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Want to make a statement, then these smoked turkey legs will do the trick. These Fred Flintstone style drumsticks are a guys treat and kids can’t get enough of them. Smoked to perfection, with tender and juicy meat, this recipe is easy and fun to make.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Prepare the overnight brine
Soaking turkey meat in a brine for 12-24 hours is a must. It’s the secret to having tender juicy skin. Turkey is known to be a drier meat. But if cooked properly, you could have a winning dish.
The brine is simple, pour 1 gallon of water in a deep dish. Add half a cup of salt and another half a cup of brown sugar. Whisk the ingredients together until they dissolve in the water. Place the unfrozen turkey legs into the brine, close shut and store overnight in the refrigerator.
Recipe Tip
- Brine overnight. This process helps the meat stay juicy during long cook times.
Step 2: Next day prep
When removing the soaked turkey legs from the brine, rinse and dry well. Make sure to pat them dry under the skin as well. You do not want any moisture on the outside.
Next spray on some cooking oil and season with Dad’s All Purpose rub.
Dad’s Seasonings
Must have grillin seasonings!
Step 3: Smoking turkey legs
Preheat the grill to 275 degrees and set for indirect heat. Place the seasoned turkey legs on the grates and smoke for about 1.5-2 hours depending on the size or to 175 degrees internal temperature. By grilling the meat to a higher temperature, allows the tendons and fat to render off leaving only soft and juicy meat with each bite.
While the meat is on the grill, make a buttery BBQ sauce by simply melting a stick of unsalted butter and whisking it into your favorite BBQ sauce. Just before removing the turkey off the grill, brush the sauce over the entire leg and let it cook for another 5 minutes to help caramelize it.
Remove off the grill and let the smoked turkey legs rest for 10 minutes. Enjoy!
Turkey Leg Grilling Tips
- Grill to an internal temp of 175 degrees. This helps render down the tendons.
- Grilling at a higher temp ensures a better bite through on the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions:
All my recipes can be replicated in the oven, stove top or gas grill. You do not need a big green egg or weber grill to replicate any of my recipes.
The best way to avoid dry meat or know if any protein is ready is to check the internal temperature. Turkey are no different. Remove the turkey legs at 175 internal degrees for the perfect tender and juicy meat and let it rest for 10 minutes.
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Printer Friendly Recipe
Smoked Turkey Legs
Ingredients
- 3 Fresh turkey drumsticks
- 1 gal Water
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup Salt
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar
- 3 tbsp Dad's all purpose rub
- 1 stick Unsalted butter
Instructions
- Pour 1 gallon of water in a deep dish. Add salt and brown sugar and whisk the ingredients in the water until they dissolve. Place the turkey legs into the brine, close shut and store overnight in the refrigerator.
- Next day, rinse the turkey legs and pat dry well.
- Preheat the grill to 275 degrees and set for indirect heat.
- Place the seasoned turkey legs on the grates and smoke for about 1.5-2 hours depending on the size or to 175 degrees internal temperature.
- Melt a stick of unsalted butter and whisking it into your favorite BBQ sauce. Just before removing the turkey off the grill, brush the sauce over the entire leg and let it cook for another 5 minutes to help caramelize it.
- Remove off the grill and let the smoked turkey legs rest for 10 minutes
Nutrition
Check out the Recipes Page for other tasty ideas!
