I tested 4 ways to cook store bought smoked turkey legs and the results were surprising!
With the holidays approaching, turkey legs are in high demand and quite popular. But what is the best way to prep and cook them? Starting from scratch can be a mess and time consuming so I tested 4 ways to reheat store bought smoked turkey legs to find out which method was the best and why.
In this blog post, I will cover and evaluate the 4 methods I chose: oven baked, air fried, smoked and grilled. I will also explore some frequently asked questions about store bought smoked turkey legs.
Turkey legs are a classic dish that can be enjoyed year-round, not just during the holidays. When cooked properly at the right temperature, turkey legs come out incredibly moist, flavorful and delicious with crispy, golden brown skin. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about achieving turkey leg perfection through using the ideal cooking temperature.
Why Temperature Matters
Temperature plays a critical role in cooking turkey legs properly If the temperature is too low, the turkey will be undercooked and unsafe to eat. If it’s too high, the turkey will dry out quickly.
The perfect temperature helps break down the proteins and collagen in the meat slowly so that it can become tender and juicy as it cooks. It also allows the fat under the skin to render and baste the meat leading to crispy skin.
So what’s the magic number for succulent, mouthwatering turkey legs every time? Read on to find out.
What is the Best Temperature for Cooking Turkey Legs?
The ideal internal temperature for cooked turkey legs is 165°F to 175°F, This range ensures the legs reach safe eating temperatures while still retaining moisture and tenderness
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 165°F is the minimum safe temperature for cooked poultry. At this point, any potential bacteria have been killed off.
For the juiciest legs, aim for 170°F to 175°F, pulling them off the heat just before they hit 175°F. This prevents them from overcooking.
As a general rule of thumb, the thinner the cut of turkey, the lower end of the temperature range you can use. For thick turkey legs, aim for the higher end around 175°F.
How to Tell When Turkey Legs Are Fully Cooked
The most reliable way to determine doneness for turkey legs is by using an instant-read meat thermometer. Thermometers provide a precise internal temperature reading to take the guesswork out of knowing when the legs are done.
Simply insert the probe into the thickest part of the leg, avoiding contact with any bones. Wait 10-15 seconds for an accurate reading.
In addition to temperature, there are a few visual cues that indicate turkey legs are fully cooked:
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The meat has pulled away from the bone slightly and looks opaque throughout when cut into.
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The juices run clear when pierced with a knife or fork.
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The skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
If relying on visual cues alone, it’s best to aim for the higher end of the temperature range around 175°F to guarantee doneness. A thermometer is foolproof.
Oven Roasting Temperature for Turkey Legs
Oven roasting is a simple, hands-off cooking method that yields tender, flavorful turkey legs. The optimal oven temperature is between 325°F and 350°F.
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325°F is on the lower end but allows the legs to cook slowly and evenly. The lower heat helps render fat and crisp the skin without overcooking the meat.
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350°F produces golden, well-browned skin at a faster rate. It’s ideal if you’re short on time.
Cooking times vary based on the size of the legs and oven temperature. Plan on roasting for around 90 minutes up to 2 hours until the internal temperature hits 165-175°F.
Always let the legs rest for 10-15 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute. The temperature will rise about 5°F during this time.
Deep Frying Turkey Legs
Deep frying is a quick cooking method that yields ultra-crispy skin on turkey legs. Use an oil thermometer and maintain the temperature between 350-375°F for best results.
At 350°F, the legs will need 12-15 minutes to cook through fully. If increasing the temperature to 375°F, reduce cook time to 9-12 minutes.
Fry for fewer minutes per side if cooking drumsticks alone, which will cook faster than whole legs. Carefully monitor temperature to avoid overcooking.
Let oil return to temperature between batches. For safety, fry in small batches and don’t overfill the pot with oil.
Grilling Temps for Turkey Legs
The hot, dry heat of the grill is ideal for achieving crispy skin on turkey legs. Use a medium-high heat between 375-400°F.
At this temperature range, turkey legs will need around 40-60 minutes to reach 165-175°F, turning occasionally.
Move them to indirect heat or turn down the temperature if flare-ups occur. Brushing with a glaze or oil prevents drying out.
If grilling drumsticks alone, they will cook faster than whole legs. Start checking temperature after 30 minutes.
Smoking Turkey Legs Low and Slow
For maximum flavor and tender meat, try smoking turkey legs low and slow at 225-250°F. Whole legs will need 2-3 hours for the collagen to break down fully at this temp.
Maintain a consistent, even temperature in your smoker for best results. Use wood chips like hickory, apple, cherry or maple for flavor.
Monitor the internal temperature, shooting for at least 165°F in the thickest part of the meat before removing from the smoker.
Finishing in the Oven
For an extra touch of smoky flavor, smoke turkey legs for 1-2 hours until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Then finish cooking in a 350°F oven until 165-175°F for tender results.
This helps prevent the legs from drying out if over-smoked while still benefiting from time in the smoker. Rely on your thermometer for doneness.
Key Takeaways
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The ideal internal temperature for turkey legs is between 165-175°F for optimal safety, moisture and texture.
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Always use an instant-read thermometer to accurately determine doneness, inserting into the thickest section.
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Oven temperatures between 325-350°F work well for roasting flavorful, tender turkey legs with crispy skin.
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For grilling, target a medium-high heat of 375-400°F and cook for 40-60 minutes until fully cooked through.
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Fry turkey legs at 350-375°F for the perfect balance of juicy meat and ultra-crispy skin.
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For maximum flavor, smoke at 225-250°F for 2-3 hours then finish cooking in the oven if needed.
Using the right internal temperature and method will ensure your turkey legs turn out perfectly cooked from the inside out every single time. Now that you know the secrets to success, get ready to enjoy tender, mouthwatering turkey legs!
Can I use a crock pot to cook turkey legs?
This is a method that I do not prefer. The reason is that the turkey legs became mushy and dried out being left in a crock pot all day. It’s kind of crazy that the turkey leg could be dry and mushy at the same time, but the slow cooker did it.
The texture was not favorable and it was one of my least favorite methods. I would only use this method if you plan on shredding the turkey meat off the bone for sandwiches or something else.
How long does it take to reheat turkey legs?
Like any protein you cook, the time it takes to preheat the turkey legs will be determined by the size of the leg and how hot you are cooking at.
It is always best to use a meat thermometer to make sure things are cooked to the proper internal temperature. Never rely on time alone. Trust me I’m speaking from experience and heart-ache!
For this method start by removing the turkey leg from the packaging and patting it dry with paper towels. There is no need to wash the turkey leg but feel free to rinse in cold water if you prefer.
These turkey legs can often taste bland so I like to season them lightly with an all purpose low sodium bbq rub or poultry seasoning.
Place the turkey leg on a wire cooking rack on top of a baking sheet and cook at 350°F until an internal temp of 165°F. This took me about 35 minutes.
The turkey legs are already safe to eat as they are pre cooked but taking them to 165°F ensures they are cooked through and hot.
To keep the turkey leg moist, place a foil pan underneath with some chicken broth. As the chicken broth warms and starts to create steam, it will help the turkey from drying out.
The result of this method was what I expected. The turkey leg was nice and baked, had a smoky flavor and was warm throughout.
To air fry, remove your turkey leg from the packaging, pat dry with paper towels, then cover in olive oil and lightly season with bbq or poultry seasoning.
You will need to find an air fryer that’s large enough to hold the turkey leg. Cook your turkey at 375 °F until the internal temp is 165°F.
You should flip the leg a few times during this process to make sure both sides are evenly cooked. The result are a tender and hot turkey leg with crispy skin in about 20 minutes! This is one of my favorite methods.
Even though turkey legs come pre smoked, smoking them again really wakes up the smoke flavor. Season the turkey with an all purpose bbq rub and smoke at 225°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. I used my pellet smoker with apple wood pellets.
Fruit woods like apple and cherry are delicate and are great smoking woods for turkey. For a stronger smoke flavor, try hickory or mesquite.
I also brushed on some bbq sauce towards the end of the cook and raised the temperature of the smoker to 275°F to let the sauce tack up on the meat before removing. This method really created something you’d find at Disney World or a state fair.
The grilled turkey legs were also delicious because the grill imparts that flavorful char on the outside of the meat. The turkey also had a great texture.
Coat the turkey legs in olive oil and season them with a bbq rub. With the grill at medium heat, cook the legs, flipping back and forth a few times until reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
What temp should turkey legs be cooked to?
FAQ
What temperature should turkey legs be cooked at?
What is the target temperature for a turkey leg?
Are turkey thighs done at 165?
How do you cook turkey legs in the oven?
Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Pat dry the turkey legs with paper towels. Prep Turkey: Whisk the melted butter with the salt, garlic powder and pepper. Generously brush the butter mixture all around the turkey legs. Transfer To Oven: Transfer the turkey legs to a greased baking pan, skin side down and transfer to the preheated oven.
What temperature do you cook turkey legs in a convection oven?
Convection ovens will cook the legs faster than conventional ovens. To ensure that the turkey legs are cooked through, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and make sure that the temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. What temperature should I cook turkey legs in the oven?
Can You reheat turkey legs in the oven?
You can reheat turkey legs in the oven! I recommend taking the turkey legs out of the fridge to bring them to room temp. Then place on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil and heat for about 30 minutes. How to make Turkey Legs in the Oven? Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Brush legs with melted butter.