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 is a delicious flavorful type of turkey that is prepared by smoking the meat over an extended period of time. With its tender juicy texture and smoky aroma, smoked turkey makes for an amazing entrée for holiday feasts and special occasions. But one common question that comes up is – is smoked turkey already fully cooked and safe to eat as-is? Or does it require additional cooking before being served?
In this comprehensive guide, we will answer this smoked turkey cooking question and provide useful tips on preparing, storing, and serving smoked turkey.
A Smoked Turkey is Fully Cooked
The short answer is yes – a smoked turkey is already fully cooked during the smoking process. Smoking turkey involves exposing the meat to smoke and low heat (225°F – 250°F) for long periods, often 5-6 hours for a 12-15 lb turkey. This extended exposure slowly cooks the turkey all the way through to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
So when you purchase a smoked turkey from a store or restaurant you can be assured that it is already fully cooked and safe to eat immediately without any further cooking. The characteristic pink smoke ring on quality smoked turkey is a result of reactions between smoke compounds and meat not undercooking.
However, if you are smoking a turkey yourself at home, it is crucial to use a meat thermometer to verify it reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the thigh before removing it from the smoker. This guarantees it is cooked through and safe to consume.
Tips for Reheating and Serving Smoked Turkey
While smoked turkey can be eaten straight from the package, you may want to reheat it to your desired temperature, especially if serving for a large gathering. Here are some useful tips:
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Oven: Place turkey in a baking dish, tent with foil and reheat at 325°F until internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 10 minutes per pound. Baste occasionally with melted butter or turkey stock for added moisture.
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Sliced: Heat sliced smoked turkey on a sheet pan at 325°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes.
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Microwave: Not recommended. Microwaves often lead to uneven heating and meat drying out.
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Serving Ideas: Slice and serve with traditional sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce. Use in sandwiches, soups, salads, casseroles.
Proper Storage for Optimal Freshness
Like any cooked meat, proper storage is key to preserving smoked turkey’s quality and freshness:
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Store whole smoked turkeys tightly wrapped in foil or plastic wrap for up to 4 days refrigerated.
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Sliced or portioned smoked turkey keeps for up to 3 days refrigerated in air-tight containers.
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Freeze smoked turkey for longer term storage. Wrap tightly in plastic then foil to prevent freezer burn.
Following these simple guidelines will ensure your smoked turkey stays moist and retains its signature smokey flavor until you are ready to enjoy it to the fullest!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some lingering questions about cooking and serving smoked turkey? Here are answers to some of the most common queries:
How long does it take to smoke a turkey?
For a 12-15 lb turkey, about 5-6 hours smoked at 225° – 250°F. Larger birds take longer, around 30 minutes per pound.
Is it safe to eat smoked turkey cold?
Yes, smoked turkey is fully cooked during the smoking process and safe to eat cold straight out of the fridge.
Can you freeze and reheat smoked turkey?
Absolutely – freeze it for up to 3-4 months, then reheat thawed turkey to 165°F before serving.
What are the best woods for smoking turkey?
Hickory, apple, pecan, cherry, and maple all impart amazing flavor. Try different types of wood chips to find your favorite.
Should you brine a turkey before smoking?
Brining is highly recommended, as it helps keep the turkey incredibly juicy and enhances flavor.
What are good smoked turkey salad recipes?
Try using diced smoked turkey in place of deli meat in classic salads like chef, Cobb, or Caesar for a delicious twist.
What sides go well with smoked turkey?
Classic Thanksgiving favorites like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce complement smoked turkey wonderfully.
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.
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.