Smoked Turkey Legs - Dishes With Dad

↓ Jump to Recipe

These Smoked Turkey Legs are brined and slow smoked resulting in tender, juicy meat that's loaded with smokey and savory flavor.

Jump to:

• Why this Recipe Works
• Ingredient Notes
• How to Brine Turkey Legs
• How to Smoke Turkey Legs
• What to Serve with Smoked Turkey Legs
• Recipe Tips and FAQs
• More Turkey Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• More Recipes for the Smoker

Why this Recipe Works

Smoked turkey legs are a classic at theme parks, fairs, and carnivals, but they're also easy to make right in your own backyard.

An overnight bath in a sweet and salty brine ensures flavorful, juicy meat that's seasoned throughout. A homemade barbecue dry rub packs on sweet and salty flavors and a few hours in the smoker gives them that irresistible savory, smokiness.

So skip the lines and try this smoked turkey leg recipe today!

And for another delicious smoked turkey recipe check out my smoked bone-in turkey breast post.

Ingredient Notes

In this smoked turkey leg recipe we will use a simple brine and a homemade barbecue dry rub to add flavor to the turkey legs.

For more details on making homemade barbecue rub check out my post on all-purpose barbecue rub. Store bought rub will also work just fine for this smoked turkey recipe.

How to Brine Turkey Legs

Brining your turkey legs is a critical step for making the best smoked turkey legs. The brine penetrates the meat to add flavor and moisture to the meat to help keep them from drying out during the slow cooking process. To brine turkey legs:

1. Heat 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the salt and sugar and stir until dissolved, then turn off heat and add 4-5 cups of ice to cool the mixture.
2. Combine the cooled mixture with the remaining water, ice, bay leaves, and peppercorns in a large stock pot.
3. Submerge the turkey legs in the brine and cover, then refrigerate for at least 8 hours, up to 24 hours.

How to Smoke Turkey Legs

Turkey legs have a lot of connective tissue, so a slow smoke is perfect to break all of that down which results in tender, flavorful meat. And the smoke gives the meat a delicious ham-like flavor without any of the gaminess of dark meat. It's my favorite way to make turkey legs!

1. Preheat your smoker to 250°F.
2. Remove the turkey legs from the brine and thoroughly dry with paper towels. Rub a light coat of olive oil on the turkey legs, then liberally coat them with the dry rub.

3. Add the turkey legs to your smoker and close the lid. Add wood chunks to produce the smoke.
4. Cook the turkey legs for around 2 1⁄2 to 3 hours, until they reach an internal temperature of 170°F. Let rest for around 15 minutes before serving.

What to Serve with Smoked Turkey Legs

Smoked turkey goes great with most traditional barbecue side dishes. Some of my favorites are:

• Instant Pot Baked Beans
• Hawaiian Mac Salad
• Creamy Bacon Mac and Cheese
• Instant Pot Southern Style Green Beans

Recipe Tips and FAQs

How to store smoked turkey

Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

How to reheat turkey legs

Wrap your leftover turkey legs in foil and reheat in a 275°F oven for 10 minutes, or until warmed through.

What temperature to smoke turkey legs

I reccomend smoking turkey legs at 250°F. Cooking at this temperature allows plenty of time for the turkey legs to absorb smoke and for the collagen and connective tissue to break down. Many recipes for smoked turkey legs reccomend 225°F, but I find the skin gets tougher at a lower temperature.

Can I freeze smoked turkey legs?

Yes, smoked turkey can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Cook in a 275°F oven until warmed through.

More Turkey Recipes

• Herb Roasted Split Turkey Breast
• Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers
• Easy Instant Pot Turkey Pot Pie
• Turkey Meatloaf
• Sheet Pan Roasted Turkey Breast with Stuffing and Vegetables

If you try this recipe, don't forget to leave a RATING or COMMENT below. I would love to hear from you!!! And FOLLOW me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest recipes!

Add us as a trusted site on Google

📖 Recipe

Smoked Turkey Legs

Author: Scott These Smoked Turkey Legs are brined and slow smoked resulting in tender, juicy meat that's loaded with smokey and savory flavor. 5 from 6 votes Print Pin SaveSaved! Pinterest Facebook Share on X WhatsApp Share Prep Time: 15 minutes minsCook Time: 3 hours hrsTotal Time: 3 hours hrs 15 minutes minsServings: 6 Enable Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 6 Turkey Legs

Turkey Leg Brine

• 2 cups hot water
• 8 cups cold water
• 6 cups ice
• ⅓ cup Kosher salt
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 4 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns

Barbecue Dry Rub

• 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons sweet paprika
• 2 Tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 Tablespoon black pepper
• 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 Teaspoon onion powder
• ½ Teaspoon dry mustard powder
• ¼ Teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

Brine

• Heat 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the salt and sugar and stir until dissolved, then turn off heat and add 4-5 cups of ice to cool the mixture.
• Combine the cooled mixture with the remaining water, ice, bay leaves, and peppercorns in a large stock pot.
• Submerge the turkey legs in the brine and cover, then refrigerate for at least 8 hours, up to 24 hours.

Smoke

• Preheat your smoker to 250°F. Remove the turkey legs from the brine and thoroughly dry with paper towels.
• Rub a light coat of olive oil on the turkey legs, then liberally coat them with the dry rub.
• Add the turkey legs to your smoker and close the lid. Add wood chunks to produce the smoke.
• Cook the turkey legs for around 2 1⁄2 to 3 hours, until they reach an internal temperature of 170°F. Let rest for around 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 583kcalProtein: 64gFat: 24gCholesterol: 220mgSodium: 1786mgPotassium: 774mgSugar: 1g

* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.

Course: Main CourseCuisine: American Tried this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating above and mention @disheswithdad or tag #disheswithdad on social media!

More Recipes for the Smoker

• Smoked Whole Chicken
• Smoked Leg of Lamb
• Smoked Chuck Roast
• Smoked Pork Tenderloin Wrapped in Bacon
• Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings
• Smoked St. Louis Spare Ribs