A smoked turkey leg is the worlds heartiest finger food. You can hold them in one hand and refuel while you walk — which is why theyre such a staple at fairs and festivals. Smoked turkey legs taste just as good in your backyard, and are a good smoking project for beginners and experts alike. With a home-smoked turkey leg in your hand, youll feel like a smoking expert and a true carnivore.
Smoked turkey legs are a classic dish that you’ll find at theme parks carnivals and backyard barbecues. With their giant size and irresistible smoked flavor, it’s no wonder they have become so popular. But cooking smoked turkey legs properly can be tricky. Undercook them and you’ll end up with rubbery, raw meat. Overcook them and you’ll have dry, stringy drumsticks. So how long should you cook smoked turkey legs to get them just right? Let’s break it down.
Choosing High-Quality Turkey Legs
The first step is selecting fresh, high-quality smoked turkey legs. Look for legs that are large in size, with even coloration and no blemishes. Both fresh and frozen pre-smoked drumsticks can be found at major grocery stores and online retailers. Fresh legs should be cooked soon, while frozen ones can be stored longer. Make sure to thaw frozen legs fully in the refrigerator before cooking.
Inspect the legs carefully and rinse if needed Pat them dry thoroughly before seasoning, Smoked turkey legs typically weigh 1,5 to 25 pounds each, Their hefty size means they take longer to cook than chicken drumsticks,
Seasoning for Maximum Flavor
While pre-smoked, turkey legs benefit from extra seasoning before cooking. A salt-free poultry or barbecue rub enhances flavor. For bolder flavors, use a spicy Cajun seasoning blend. Brush the legs with oil first so the seasoning sticks better.
You can also glaze the legs while cooking for more moisture and flavor Basting with barbecue sauce is popular Apple juice, honey, and teriyaki glazes also work wonderfully. Avoid sugary glazes until the end to prevent burning.
Oven Roasting Times
Oven roasting is a convenient hands-off cooking method for smoked turkey legs. Use a roasting pan fitted with a rack to elevate the legs for even cooking. Here are general oven roasting times:
- 1.5 lb leg: 60-75 minutes at 350°F
- 2 lb leg: 75-90 minutes at 350°F
- 2.5 lb leg: 90-120 minutes at 350°F
Rotate the legs halfway through roasting. Check temperature early and add roasting time if needed. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Grill and Smoker Cooking Times
The barbecue or smoker are natural cooking choices for smoked turkey legs. On a gas or charcoal grill, use indirect heat at 325-350°F. Hickory, cherry, apple, and pecan smoking woods pair well with turkey.
Approximate grill/smoker times:
- 1.5 lb leg: 60-75 minutes
- 2 lb leg: 75-90 minutes
- 2.5 lb leg: 90-120 minutes
Rotate and flip legs periodically. Brush with glaze during the last 15-30 minutes if desired.
Use a Meat Thermometer for Doneness
The foolproof way to test when smoked turkey legs are done? Use an instant-read meat thermometer! Turkey should reach 165°F internally. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part without hitting bone.
Properly cooked legs will be piping hot throughout. The meat will pull away from the bone slightly. Allow to rest 10 minutes before serving. Now you can enjoy tender, juicy smoked turkey legs anytime.
Tips for Cooking Smoked Turkey Legs Perfectly
Delicious smoked turkey legs are worth the time and care needed to unlock their full flavor. Avoid rushing the cooking process. The large size and bone-in meat of legs requires low and slow cooking for best results.
While general cook times are helpful guidelines, always rely on a meat thermometer for accuracy. This prevents any risk of undercooked poultry. Turkey legs must reach 165°F minimum for food safety.
With proper roasting, grilling or smoking time, smoked turkey legs turn out incredibly moist, tender and smoky-sweet. A few trial runs will help master the technique. Your patience will be rewarded with finger-licking turkey legs worthy of any carnival or backyard cookout.
Ingredients for Smoked Turkey Legs
Turkey Legs – Fresh or frozen turkey drumsticks can be found at most butcher shops and grocers, especially around the holidays. For extra large legs, check with local turkey farms.
Brine Ingredients – A wet brine helps keep the turkey legs incredibly juicy. Make a brine using water, salt, brown sugar, herbs and spices.
Oil – Coat the legs with a high smoke point oil like canola or olive oil before adding seasoning.
Seasonings – For maximum flavor, use a dry poultry or barbecue rub. Cajun seasoning blends also work well.
Glaze – Brush with a sweet glaze during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Barbecue sauce, honey, apple juice and teriyaki are all tasty options.
Wood Chips – Soak smoking wood chips like hickory, cherry, apple or pecan in water before adding to the grill or smoker.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for mouthwatering smoked turkey legs every time:
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Make a Wet Brine (optional) – Dissolve salt, sugar and spices in water. Add turkey legs and refrigerate overnight.
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Remove from Brine – Rinse legs, pat dry and let sit while heating grill or smoker.
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Season the Legs – Coat with oil, then sprinkle on your favorite dry rub.
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Smoke the Legs – Indirect heat at 225-250°F for 1.5-2 hours until 165°F.
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Glaze (optional) – Brush legs with your favorite glaze during the last 30 minutes.
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Rest and Serve – Let legs rest 10 minutes before digging in!
It only takes a few easy steps to make these show-stopping smoked turkey legs at home. Now you can skip the theme park lines and enjoy tender, juicy, smoky turkey drumsticks in your own backyard anytime. Give this recipe a try for your next barbecue or holiday meal. Your family and friends will be impressed!
How to Buy Turkey Legs for Smoking
The first step to smoking turkey legs is finding a place to buy them. Some supermarkets may only stock turkey legs during the holiday season. Even if you do see them in stock one week, they may be gone the next. Your best bet is to plan ahead and ask your butcher about availability, or about the possibility of a special order. Its also possible to order frozen raw turkey legs online.
If your supermarket does stock turkey legs, look for ones with unblemished skin. Yellow discoloration or spots are a sign that the legs have been sitting on the shelf for awhile, and the meat may be starting to dry out.
How Do You Brine a Turkey Leg?
To brine a turkey leg, first prepare your brining liquid. A classic brine is 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of salt, but to add additional flavor to turkey legs, we recommend a brine with these components.
- 1 gallon of warm water
- 1 cup Traeger Rub
- 1/2 cup Morton Tender Quick Home Meat Cure
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon crushed allspice berries (optional)
- 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
In a large pot, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Cool to room temperature, then add a half gallon cold water and 4 cups ice, and place in the refrigerator until chilled. Once chilled, submerge the turkey legs in the brine and refrigerate for 24 hours.
Oven Baked Smoked Turkey Legs/Drums
FAQ
How long do you cook a turkey leg for?
- Temperature: Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Size matters: Larger turkey legs will take longer to cook than smaller ones.
- Cooking method: You can roast turkey legs uncovered or loosely covered with foil depending on the desired level of browning.
- Check for doneness: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey leg is fully cooked.
How long to keep turkey legs in the oven?
… turkey is extremely tender and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part without touching bone registers at least 165ºF, 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hoursNov 17, 2024
How long to cook smoked turkey legs?
Here’s how long to cook smoked turkey legs, depending on how you’re smoking them: Add your favorite wood chips or charcoal to a smoker, and preheat the smoker to 250 to 275 degrees F (120 to 135 degrees C). Smoke the turkey leg or legs low and slow until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (75 degrees C).
Can you cook smoked turkey legs on a grill?
* If you want to add some extra flavor to your turkey legs, you can marinate them in a mixture of olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper for several hours or overnight before cooking. * You can also cook already smoked turkey legs on the grill.
How long do you cook a pre smoked turkey?
Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the turkey legs and the heat intensity of your stove. Generally, it takes about 15-20 minutes per side on medium heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). How to cook a pre-smoked turkey? Place your smoked turkey on the broiler try rack and tent securely with tin foil.
How to cook store bought smoked turkey legs?
Here you can learn how to cook store bought smoked turkey legs it is easy, and possible by a number of methods. Using only a few items, you can cook smoked turkey legs in a conventional oven, in a slow cooker, microwave, an air fryer, or even on the grill.
How do you smoke turkey legs?
Discard the liquid. Place the legs on a sheet pan and pat the legs completely dry with paper towels. Sprinkle my BBQ rub generously over the turkey legs. Preheat your smoker to 250 degrees F, cooking indirectly. Add your favorite wood chips or wood chunks to help develop the smoky flavor.
Can you cook smoked turkey legs ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook smoked turkey legs ahead of time. Simply cook the turkey legs according to the instructions, then let them cool completely. Once the turkey legs are cool, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve the turkey legs, simply reheat them according to the instructions above.