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.

Turkey Grilling Tips:

• Brine overnight.  This process helps the meat stay juicy during long cook times.
• 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.

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. 

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. 

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!

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Smoked Turkey Legs

Smoked to perfection, with tender and juicy meat, this smoked turkey legs recipe is fun and easy to make.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

INGREDIENTS

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 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.
• Spray on some cooking oil and season with Dad's All Purpose rub.
• 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

Keyword smoked turkey legs, turkey, grilled turkey, turkey drumsticks, smoked turkey, how to smoke turkey legs, turkey legs recipe

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