These copycat Disney World Smoked Turkey Legs are easy to make and full of those classic smoky-salty flavors you desire when you crave this fair, or amusement park treat. These turkey legs are juicy and tender from the brine with a perfectly crispy crust from the grill.
Perfect to whip up when longing for this coveted dish or elegant enough to serve at a holiday dinner.
When I was young, trips to Disney World were met with so much excitement. Not only did I get to visit the most amazing place on Earth – I mean who wouldn’t be excited about that?! But it also meant time off of school! And as a kid, I’ll swap working on multiplication times tables for coloring books and games of I Spy, any day thank you very much!
And for me, the dish I could not wait to devour and enjoy was the Smoked Turkey Legs! Deliciously salty and smoked to a rich, dark, and glossy perfection. For me, it was those drumsticks that were the main attraction.
And while we can’t take a trip to Disney every time a Smoked Turkey Leg craving hits, I can whip up a batch of these copycat turkey drumsticks! They are so easy to make and taste just like the real deal, and in my opinion, better if that’s even possible!
Plus, you can make them in a big batch with relative ease, and that is always a win-win in my household!
Smoked turkey legs are a classic fairground and theme park treat, with their iconic giant size and irresistible smoky, salty flavor. But did you know you can easily recreate these juicy, tender drumsticks at home? While buying pre-smoked turkey legs from the store is an option, learning how to smoke and bake your own turkey legs allows you the freedom to customize the flavor. The key is finding the right balance between smoky depth and moist, succulent meat.
How Long Does it Take to Smoke a Turkey Leg?
Smoking is the key to infusing your turkey leg with that signature charred, wood-fired taste. Most turkey legs take 1-2 hours to smoke fully, depending on the size. Smaller legs around 1.5 lbs may only need 1 hour, while larger legs over 2 lbs could take up to 2 hours to reach the ideal internal temperature.
Aim to smoke the turkey legs between 225-250°F, using woods like hickory, oak, or apple for the best flavor. Brining the legs first in a saltwater solution ensures they stay juicy and seasoned throughout the smoking process. Smoke the legs until they reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F. The meat will still look slightly pink, but this means they are perfectly smoked.
How Long to Bake Smoked Turkey Legs for Maximum Tenderness
Once smoked your turkey legs need a quick stint in the oven to finish cooking and become melt-in-your-mouth tender. Luckily this second bake is fast and easy.
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At 350°F, bake for only 30-45 minutes. Since the legs are already smoked, they just need to reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Check them at 30 minutes and continue baking if needed until fully 165°F.
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Watch for crispy skin The high oven heat will help the skin crisp up, Keep an eye on the legs toward the end to avoid burning,
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Add broth for moisture. Placing a roasting pan filled with chicken or turkey broth under the baking sheet will add moisture and prevent drying.
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Rest before serving. Let legs rest 5-10 minutes before digging in. This allows juices to redistribute through the meat.
So in total, smoking for 1-2 hours plus a 30-45 minute oven bake gives you the perfect combo of smoky depth and moist, fork-tender meat. While smoked turkey legs purchased cooked may seem quicker, nothing beats the flavor of smoking them yourself and customizing the process to your taste. With the right technique, you can have competition-worthy smoked drumsticks without leaving home.
Turkey Leg Cooking Times at a Glance
- 1.5 pound legs: Smoke 1 hour, Bake 30 minutes
- 2 pound legs: Smoke 1.5 hours, Bake 45 minutes
- 2.5 pound legs: Smoke 2 hours, Bake 45 minutes
These timings ensure your turkey legs are smoked through and have time to become tender in the oven. Large, meaty drumsticks may need a few extra baking minutes. Using an instant read thermometer takes the guesswork out of knowing when they’re perfectly cooked.
Tips for Maximizing Flavor
Follow these simple tips for baked smoked turkey legs with the best flavor:
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Brine first. Soaking legs in a saltwater brine amps up moisture and seasoning. Brine for 4-12 hours before smoking.
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Pat legs dry. Blotting off excess brine helps them brown and crisp better.
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Use rubs. Coat legs with savory spice rubs before smoking for added flavor.
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Try glazes. Brush with sweet glazes near the end of smoking or once baked.
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Infuse flavors. Add wood chips, herbs, citrus, or chili peppers inside the cavity.
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Let rest before cutting. This essential step lets meat juices set so they don’t run out when cut.
With the right prep and cooking technique, your own baked smoked turkey legs will beat any you’ve tried before. Adjust wood smoke and oven time to pinpoint your ideal texture, from fall-off-the-bone tender to extra crispy. For best results, use a meat thermometer and focus on internal temperature rather than just timing. This ensures your turkey legs turn out perfectly smoked every time. Dive into these foolproof tips for serving up the most flavorful baked smoked turkey legs that will be the star of any meal.
How to Make Smoked Turkey Legs
Step 1: Prepare the simple quick brine by adding brown sugar, both salts, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and water. Bring to boil, stirring constantly until all ingredients have completed dissolved.
Step 2: Once dissolved, stir in ice and cool water to complete cool brine.
Step 3: Place drumsticks into a large container and pour the brine over meat until fully submerged. Let turkey legs soak in the bine in the fridge for 4-24 hours.
Step 4: Once the brine bath is completed, thoroughly rinse off each turkey leg. Pat dry with a paper towel.
Step 5: While the turkey legs are drying, preheat the smoker from 275°F to 300°F.
Step 6: Place turkey legs in the smoker and cook for 1.5 hours or until the legs reach an internal of a minimum of 167°F.
- Storage – Store any leftover turkey legs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheating – To reheat, place in a baking dish and cover with a loosely fitted piece of foil. Place in a 350°F oven and warm for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until heated through.
Smoking times vary from grill to grill. I use a Weber SmokeFire Pellet Grill, and it takes me about 120 minutes to completely cook. Ultimately you want to check the internal temperature and make sure an instant read thermometer registers to 165°F.
Smoked meat naturally has a pink hue, even when fully cooked. Normally there will be a pink ring around the meat with a deeper pink hue towards the center. If the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 165°F, then it is safe to consume.
These copycat smoked turkey legs are an easy and delicious main course to serve at a summertime backyard BBQ and elegant enough to serve at a special holiday dinner. If enjoying at a barbecue, pair with traditional sides like pasta salad, potato salad, macaroni salad or mac and cheese, and coleslaw! If serving for a more elegant occasion, serve with pumpkin spiced green beans and a Farro Salad for a completely delicious meal!
What ingredients do you need to make Smoked Turkey Drumsticks?
Make easy turkey drumsticks with simple ingredients, many you may already have in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand or need to grab from the store when you’re ready to brin and grill:
Turkey legs are available year-round in the meat counter, or at the butcher section, of most local grocery stores. If you are unable to locate, most stores will special order at no additional cost.
Feel free to use light or dark brown sugar. I tend to prefer the deeper, richer caramel flavors of dark in this recipe but if you prefer the sweeter taste of light brown, use that instead!
Note that we recommend using kosher salt for this recipe. You may use table salt instead, but you will want to half the amount.
Oven Baked Smoked Turkey Legs/Drums
FAQ
How long do I heat up an already smoked turkey leg?
How long to bake a fully cooked smoked turkey?
How long does it take for a smoked turkey leg to get tender?
How do you get crispy skin on smoked turkey legs?
How do you cook smoked turkey legs in the oven?
To cook already smoked turkey legs in the oven, you will need: Instructions: 1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. 3. Brush the turkey legs with olive oil. 4. Sprinkle the turkey legs with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
How long do you cook turkey legs in the oven?
Cover the baking sheet with foil and bake the turkey legs in the preheated oven for 1 hour. After 1 hour, remove the foil and continue baking the turkey legs for an additional 30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
How long do you smoke turkey legs?
Close smoker and smoke until turkey legs are tender and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees, about 1 ½ to 2 hours. Remove from smoker, tent with foil, and allow to rest 5 minutes before serving. Yield: This recipe makes 4 juicy Smoked Turkey Legs. The recipe easily doubles or triples for a crowd, so make a lot!
How do you cook smoked turkey legs in a slow cooker?
Add the smoked turkey legs to the slow cooker and coat them evenly with the mixture. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, or until the turkey legs reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Using tongs, carefully remove the turkey legs from the slow cooker and place them on a serving dish. Serve hot and enjoy!