These smoked turkey legs are simple to make, extremely flavorful, and want little or no hands-on time. Smoker and oven directions included.
If you’re like me, you could have reminiscences of having fun with Turkey drumsticks at Disney or any mainstream carnival (or my native Renaissance honest…significantly). Now, each time you crave them, my copycat recipe is your reply!
I sometimes bake turkey drumsticks, however I used to be impressed by my household’s favourite smoked turkey wings, I tweaked it slightly so you may smoke drumsticks, too.
Desk of Contents
Why this recipe works
- Excellent for making forward. The recipe is fairly hands-off when you brine, dry rub, and arrange the turkey legs for smoking. You’ll have loads of time to play the right host, mingle, and revel in a drink or two.
- It’s an important different to entire turkey. Whereas I like a standard entire roasted turkey, making smoked turkey legs simplifies issues. Additionally, if your loved ones fights during the last turkey leg each time you prepare dinner one (like mine does), now nobody misses out. Â
- Works for all events. This versatile recipe is a crowd-pleaser for a giant household meal, yard cookout, or Thanksgiving dinner.
Substances Wanted
One among my favourite issues about this recipe is that you simply want only a handful of straightforward substances to make this flavorful dish. Right here’s what you’ll want:
- Turkey legs. When shopping for turkey legs, search for the share of retained water and if the turkey is basted. We don’t want a pre-basted turkey as a result of we’ll be brining them ourselves. As an alternative, search for plump turkey legs, ideally from a butcher, NOT a grocery retailer. If the turkey is lean and has much less water retention, scale back the cooking temperature by 20-25°F.
For the brine.Â
- Water. Base for the brining liquid.
- Coarse salt. Kosher salt and sea salt work effectively with this recipe.
- Curing salt. This distinctive salt (Sodium nitrate) is used for wet-curing of meats. You get the right pink coloration inside (much like a smoked ham).
- Brown sugar. Brining is all about balancing the flavors. And the brown sugar does simply that and provides a little bit of sweetness.
- Bay leaves, cloves, mustard seeds, and peppercorns. My most well-liked spice combine for the brine. These 4 specific spices praise each other very effectively.
- Ice cubes. It cools down the new brine to securely place it within the fridge.
For the dry rub.
- Brown sugar. For slightly little bit of sweetness and the irresistible, crispy caramelization!
- Coarse salt and black pepper. For the seasoning.
- Garlic powder. For the daring garlic taste.
- Smoked paprika. For a contact of warmth.
Discover the printable recipe with measurements beneath.
Learn how to make the most effective turkey legs
Making smoked turkey drumsticks is manner simpler than you suppose, and the smoker takes care of all of the onerous work.
Step 1- Prep the turkey legs. Rinse the turkey legs and place them in a big container. Add bay leaves, cloves, mustard seeds, peppercorns, and ice cubes.Â
Step 2- Make the brine. Mix brown sugar, coarse and curing salt, and water in a saucepan and produce to a boil. Cool it down and pour it over the turkey legs. Lid the container and refrigerate in a single day (or 12 hours).Â
Step 3- Make the dry rub. Mix brown sugar, coarse salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika in a bowl.Â
Step 4- Coat turkey drums with the dry rub. Take away the turkey drums from the brine, pat them dry, and rub them with olive oil. Then, coat with the ready spice and place the turkey legs on the preheated pellet smoker.
Step 5- Smoke the turkey legs. Smoke the turkey legs for 3-4 hours or till the internal temperature reaches 165F.
Various cooking strategies
Like with any of my smoker recipes, I additionally take a look at all of them within the oven and grill, too. So, should you don’t personal a smoker, don’t fret- I’ve you lined.
To oven bake: Prep the turkey legs as instructed. Place them on a wire rack over a foil-rimmed baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 180C/350F for 45 minutes, or till the meat reaches an inside temperature of 165F. Activate the broil setting and broil for 2-3 minutes or till your required crispness stage.
To grill: As soon as the turkey is brined and seasoned, place it on a scorching charcoal grill with clear grill grates. Grill the turkey legs for 12-Quarter-hour on either side. Let the rooster relaxation for five minutes earlier than serving.
Tricks to make the most effective recipe
- Don’t hasten the cooking. Keep away from turning up the warmth in an try to prepare dinner quicker. As a result of turkey legs have a number of muscular tissues and tendons, it takes 3 to 4 hours for the collagen to soften. The result’s superbly moist, tender meat! In any other case, you’ll find yourself with actually robust turkey legs.
- Use a meat thermometer. The surefire approach to know when your turkey is totally cooked. As soon as the interior temp is 165F, it’s able to take pleasure in.
- Get completely crispy pores and skin. Smoke the turkey over low warmth for a most a part of the prepare dinner. In direction of the tip of your cooking, ramp up the warmth to 350F to take pleasure in completely crispy pores and skin! Alternatively, you may baste or spritz the pores and skin for the beautiful crackling. Â Â
- Modify per your salt desire. The salt might look slightly excessive however keep in mind, we discard most it earlier than cooking. In the event you actually aren’t a fan of all of the sodium, scale back the quantity by half.
- Fully submerge the turkey legs. Dip the turkey legs solely within the brining liquid for even brining and constant texture and taste.
Storage directions
To retailer. Enable the turkey legs to chill, and refrigerate them in an hermetic container for 3 days. Â
To freeze. Place leftover turkey in a ziplock bag and retailer it within the freezer for as much as 6 months.
To reheat. Reheat smoked turkey legs within the oven, lined. Or steam them to forestall them from drying out.
Continuously requested questions
Though it actually is determined by the smoker, mild wooden chips like cherry or apple work effectively for this recipe as a result of it isn’t overpowering. In the event you want an excellent smoky taste, go for oak or hickory.
No, that’s not required. In reality, you need it to retain the flavour as a lot as attainable.
I don’t suggest brining the meat for over 24 hours. Overbrining will break down your meat and make it manner too salty to devour.
Certain, you may! Bear in mind to thaw your frozen turkey legs earlier than brining them in order that they take up all the attractive flavors.
Extra scrumptious methods to prepare dinner turkey
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Rinse the turkey legs and place them in a big container.Â
Add bay leaves, cloves, mustard seeds, peppercorns, and ice cubes.Â
In a saucepan, mix brown sugar, coarse salt, and curing salt. Add water and produce to a boil. Calm down the ready brine and pour it over the turkey legs. Refrigerate for 12 hours.
Preheat your smoker to 225-250F together with your favourite hardwood.Â
Take away the turkey legs from the brine and pat them dry. Rub the turkey drums with olive oil.
In a bowl, mix brown sugar, coarse salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.Â
Rub the turkey with the ready spice combine and place them on the smoker. Smoke the turkey legs for 3 hours or till the internal temperature reaches 165F.
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 286kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 37gFats: 15gSodium: 1047mgPotassium: 642mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 155IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 4mgNET CARBS: 7g
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