smoked turkey legs

This smoked turkey legs recipe was inspired by the turkey legs we'd get at Disney World as kids. Rather surprisingly, they're not that hard to make at home.

Smoked Turkey Legs (Disney Copycat Recipe)

water

salt

brown sugar

garlic powder

onion powder

thyme

sage

black pepper

cloves

allspice

paprika

liquid smoke

turkey legs

Natural hardwood lump charcoal

Smoking wood chips ((e.g. apple wood

Charcoal grill

Charcoal chimney starter

Combine all of the ingredients for the brine in a large pot and bring to a boil. Let cool. if you're short on time, you can also start by boiling the brine with just 2 quarts of water and then adding ice to cool to 1 gallon of brine.

While that's happening, rinse your turkey legs and set aside in a large container (one that will fit into your refrigerator). You may want to use two separate containers. When the brine has cooled, pour the brine over the turkey legs, making sure they are totally submerged. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

If you want to expedite the process, use a marinade injector, injecting one syringe-full of brine into each turkey leg (1½ syringe-fulls for the larger turkey legs). Then, let brine as usual for 5-6 hours. This way, the turkey legs don't need to brine overnight. Sounds gruesome, but it really expedites the process, and these marinade injectors are pretty inexpensive!

When the turkey legs are ready, heat your charcoal. Your key tools for this recipe are a charcoal grill, a chimney starter, charcoal, and wet wood chips, which provides the smoky flavor. Fill your chimney with charcoal and light the coals with a piece of newspaper. Let heat for a solid 15-20 minutes or so--until the coals are slightly white hot. Also, take 1-2 handfuls of wood chips and soak them in water while the coals are heating.

Pour the coals into the grill and scatter the wood chips around the coals. Lay your grill rack over the coals. Place the turkey legs on the grill rack and close the grill.

chimney-full of coal is enough to start for an average-sized charcoal grill. Add another chimney of coal every 20-30 minutes, depending on the kind of charcoal you're using. Periodically add additional wet wood chips to make more smoke as needed. More wood chips makes more smoke, increasing the "hammy" smoked flavor of the turkey legs. You can cater this to your personal preferences. I like a very hammy smoked turkey leg; my aunt prefers more of a natural flavor. Take your pick!

The slow cooking method is key here. Periodically check the turkey legs, turning every once in a while, and make sure the grill maintains a temperature of 300-325 degrees. There is some element of trial and error to this if you're a first-timer; make observations and adjust amounts of charcoal, wood chips, and heat over the course of the cooking time.

Maintain the grill, charcoal, and wood chips, letting the turkey cook for 3 ½ to 4 hours--until the turkey legs have a nice, dark smoky color that a young Chinese girl once thought only existed within the walls of Disney World.

Serve immediately and let your inner caveman / inner Disney World fanatic dig in!

How to cook store bought smoked turkey legs

store bought, pre smoked turkey leg

olive oil

chicken broth (optional)

all purpose bbq rub

all purpose bbq rub or homemade chicken dry rub

bbq sauce

Coat turkey leg with olive oil and season with bbq rub or homemade chicken rub. 

Bake in the oven at 350°F for 35 minutes or until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°.  

To keep the turkey moist you can add a pan of chicken broth underneath the turkey leg while it&#8217;s baking. 

Oven baked 

Place turkey leg in air fryer at 375°F for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the turkey leg reaches 165°F. 

Air fried 

Grill turkey leg on medium heat, flipping occasionally to ensure even cooking. 

Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165°.

Smoke at 225° for a two hours or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. 

Once the turkey leg reaches 145°F increase the temperature of the smoker to 275°F and brush bbq  sauce on the turkey. Continue cooking until turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. 

Grilled

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Top 2 smoked turkey legs recipes from across the web

The most viewed smoked turkey legs recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

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How to cook store bought smoked tur...

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