Smoked Turkey Legs

User Reviews

5.0

9 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    5 mins

  • Cook Time

    2 hrs

  • Additional Time

    6 hrs

  • Total Time

    8 hrs 5 mins

  • Servings

    4 servings

  • Calories

    736 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    American

Smoked Turkey Legs

You don't need to wait for the State Fair to enjoy juicy Smoked Turkey Legs! Start with a simple, flavorful brine, then add the legs to your smoker for a couple of hours.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 4 cups water cold
  • ¼ cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon pink curing salt #1 (see note 1)
  • 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 turkey legs (see note 2)
  • olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
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Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, stir together the water, brown sugar, kosher salt, and curing salt until dissolved. Add peppercorns and bay leaves.
  2. Add turkey legs to the bowl, adding additional water if needed to cover, and top with a plate to ensure they remain submerged in the brine. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
  3. Preheat the smoker to 225 degrees. Remove turkey legs from brine and pat dry. Rub with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  4. Add turkey legs directly onto grate in the smoker. Close smoker and smoke until turkey legs are tender and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Remove from smoker, tent with foil, and allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Pink Curing Salt #1: Also known as Prague Powder or Insta Cure No. 1, this contains both sodium chloride (94%) and sodium nitrite (6%). It is used to preserve and cure meats such as bacon, ham, sausage, and corned beef, and gives cured meats a distinctive pink color. Pink Curing Salt is not safe to use as a table salt substitute.
  • Turkey Legs: Select bone-in, skin-on raw turkey legs for this recipe. Turkey legs typically weigh between 1 and 2 pounds each; aim for 5 pounds for this recipe.
  • Yield: This recipe makes 4 juicy Smoked Turkey Legs. The recipe easily doubles or triples for a crowd, so make a lot!
  • Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1 leg Calories 736kcal (37%) Carbohydrates 15g (5%) Protein 92g (184%) Fat 32g (49%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 9g Monounsaturated Fat 10g Cholesterol 334mg (111%) Sodium 2109mg (88%) Potassium 1337mg (38%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 31IU (1%) Vitamin C 0.02mg (0%) Calcium 111mg (11%) Iron 8mg (44%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 736 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 leg
Calories 736kcal 37%
Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Protein 92g 184%
Fat 32g 49%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9g 53%
Monounsaturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 334mg 111%
Sodium 2109mg 88%
Potassium 1337mg 28%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 13g 26%
Vitamin A 31IU 1%
Vitamin C 0.02mg 0%
Calcium 111mg 11%
Iron 8mg 44%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

5.0

9 reviews
Excellent

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