5.0 from 9 votes
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.
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
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the water, brown sugar, kosher salt, and curing salt until dissolved. Add peppercorns and bay leaves.
- 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.
- Preheat the smoker to 225 degrees. Remove turkey legs from brine and pat dry. Rub with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- 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.
Cup of Yum
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
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
% 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.