Smoked Turkey Legs Insanely Delicious(Quick & Easy)

Smoked Turkey legs…. Juicy, tender, and full of flavor! This presmoked leg recipe is one of those meals you season up well, throw in the oven, and let the magic happen. They are pretty easy to make, not to mention the incredible taste. I can safely say they remind me of the Disney World Turkey Leg. They are easily found and a great addition to any holiday dinner.

What are smoked Turkey legs

Smoked Turkey legs are a part of the turkey’s body. It’s the leg. A smoker smokes the turkey legs. You can find them pre-smoked, or you can smoke them yourself. This recipe is particularly popular at Christmas and Thanksgiving but can be made anytime. You should make this recipe because it is simple and can be paired with almost anything. My air fryer green beans or my roasted potatoes. To name a couple.

Ingredients for Smoked Turkey legs

Smoked Turkey Legs- I used pre-smoked turkey legs without brine because they are easier to cook and take less time.

Butter-I used butter to ensure this turkey leg is full of flavor and tenderize the meat.

Seasonings: I used the absolute bare minimum when it comes to seasoning these Turkey legs. Why? Because this smoked turkey meat is already flavorful. I used garlic powder, Creole Seasoning, and black pepper.

How to make baked smoked turkey legs

Smoked Turkey legs are a recipe I find to be very easy to make. It’s only about 4 steps in this recipe. The majority of these smoked Turkey legs time is spent in the oven.

Variations

• Roast Turkey Legs: Instead of smoking the turkey legs, roast them in the oven. Season the turkey legs with your favorite spices and herbs, place them in a baking dish, and roast in a preheated oven at medium heat until they are cooked through and golden brown.
• Slow Cooker Turkey Legs: Another great way to cook turkey legs is in a slow cooker. Season the turkey legs, place them in the slow cooker with some liquid (such as broth or water), and cook on low heat for several hours until the meat is tender and falls off the bone.

• Grilled Turkey Legs: You can grill the turkey legs if you prefer a smoky flavor without using a smoker. Season the turkey legs, preheat your grill to medium heat, and place the legs on the grill grates. Cook for a few minutes on each side until they are cooked through and have grill marks.

• Turkey Thighs: If you can’t find turkey legs, turkey thighs are a great option. They have a similar flavor and texture, and you can use the same cooking process as you would for turkey legs.

• Fresh Turkey Legs: If you can’t find smoked turkey legs, you can use fresh turkey legs and add a smoky flavor using liquid smoke. Mix some liquid smoke with water, then marinate the turkey legs before cooking them. This will give them a smoky taste without the need for a smoker.

Remember to always cook turkey legs until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when measured in the thickest part of the meat using an instant-read thermometer. This ensures they are safe to eat.

Substitutions

• Instead of using smoked turkey legs, you can try using other cuts of turkey such as turkey breast or even a whole turkey. The cooking time and temperature may vary, so adjusting accordingly is important.

• To add flavor to your turkey, prepare a dry rub using ingredients like brown sugar, onion powder, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, and any other spices you enjoy. Apply the dry rub generously to the turkey, ensuring it covers the entire surface.

• If you prefer crispy skin, brush the turkey with a thin layer of olive oil before applying the dry rub. This will help the skin brown and crisp up during cooking.

• Preheat your oven to the suggested temperature for roasting turkey, typically around 325-350 degrees F. Use an oven thermometer to ensure the accurate oven temperature.

• Place the turkey on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper to catch any drippings. Insert a meat thermometer into the leg’s thickest part or breast, ensuring it doesn’t touch bone.

• Roast the turkey at a lower temperature for best results, allowing the meat to cook evenly and retain its moisture. Follow the recommended cooking time based on the weight of the turkey or until the thermometer reads 165 degrees F.

• If you have leftover smoked turkey legs from a previous meal, they can be reheated in the oven or on a grill to warm them up. Make sure to remove any connective tissue before reheating.

• When serving, present the turkey legs as the main dish, perfect for dark meat lovers. Pair them with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or cranberry sauce for a complete meal.

Remember, these substitutions and techniques provide a general guideline for cooking turkey legs in the oven. Adjustments may be needed based on personal preferences and the specific size and type of turkey you’re using. Enjoy your flavorful and satisfying meal!

Storage

Once you have taken all the meat off the bone, you will want to store it. These baked smoked turkey legs are about 4 ounces. So, you will have a lot left to eat if it’s only you.  You want to place your turkey meat in an airtight container and then place it in the refrigerator. You can also use an airtight ziplock bag.

Reheating

To reheat, make sure you remove your baked Turkey legs from the airtight container. Once you have done that, you will need to place the meat on an oven-safe plate and warm it up for 1 minute or until it reaches your desired temperature.

Tips

*Make sure you allow the turkey to cook for the full 3 hours.

*If the smoked Turkey leg is bigger, you need to let it bake until the inside reaches 165 degrees.

*Try not to use more seasonings than recommended because Turkey legs are already flavorful and salty.

Food Safety

Baked smoked Turkey wings come out really good and delicious, but you need to be cautious of the many pieces of bones that are in this recipe. Once you pull the meat off of the bone. You will know right away what I’m talking about. I remembered my first Disney Turkey leg. It was extremely amazing, but the bones weren’t that appetizing. Lol

Frequently Asked Questions

How to cook smoked Turkey legs in oven?

Baked smoked Turkey legs are pretty simple and straight to the point. As mentioned above. You don’t need a ton of ingredients to make this recipe.  Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, then wrap the turkey leg in aluminum foil. Place in the oven for 3 hours or until the inside temperature reaches 165 degrees.

How to smoke turkey legs?

I brought my legs pre-smoked, but to make them at home, you will need a brine and a smoker. In addition, allow turkey legs to sit in the brine for 24 hours. Next, you can inject the legs with any type of sauce. Secondly, you want to season the legs well with turkey rub. Lastly, add to your smoker for about two hours.

How long to cook smoked Turkey leg?

Cooking turkey legs solely depends on the size they are. I use a 4oz turkey leg, so I baked them at 409 degrees for about 3 hours.

Where to buy?

You can usually buy them at your local grocery stores. Such as Walmart, Publix, and Trader Joe’s, to name a few.

Remember, these substitutions and techniques provide a general guideline for cooking turkey legs in the oven. Adjustments may be needed based on personal preferences and the specific size and type of turkey you’re using. Enjoy your flavorful and satisfying meal!