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.
Smoked turkey legs are a classic favorite at carnivals and theme parks, cherished for their juicy meat and rich, smoky flavor. While you may think smoking turkey legs requires special equipment, you can easily achieve similar results right in your own oven with just a few simple tricks.
In this complete guide you’ll learn step-by-step how to smoke turkey legs in the oven to get mouthwatering tender meat infused with a delicious smoky essence. With just a bit of preparation and the right technique, you can enjoy carnival-worthy turkey legs from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Benefits of Smoking Turkey Legs in the Oven
There are several advantages to using your oven rather than an outdoor smoker to make smoked turkey legs
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Convenience: No need to monitor temperature outside or worry about weather conditions. You can smoke indoors any time of year.
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Temperature control: Oven heat is precise and consistent compared to an outdoor smoker, ensuring properly cooked meat.
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Space Smoking turkey legs takes up minimal room in your oven compared to a large smoker
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Simplicity: You likely already have the basic tools needed for oven smoking like aluminum foil and a roasting pan. Very little specialty equipment required.
With the right prep and technique, your oven can infuse turkey legs with just as much rich, smoky flavor as traditional smoking methods.
Ingredients Needed
Smoking turkey legs in the oven only requires a small number of ingredients:
- Turkey legs or turkey drumsticks (about 2 pounds total)
- Wood chips or wood chunks (mesquite, hickory, applewood)
- Aluminum foil
- Salt, pepper, spices (if using a rub)
- Olive oil or cooking spray
The key is finding quality turkey legs without excess water or preservatives, which can hinder smoke absorption. Opt for free range or organic turkey legs from a butcher if possible.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to smoke turkey legs in the oven to perfection:
1. Prepare the Turkey Legs
Rinse the turkey legs under cold water and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Use a fork to poke several holes all over the legs to help the smoke penetrate deep into the meat.
Apply any dry rub ingredients like salt, pepper, paprika or garlic powder and massage them into the skin. The rub adds extra flavor as the turkey legs smoke.
2. Soak the Wood Chips
Place your desired quantity of wood chips or chunks in a bowl and cover with water. Soak for at least 30 minutes prior to smoking. This prevents the wood from burning up too quickly.
Good wood choices are hickory, mesquite or applewood. Go with a harder wood like hickory or mesquite if you want a more intense smoky flavor.
3. Set Up the Roasting Pan
Line a roasting pan with heavy duty aluminum foil and coat it lightly with oil or cooking spray. This prevents the turkey legs from sticking.
Next, drain the wood chips well and spread them evenly over the base of the foil-lined pan.
4. Smoke the Turkey Legs
Place the seasoned turkey legs directly on top of the wood chips in the roasting pan.
Seal the pan very tightly with more foil to trap in smoke. Poke several small holes in the foil just large enough to allow a little air flow.
Bake at 250°F for 2-3 hours until the turkey legs reach an internal temperature of 165°F. The trapped smoke permeates the meat, infusing it with flavor.
5. Finish on the Grill (Optional)
For crispy skin, finish the smoked turkey legs on a hot grill for 5-10 minutes until charred. This extra step replicates fair-style turkey legs even more closely.
6. Rest and Serve
Allow the smoked turkey legs to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. Slice into the meat to check for doneness. The meat should be very tender but still moist.
Serve the turkey legs hot, at room temperature or chilled. Delicious on their own, or pair them with classic sides like cornbread, coleslaw, beans or potato salad.
Oven Smoking Tips
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Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the thickest part of a turkey leg. This prevents overcooking.
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Let the turkey legs rest before carving so juices can redistribute for moister meat.
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Avoid peeking under the foil too frequently during smoking as this releases smoke and moisture.
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For intense smoky flavor, go heavier on the wood chip quantity. Two cups or more may be needed.
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Try adding herbs like rosemary or sage to the wood chips for extra aromatic flavor.
Enjoy Your Smoked Turkey Legs
With this simple oven smoking method, you can now enjoy tender, juicy turkey legs packed with rich smoky flavor anytime. Adjust the technique to your liking by trying different woods, dry rubs and smoking times. In no time, you’ll be serving up carnival-worthy turkey legs to impress family and friends without ever leaving home.
As you can see, smoking turkey legs in the oven is an easy, foolproof process that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. Ditch the specialty gear and use your existing oven tools to become a turkey leg smoking pro right from your own kitchen.
How many people will one turkey leg feed?
Turkey legs are huge but they also have a big bone running through them. The amount of meat on the bone is still quite a bit but not as much as you think. 1 turkey leg will feed 1 hungry person or 2 not as hungry people.
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.
Oven Baked Smoked Turkey Legs/Drums
FAQ
Should I wrap my turkey legs in foil?
How do you smoke a turkey and finish it in the oven?
What temperature does a turkey leg fall off the bone at?
How long does it take for a smoked turkey leg to get tender?