Smoked Turkey Legs Recipes

SMOKED TURKEY LEGS RECIPE | TRAEGER GRILLS

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, combine the warm water, the rub, curing salt, brown sugar, allspice, if using, peppercorns, bay leaves, and liquid smoke. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the salt . Let cool to room temperature. Add the cold water and ice, then chill the brine in the refrigerator.
• Add the turkey legs to the brine, making sure they're completely submerged. Refrigerate for 24 hours, then remove the turkey legs and discard the brine. Rinse the legs under cold water, then dry thoroughly with paper towels. Brush off any clinging solid spices.
• When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 250℉ and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes.
• Insert the probe into the thickest part of a turkey leg, avoiding touching the bone. Lay the turkey legs directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165℉ and the turkey legs are deeply browned, 4-5 hours. Don't be alarmed if the meat under the skin is pinkish; that's a chemical reaction from the cure and the smoke.
• Serve immediately. Enjoy!

SMOKED TURKEY LEGS

Steps:

• Combine water, kosher salt, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, pepper, cumin, and sage for brine in a large pot. Bring to boil, making sure salt is completely dissolved. Remove from heat, cover, and let cool to room temperature, 20 to 30 minutes. Pour into a container and refrigerate brine until cold, or to 35 to 40 degrees F (2 to 4 degrees C).
• Rinse turkey legs in cold water and pat dry. Place legs into cold brine, cover and refrigerate, 4 to 6 hours.
• Remove legs from the brine, rinse well in cold water, and dry with paper towels. Discard brine.
• Combine oil, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, pepper, cumin, and sage for spice rub in a small bowl; mix with a fork until well combined. Generously rub legs with spice rub until covered. Let legs sit on a cooling rack for about 1 hour.
• Preheat a smoker to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C).
• Place turkey legs, unstacked, onto wire racks. Place the racks into the preheated smoker. Smoke until meat is falling off of the bone, 4 to 6 hours. Remove from smoker and let rest, 20 to 30 minutes.

SMOKED TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• Dry the turkey breast: Remove the turkey from the brine and place it on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. With a paper towel, remove any residual salt and brine ingredients from the turkey. Discard the brine. Place the turkey in the refrigerator uncovered for 24 hours. This will help the skin to dry out and crisp when smoked.

SMOKED TURKEY LEGS

Steps:

• Several hours before planning on barbecuing, loosen the skin on the turkey legs by running your fingers under it as far as possible without tearing the skin.
• Combine the Worcestershire sauce and the oil. Coat your fingers with the mixture and rub really well into the turkey legs, getting as much as you can under the skin. Sprinkle the Dry Rub over the skin, liberally rubbing into the turkey legs and under the skin. Place the legs in plastic bags and refrigerate.
• Prepare the smoker for barbecuing, bringing the temperature to 200 to 220 degrees F. Remove the turkey legs from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
• Re-warm the mop mixture over low heat.
• Transfer the turkey legs to the smoker. Cook until the legs are very tender and the juices run clear, about 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Mop the legs at 45-minute intervals in a wood-burning pit, or as appropriate for your style of smoker. Serve the legs hot, to be eaten with your fingers, with a side of barbecue sauce.
• Mix ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Combine the mop ingredients in a small saucepan and warm the mixture over low heat.