Smoke Turkey Legs
Smoking meat may just be the quintessential grilling technique many strive to master. But smoking meat is not as difficult as it may seem. Learning how to smoke turkey legs in a smoker or on your grill will drive your friends and family to your backyard. And when you serve the smoked turkey, you may feel as though you have stepped back in time. Turkey legs can be soaked in brine, marinated or seasoned with a rub to create varying flavors.
Steps
- Smoke turkey legs using a smoker.
- Preheat the smoker to 200 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit (93 to 104 degrees Celsius).
- Rinse the turkey legs under cool water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Coat the turkey legs, as well as under the skin, with your favorite seasonings.
- Place the turkey legs in the smoker and cook for about 4 hours.
- Check the temperature of the turkey legs with a meat thermometer. The temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Smoke turkey legs using a charcoal grill.
- Preheat the grill to 225 to 240 degrees Fahrenheit (107 to 116 degrees Celsius).
- Clean the turkey legs under cool water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Sprinkle the turkey legs, as well as under the skin, with your favorite seasonings.
- Put some wood chips directly on the coals or use a smoker wood box.
- Place the turkey legs on the grill and cook for 4 to 6 hours.
- Check the temperature of the turkey legs with a meat thermometer. The turkey legs are done cooking when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Smoke turkey legs using a gas grill.
- Preheat the grill to 225 to 240 degrees Fahrenheit (107 to 116 degrees Celsius).
- Soak the wood chips in a bowl of water for 30 minutes.
- Rinse the turkey legs under cool water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Coat the turkey legs, as well as under the skin, with your favorite seasonings.
- Place the wood chips onto a sheet of foil. Fold up all the ends to enclose the chips. Poke holes into the foil with a knife and place the pouch under the grill grate over a burner shield.
- Put the turkey legs on the grill and cook for 4 to 6 hours.
- Check the turkey legs with a meat thermometer. They are finished cooking when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
Tips
- Brine the turkey legs before smoking to help keep them moist.
- Keep the grill lid closed as much as possible for the food to benefit from the smoke.
- Marinate the turkey legs with a rub and refrigerate several hours before cooking.
Warnings
- Do not use a fork to handle the meat; piercing will cause the meat to lose its juices.
- Always wash your hands after handling raw poultry.
- Do not eat undercooked turkey to avoid the risk of illness due to bacteria.
Things You'll Need
- Turkey Legs
- Smoker
- Grill
- Tongs
- Paper Towels
- Seasonings
- Wood Chips
- Bowl
- Water
- Foil
- Knife
- Meat Thermometer
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