F and wrap in foil if you want fall-off-the-bone tender
With the right cook time, smoking turkey legs on a pellet grill leads to finger-burning, lip-smacking deliciousness. Follow these tips for perfectly cooked legs every time. Happy grillin’!
The Ultimate Smoked Turkey Leg Recipe with Sweet and Spicy Glaze
Smoked turkey legs are a fun twist on classic roast turkey that infuse deep, smoky flavor into tender, juicy meat. While the low and slow smoking method keeps turkey legs remarkably moist, brining is the secret step that really takes them over the top. An overnight soak in a brown sugar and spice brine ensures the turkey legs stay juicy and packed with flavor from the inside out. Then a kicky sweet chili and honey glaze adds finger-licking stickiness you won’t be able to get enough of!
This recipe breaks down the simple steps to foolproof smoked turkey legs on a pellet grill. With the right timing, you’ll have the perfect balance of tender, fall-off-the-bone meat with crispy caramelized skin in every bite. Let’s get smoking!
Ingredients
- 4 turkey legs or drumsticks (1-4 lbs each)
- Brine ingredients: water, brown sugar, kosher salt, spices
- Chile honey glaze: honey, hot sauce, chili flakes
- Hickory wood pellets
- BBQ rub
Brine the Legs
Make a brine by bringing water, brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and pepper to a boil. Cool completely then submerge legs and brine overnight.
Prepare the Pellet Grill
Fill hopper with hickory pellets. Preheat grill to 225°F until stabilized, about 15 minutes. Maintain this temp.
Smoke the Legs
Rinse and pat legs dry. Apply rub liberally. Place legs directly on grill grates and insert thermometer into thickest part, avoiding bone. Smoke until 165°F, about 4-5 hours.
Glaze and Finish
During last 30 minutes, brush legs with chili honey glaze several times to coat. Increase heat to crisp skin.
Rest and Serve
Let legs rest 10 minutes before slicing into the juicy, tender smoked meat!
Tips for Perfect Smoked Turkey Legs
- Brining is a must for juicy legs
- Apply rub just before smoking to form a tasty crust
- Use a water pan in the grill for extra moisture
- Spritz with apple juice if legs start drying out
- Pull legs at 160°F and wrap in foil for fall-off-the-bone texture
With an overnight brine and sweet chili glaze, these smoked turkey legs are guaranteed to be a big hit at your next cookout!
7 Steps for Malcom Reed’s Smoked Turkey Legs
Below is a simple outline of the video with the key steps needed to give you a platter full of juicy, flavorful BBQ smoked turkey legs.
Smoked Turkey Legs Recipe – Pellet Smoker Turkey Legs
FAQ
How long does it take to cook turkey on a pellet grill?
Put the turkey on the bottom rack of the pellet grill for about 3 – 5 hours.
Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?
325-350. It’s not a low and slow like a brisket or pork shoulder. Poultry soaks up the smoke flavor so you run the risk of having way too much smoke flavor if you go 225. Also 225 will never give you crispy skin.
What temperature should turkey legs be cooked at?
Lay the turkey legs in a roasting pan. Pour in water. Roast uncovered until the legs are golden brown and the internal temperature is 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer, about 1 ½ to 2 hours.
How do you cook turkey legs on a pellet grill?
Spritz with apple juice or broth if legs start drying out. Pull legs at 160°F and wrap in foil if you want fall-off-the-bone tender. Smoking turkey legs on a pellet grill leads to finger-licking goodness when you nail the cook time. Follow this guide for perfectly textured meat every time.
How long do you cook turkey legs on a grill?
Place the turkey legs on the grill and cook for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the turkey legs rest for 10 minutes before serving. For a more flavorful brine, use a combination of apple juice and apple cider vinegar.
Can you smoke turkey legs on a pellet grill?
Smoking turkey legs on a pellet grill results in finger-licking flavorful meat with a crispy exterior and moist tender interior. But nailing the cook time is key to achieving the ideal texture and prevent dried out turkey. So how long should you smoke turkey legs on a pellet grill?
How do you cook smoked turkey legs on a Z Grill?
Each time you make the smoked turkey legs, you will learn more about how different portions of meat will cook throughout the process. To begin, you will need to start by heating up your Z Grills Pellet Grill to 250F. This is the ideal temperature for smoking the turkey to perfection without drying it out.
How to cook turkey legs on a Z Grill?
To begin, you will need to start by heating up your Z Grills Pellet Grill to 250F. This is the ideal temperature for smoking the turkey to perfection without drying it out. With these turkey legs, we recommend heating up your grill with cherry wood pellets, which add exceptional flavor to the turkey legs.
How long does it take to smoke a Turkey on a pellet grill?
This turkey took just over 6 hours to smoke on our pellet grill at 225*F. This is going to vary based on the weight of the turkey. The general rule is about 30 minutes per pound. What pellets should you use for a smoked turkey?