stahl meyer smoked turkey legs

The Secret Behind Stahl Meyer’s Delicious Smoked Turkey Legs

Smoked turkey legs hold a special place in the hearts of many These juicy, flavorful treats are a staple at state fairs, theme parks, and backyard barbecues But not all smoked turkey legs are created equal. The ones from Stahl Meyer stand out from the rest. Their smoked turkey legs have developed quite the cult following over the years.

In this article, we’ll uncover the secrets behind Stahl Meyer’s mouthwatering smoked turkey legs. We’ll look at how they source and prepare the meat, their special seasoning and smoking process, and why their legs have become so popular. After reading this, you’ll understand exactly what makes these turkey legs so special.

Sourcing Top-Quality Turkey Legs

Like any great recipe, it all starts with using high-quality ingredients. Stahl Meyer sources only the freshest, best turkey legs to produce their famous smoked turkey legs. They use whole turkey legs with the drumstick and thigh still attached. This gives the legs more meatiness and juiciness compared to just a plain drumstick.

The turkeys themselves come from family farms in the Midwest. The birds are allowed to roam freely and grow naturally without antibiotics or added hormones. This produces a better-tasting, more nutritious turkey leg compared to a conventionally raised bird. Free-range turkeys also have stronger legs from all the walking around they do. This leads to more well-developed flavor and texture in the meat.

Once the turkey legs arrive at the Stahl Meyer facility, they are carefully inspected. Only legs meeting the company’s size, shape, and quality standards get used. This ensures each turkey leg looks appetizing and tastes delicious.

A Signature Blend of Seasonings

Before the legs go into the smoker, Stahl Meyer adds their special blend of seasonings. This seasoning mix includes:

• Sea salt
• Cracked black pepper
• Granulated garlic
• Granulated onion
• Paprika
• Brown sugar

The combination of spices and sweet brown sugar gives the turkey legs a signature flavor profile. The sea salt and spices add savory notes while the brown sugar balances it out with sweetness. The garlic and onion provide a roasted, aromatic quality. And the paprika lends its distinctive taste.

Stahl Meyer tinkered with the proportions over the years until landing on just the right formula. The blend permeates the meat to infuse it with flavor inside and out. The recipe is top-secret, so don’t bother asking exactly how much of each ingredient they use!

Low and Slow Smoking Process

The real magic happens when the seasoned legs go into one of Stahl Meyer’s custom smokers. They use an old-fashioned smoking technique that relies on low heat over many hours. The legs smoke at around 180 to 220 F for 8 to 12 hours depending on their size.

This low and slow method allows the smoke to gently penetrate the meat. It breaks down the connective tissues and collagen within the legs, rendering them ultra tender. The legs will jiggle from being so juicy and fall-off-the-bone tender when fully smoked.

Stahl Meyer uses a mix of hickory and oak woods to generate smoke. These hardwoods impart a rich, savory smoky flavor to the turkey. The smoke also gives the legs a lovely dark mahogany color.

The entire smoking process is carefully controlled. From the temperature to the smoke levels to the cooking times, every detail matters. Stahl Meyer’s pitmasters have perfected the technique after years of expertise. It takes skilled artisans to produce smoked turkey legs with such depth of flavor and ideal texture.

From the Farm to the Fair

Once fully smoked, the legs are quickly chilled then packaged. Keeping them fresh is imperative. Stahl Meyer’s legs are locally famous, but they also ship them to fans across the country. Careful packaging maintains quality and taste.

The smoked turkey legs first caused a sensation at local fairs and festivals. Fairgoers went crazy for their tender meat and rich, smoky flavor. They were different from the dried-out turkey legs usually served.

Word spread, and soon Stahl Meyer was supplying their smoked turkey legs to theme parks, carnivals, and stadiums. They developed a cult following of enthusiasts who craved the legs wherever they showed up.

What Makes Them So Popular

Stahl Meyer smoked turkey legs have earned legions of devoted fans over the decades. But what exactly makes them so crave-worthy?

It comes down to the combination of their premium turkey meat, signature seasoning, and time-honored smoking method. This produces turkey legs with an ideal meat-to-bone ratio, abundant juicy flavor, and irresistible smoky aroma.

The massive size adds to the appeal too. The hefty legs look impressive and provide a satisfying meal. Customers also love that the legs come individually packaged. This makes them easy to carry around an amusement park or fair while eating.

Of course, the nostalgia factor plays a role in their popularity as well. For many, biting into a perfectly smoked turkey leg brings back childhood memories of county fairs and theme park trips. It’s a treat associated with carefree fun.

Stahl Meyer Legs Available Online

In the past, the only way to enjoy Stahl Meyer’s famous smoked turkey legs was to visit a fair or theme park that sold them. But now you can order the legs straight from the source – no road trip required.

Stahl Meyer recently began selling their smoked turkey legs online through their website. This allows fans across the country to finally get their hands on the legs right at home. Now you can feast on tender, smoky turkey legs whenever you get a craving.

The process of ordering online is easy. Just visit the Stahl Meyer website, select your desired number of smoked turkey legs, and check out. The legs ship frozen with expedited shipping to arrive as fresh as possible.

Heating them up at home is simple. Thaw the legs in the fridge overnight. Then preheat the oven to 350 F and heat the legs for 25-30 minutes until hot and sizzling. You’ll have yourself some state fair-worthy turkey legs without leaving your kitchen.

Order Extras for Entertaining

With the holidays coming up, Stahl Meyer’s smoked turkey legs make fantastic appetizers for entertaining. Imagine serving them warm and fragrant at your next game day party or holiday gathering. They’ll be a sure hit with guests.

The online ordering allows you to buy them in bulk quantities – perfect for a crowd. Just throw the thawed legs on the grill or oven to reheat. Then arrange them on a platter for people to grab and enjoy. It makes for a fun, handheld snack to pass around.

You can also chop up any leftovers to add to soups, salads, pasta, rice bowls, and more. The smoky turkey meat puts a tasty spin on these dishes.

Beyond State Fairs and Theme Parks

It’s understandable if you associate turkey legs mostly with being eaten on a stick at amusement parks. But fans are getting creative with how they enjoy Stahl Meyer’s smoked legs beyond county fair fare.

The rendered, pull-apart meat works great in sliders, sandwiches, wraps, and tacos. You can chop, shred, or slice the meat for easy topping on bbq pizza, nachos, baked potatoes, and salad.

For a hearty dinner, braise sliced legs in tomato sauce, broth, or gravy. Or chop up the meat into chilis, soups, and casseroles. You can even use the bones and scraps to flavor stocks and beans.

However you choose to eat them, Stahl Meyer’s smoked turkey legs take the flavor to the next level. Their meticulous process produces the juiciest, most craveable smoked turkey legs around. We’re thankful we can now enjoy these legendary legs from the comfort of home thanks to their online ordering. So grab yourself some Stahl Meyer smoked turkey legs and dig in!